New clusters of COVID-19 are appearing in Ulster County as the Mid-Hudson region advances into Phase 4 of the state's reopening process.

According to County Executive Patrick Ryan, this is a pinnacle time for residents to exert some caution.

"Although we have made a lot of progress over the last month, especially against COVID, we are really at a make or break moment right now," Ryan said.

The county says it saw three days of newly reported cases toward the end of last week, 45 cases in all. Cases have been found in a few different areas; among them are recent graduation parties in Marlborough, a youth softball team, a manufacturing site, two state prisons, and an apple orchard.

Ryan also highlighted some earlier international pandemic models to make a point about infection rates going forward.

"Until we have a vaccine, we are very likely to see this roller coaster type dynamic of multiple, hopefully small, peaks of COVID resurgence," Ryan said.

Ryan says hospitalizations are still low right now, though he says those numbers can lag behind new cases.