State officials confirmed 62,526 new COVID-19 cases across New York on Sunday, the latest in a surge of cases after the holidays.

The latest numbers from Gov. Kathy Hochul's office show 8,773 people are in the hospital with the virus and more than 1,100 of those patients are in the ICU. 

"New Yorkers returning to schools and workplaces on the first weekday of 2022 should take every possible precaution to stop the spread of COVID-19," Hochul said in a statement. "We all know the tools that keep us safe: vaccines, boosters, masks and tests. Let's all do our part and take these common-sense precautions, so New York can defeat the winter surge and come back stronger than before."

Sadly, another 83 people died from COVID across New York on Sunday.

The state's daily positivity rate average is 22.69%, while New York's seven-day positivity average is now 20.87%. Long Island continues to lead New York with a positivity rate of over 24%.

The state's vaccination status continues to go in the right direction, with just under 70% of all New Yorkers being fully vaccinated.  

More than 600,000 people were vaccinated this week.