Good going, N.Y.
Virus deaths, hospitalizations lowest since March: gov
Gov. Cuomo, applauding most New Yorkers for heeding the COVID-19 protocols, announced Saturday that the state’s coronavirus hospitalizations and average threeday death toll just hit the lowest levels since midMarch.
The governor said the hospitalization number dipped below 800 for the first time since March 18, while the average toll of seven deaths over 72 hours was the lowest since the eve of St. Patrick’s Day.
Cuomo credited the state’s residents for taking the necessary steps in limiting the potentially lethal virus over the last four months.
“Throughout this pandemic, we’ve made progress by recognizing that state and local governments can’t fight the virus on their own,” the governor said. “The efforts of everyday New Yorkers to socially distance, wear masks and wash their hands are central to our ability to slow the spread and save lives.”
The good news came with a few words of warning from the governor as the state continues to rebound from its crippling coronavirus toll. The total deaths statewide are approaching 25,000, with six fatalities reported in the latest numbers.
And the number of people diagnosed with COVID-19 in New York State continued to climb, as another 730 confirmed cases boosted the total to 401,029 — more than the populations of cities like Buffalo.
Nassau County, with 42,267 positive cases, reported the second-highest number of victims statewide, followed by neighboring Suffolk County with 41,987 cases.
“As we allow ourselves to celebrate some good news … I urge residents to stay New York tough and not give up the ground we’ve worked so hard to gain together, especially in the face of rising cases throughout the country and compliance issues here at home,” said Cuomo.
The number of New Yorkers identified as positive for the virus was just above 1% out of the 69,203 tests conducted statewide Friday, the governor added. In the Big Apple, there are now 218,710 positive tests after an additional 307 were confirmed in the latest testing.
The 799 patients hospitalized Friday marked a drop of 27 from a day earlier, with the number of newly admitted patients at 75 — down 12 from the previous 24 hours.
The governor tweeted out an additional warning as the weekend arrived and New Yorkers prepared to enjoy whatever sun appears through the raindrops brought by Tropical Storm Fay.
“The virus doesn’t take the weekend off,” the governor advised. “Wear a mask. Stay 6 feet apart. Wash your hands with soap. Be smart. It’s up to us, New York.”