What does rise in COVID-19 cases mean for your holiday plans?

After weeks of numbers going down, then kind of making a plateau, the numbers are inching back up. This has some people uneasy to get together with friends and family in just a matter of weeks.

The statewide weekly average of COVID positive results is up more than 10% in the last three days alone.

It's a trend seen in the Hudson Valley, across the country, and abroad - where half of the states in the U.S. are seeing a higher number of positive cases than the week before.

The surge comes from a combination of factors, according to health experts and doctors.

Spending more time indoors, the Delta variant, and waning immunity from the original COVID-19 shots.

Infectious disease expert Dr. Harish Moorjani said while we're making progress fighting the pandemic -- we're not out of the woods yet.

"COVID-appropriate behavior in any indoor meeting is an absolute must until this pandemic comes to a close," says Moorjani.

So, what does this mean for your holiday plans?

Dr. Moorjani said all COVID-19 precautious should be taken when necessary.

He adds that it's extremely unlikely for a group of fully vaccinated people to spread the virus.

"Do not let your guard down whether you're meeting people that are vaccinated or unvaccinated," he says.

Moorjani adds the best way to fight the spike in cases is to get vaccinated.

One of the most interesting trends is that states in the northeast and west are seeing higher levels of infection -- as more people naturally head indoors and the weather gets worse.

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