Gov. Kathy Hochul says to prepare for a January surge of COVID-19 cases.

Over 67,000 New Yorkers tested positive for COVID in the last 24 hours with a 18.5% positivity rate. That's in comparison to 40,700 on Tuesday. According to the state dashboard, that's a 65% jump overnight.

The seven-day positivity rate for the Mid-Hudson region sits at 13.72% A total of 97 New Yorkers died on Tuesday due to the virus, with at least eight of them from the Hudson Valley.

More than 350,000 people were tested Tuesday as the post-Christmas, pre-New Year's race to get a test is on in New York. Hospitalizations jumped about 10% and are approaching the heights of this past January when the vaccine was first rolling out. The state is preparing for a January surge in cases and hospitalizations in light of these numbers.

Hochul is encouraging school districts to begin a test-to-stay program as early as Monday when students return from holiday break. She said some schools will test as kids enter the building, while others will send kits home on day one.

The governor says to try to avoid large indoor gatherings for New Year's celebrations.

She says the surge is connected to families traveling for the holidays.

Hochul is urging people to wear N95 masks and to get tested.