VESTAL, NY (WSKG) - New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s office has removed Steuben County from its list of COVID-19 microclusters. It had been labeled a yellow zone.
Such zones face restrictions such as limits on gatherings, schools and businesses. They range from yellow to orange to red. The latter is the most severe.
The microcluster, which was first identified on Oct. 21, had covered much of the Steuben's southeastern corner. It included the city of Corning, towns of Corning, Erwin, Addison, Campbell and several villages. It also dipped into Chemung County, covering part of Big Flats.
Cuomo officials said the area was removed from yellow zone status after a decline in positivity rates. According to the governor, yellow zones in rural areas must see a daily positivity rate below 4 percent before the state can lift restrictions.
Meanwhile, as cases are rising in Tioga County, the Cuomo Administration has declared a cautionary yellow zone in the Waverly-area. Seven-day average positivity rates have risen above 4 percent and hospital admissions have increased over the last ten days.
Regional microclusters remain in parts of Broome and Chemung Counties.