Despite having the highest number of coronavirus cases in the state, Gov. Andrew Cuomo does not appear ready to pull the trigger on moving parts of the Western New York region to red or orange zones.
According to the state's guidelines, if an area has a rolling average positivity rate of more than 4% for 10 days, it's eligible to become a red zone. In addition, if that same area has 10 or more new daily cases per 100,000 residents on a seven-day average, it's likely to get bumped up.
With the most recent rolling average for a positivity rate at 7.2% percent, Western New York meets the criteria to be a red zone.
Cuomo made no mention of making any such moves during his most recent phone call with the media on Tuesday. He did, however, talk about the impending distribution of a vaccine.
Cuomo says while there is a light at the end of the tunnel. It's not going to be easy. And it certainly won't be quick.
"Distributing the vaccine will be the greatest governmental undertaking since COVID began. It is much more ambitious than COVID testing, which thus far has been the most ambitious governmental operation undertaken since I have been in government," said Cuomo.
The governor says any experts and health leaders he's spoken with say it may be next summer before the vaccine is distributed to everyone.