Active cases rise again in Ulster, Dutchess.

Dutchess and Ulster counties reported Sunday yet another spike in their COVID-19 active cases among its residents, according to the county governments’ online dashboards.

Ulster on Sunday reported 1,925 active cases of COVID-19, up 61 from the 1,863 the county last reported on Friday, March 26. The county did not update its online dashboard on Saturday.

The Ulster total is sharply higher than its recent low of 1,488, reached on March 1, but also well below its peak of 2,622, set on Jan. 30.

Ulster County reported Sunday that 73 of its residents were diagnosed with COVID-19 among the most recent 1,652 to be tested, a positivity rate of 4.5%.

Ulster reported on Friday it has had 12,887 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 10,720 recoveries since March 2020.

Dutchess County said Sunday that its active cases rose from 1,421 reported on Saturday to 1,436 on Sunday, for an increase of 15.

Dutchess also reported no additional COVID-19 related deaths, with that total remaining at 423 since the pandemic began in March 2020.

The county also said Sunday that 58 residents were hospitalized with COVID-19, unchanged from the day before.

Dutchess, like Ulster, has been experiencing a weekslong rise in its number of active COVID-19 cases. The number peaked at 2,576 on Jan. 16 and then fell to 713 by Feb. 15 before starting a steady increase.

Dutchess has had 25,530 confirmed cases of COVID-19 since the local outbreak began. Its latest seven-day average of positive test results is 4.99%.

Last Thursday, Ulster County Health Commissioner Dr. Carol Smith said the ability of the coronavirus to spread more rapidly could be one reason the Mid-Hudson Valley is experiencing an increase in active cases.

That, coupled with fatigue from dealing with the virus for a year, could become problematic if people let their guard down and stop wearing masks,