Albany, N.Y. - Governor Cuomo holding a briefing today announced a significant jump in COVID positivity rates in the state.
He said statewide the rate is 7.83% without microclusters, with its 9.66 %. He said they are looking into the numbers but believe that the number of cases didn't go up but rather the number of tests over the weekend went down and those who got tested were symptomatic.
He said they are focusing on the Mohawk Valley, Finger Lakes, and the Capital Region which have the highest positivity rates. Those three regions have the highest positivity rates in the state.
He said 114 people died in the state in the past 24 hours.
Cuomo also said he is signing three executive orders.
- Withhold scheduled pay raises for state commissioners and elected officials
- Extend the residential eviction moratorium through May 1st, 2021
- Impose penalties for health care providers found guilty of vaccination fraud
Cuomo said, "there will be people who break the law." New York State police are investigating a possible vaccine fraud case and it is likely to be turned over to State Attorney General Letitia James. The Governor said the penalty to anyone participating in fraud regarding vaccines would be loss of their state licenses and a one million dollar fine.