The top Republican in the Senate is urging eligible New Yorkers to get vaccinated.

Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell is pleaded with unvaccinated Americans to ignore "demonstrably bad advice" and get a COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible.

"If there is anybody out there willing to listen, get vaccinated,” McConnell said.

With the more contagious delta variant spreading and fewer people signing up to get vaccinated the Republican from Kentucky fears the nation is going to be in trouble again.

McConnell is worried this fall could be just as bad as the fall of 2020.

"These shots need to get in everybody’s arms as rapidly as possible or we’re going to be back in a situation in the fall that we don’t yearn for — that we went through last year. This is not complicated,” McConnel said.

McConnel's plea comes after the CDC director said the battle with COVID is becoming a "pandemic of the unvaccinated."

McConnel added he didn't think it would be this difficult to get most Americans vaccinated.

"It never occurred to me we’d have difficulty getting Americans to get the shot," McConnell said.

On Wednesday, Gov. Andrew Cuomo updated New Yorkers on the state's progress combating COVID-19 and announced 1.41 percent of tests came back positive in the previous 24 hours.

"Getting vaccinated is more crucial now than it's ever been before. As the Delta variant makes its way through the nation, it is the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones against the virus," Cuomo said. "The vaccine is safe, effective, free and accessible. There's no excuse not to get yours as soon as possible. This is steadily becoming a pandemic amongst the unvaccinated - utilize the weapon we have."

The state's 7-day COVID percent positive rate has increased to 1.41 percent. According to Cuomo, 74 percent of all New Yorkers 18 and older have received at least one vaccine while 67.5 percent have completed their vaccine series.

Nearly 62 percent of all eligible New Yorkers have at least one vaccine dose.

Keep Scrolling:

38 'Most Wanted' in New York

Authorities across New York State, including the FBI, have identified these people as its "Most Wanted Fugitives." Officials ask for help in finding them but warn they should be considered "armed and dangerous."

LOOK: Answers to 30 common COVID-19 vaccine questions

While much is still unknown about the coronavirus and the future, what is known is that the currently available vaccines have gone through all three trial phases and are safe and effective. It will be necessary for as many Americans as possible to be vaccinated in order to finally return to some level of pre-pandemic normalcy, and hopefully these 30 answers provided here will help readers get vaccinated as soon they are able.

Highest-Rated Airbnb in New York Found in Hudson Valley

You won't have to leave the Hudson Valley if you want to enjoy New York's highest-rated Airbnb. 

LOOK: Here Are the 25 Best Places to Live in New York State

Stacker compiled a list of the best places to live in New York using data from Niche. Niche ranks places to live based on a variety of factors including cost of living, schools, health care, recreation, and weather. Cities, suburbs, and towns were included. Listings and images are from realtor.com.

On the list, there's a robust mix of offerings from great schools and nightlife to high walkability and public parks. Some areas have enjoyed rapid growth thanks to new businesses moving to the area, while others offer glimpses into area history with well-preserved architecture and museums. Keep reading to see if your hometown made the list.

 

More From 96.9 WOUR