Cuomo: Stay vigilant despite drop

Hospitalizations down across New York state

ALBANY, N.Y. — The number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 in New York state dropped to 743 and 11 more people died, and Gov. Andrew Cuomo urged residents Saturday not to let down their guard.

Daily statewide statistics show New York with 754 newly confirmed cases, representing 1.08 percent of all tests performed. The number of people hospitalized Friday was down 22 from the previous day.

New York, once a pandemic hotspot, has so far avoided a surge in new cases like those plaguing other states in the South and West. But the Democratic governor has repeatedly warned New Yorkers could be at risk if they abandon social distancing and other practices adopted to check the spread of the virus.

“(W)e remain alarmed by spikes in much of the country and the risk of a lack of compliance at home as the state pursues a phased, data-driven reopening,” Cuomo said in a release.

Cuomo has been particularly critical of bars flouting outbreak control regulations and large, festive crowds along city streets. He announced a crackdown Thursday on bars and restaurants across the state.

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio tweeted Saturday about a news report describing block-party like crowds in Queens. He called it “unacceptable” and promised to make sure city restaurants comply with rules.

“New Yorkers have made too many sacrifices to fight COVID-19,” the Democratic mayor said on Twitter. “We can’t let up now.”

Cuomo announced Friday that New York City is set to begin a scaled-down version of the fourth phase of the statewide reopening process Monday that will allow movie and TV crews to film, zoos to welcome reduced crowds and professional sports teams to play to empty seats. However, the governor said the city can’t have “any additional indoor activity” in places like malls and museums.

Under that guidance, the Wildlife Conservation Society said Saturday it plans to open outdoor exhibits at the Bronx Zoo, the Central Park Zoo and its other two zoos in the city, but will postpone the planned reopening of the New York Aquarium.

More than 25,000 people have died statewide since the outbreak began.

Frank Franklin II The Associated Press Children wearing protective masks play Thursday at the High Line Park in New York. The High Line had been closed the past few months during the pandemic.