EPICENTER NO MORE
Death toll in state drops to 5, lowest since pandemic began
NEW YORK » Five people died Saturday from the coronavirus in New York state, the lowest daily death toll the state has reported since March 15.
Saturday’s total compared to 13 fatalities the day before as the number of fatalities caused by the virus continues to plummet in the state. During the peak of the pandemic in April, nearly 800 people were dying a day from coronavirus.
“We are on the exact opposite end,” Gov. Andrew Cuomo said in an interview with NBC’s “Meet the Press.”
New York still leads the nation in COVID-19 deaths with nearly 25,000, according to the state’s official tally, which doesn’t include people who likely died of the disease.
Meanwhile, fewer than 900 patients were hospitalized Saturday for COVID-19, down from a peak of over 18,000 in April.
The governor cautioned that the numbers could spike again if New Yorkers let down their guard down and fail to follow social distancing and mask-wearing requirements.
“I’m now afraid of the spread coming from other states because we are one country and people travel,” Cuomo said. “I’m afraid the infection rate in the other states will come back to New York and raise that rate again.”
Confirmed daily infections in the U.S. hit an all-time high of 40,000 on Friday, prompting officials in Texas and Florida to reverse course and close down bars in their states again.
U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar stressed that “the window is closing” for the U.S. to take action to effectively curb the coronavirus.
As the Capital Region prepares to enter Phase 4 of the state’s economic
reopening plan, the numbers remained encouraging.
Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy said there are 1,890 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 to date, an increase of two since Saturday. Additionally, there are 182 people under mandatory quarantine. The five-day average for new daily positive cases rose slightly to 5.2 from 4.8.
There are 39 active cases of COVID-19. In addition, 5,703 individuals have completed quarantine, with 1,854 of them having tested positive and recovered.
There are currently four individuals hospitalized, up from three from Saturday. The hospitalization rate is at 0.21%, up slightly from 0.15% yesterday. There is one individual currently in the Intensive
Care Unit. The death toll for Albany County remained at 121.
In Phase 4, the final phase of Cuomo’s plan, schools, and low-risk arts, entertainment, and recreation businesses can reopen with social distancing required. Gatherings of up to 50 people will also be allowed.
Movie theaters, shopping malls, or gyms, however, are not part of Phase 4, slated to begin for the Capital Region on Wednesday.
McCoy said he is distributing two gallons of hand sanitizer to businesses who have filed their health and safety plan affirmation statements. Anyone interested can go to the back of the Times Union Center by taking Market Street, follow the ramp to the right and call (518) 487-2023 upon arrival.
Distribution runs from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.