NY gets drop on COVID
State infection rate hits a new low: Cuomo
The infection rate for the coronavirus in New York state has plummeted to its lowest level since the start the pandemic, Gov. Cuomo said Monday.
Of the 62,031 tests reported in the state Sunday, only 408, or 0.66 percent, came up positive for COVID-19.
It was the 17th straight day with a positivity rate of less than 1 percent.
There have been 430,415 total positive cases found to date.
“That is the lowest infection rate that we have had since we started this, so that is really great news,” Cuomo said at a COVID-19 press briefing in New Hyde Park, LI.
“It’s not just that the 0.66 as one day is great news. It’s consistent with what we’ve seen all along. If you’ve been looking at our infection rate over the last couple of weeks, it has been below 1 percent. So it’s not an anomaly.
“We’ve been doing a good job controlling this virus. Congratulations to the people of New York.”
The state Health Department figures also showed that 482 people were hospitalized for the virus on Sunday and seven died.
New York has recorded a total of 32,883 confirmed and presumed virus-related deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University.
Cuomo also signed a package of executive orders aimed at streamline voting in November’s election, following a June primary tally that resulted in 25 percent of absentee ballots getting tossed out.
The orders build off several bills signed last week, including one allowing voters to cast absentee ballots if they fear infection from in-person voting.
“All board of elections [need to] make sure they have everything in place, the staff in place, to count the ballots as soon as possible, and the board of elections have to report staffing plans and any needs for additional staff,” Cuomo said.
“If they don’t have the staff, tell us. Tell us before, so you can get the staff, because you have to be able to count the ballots. You have to be able to tabulate the vote. We want it done, and we want it done right, but we want it done timely.”
Other updates shared by Cuomo:
The State Liquor Authority conducted 3,964 checks of restaurants and pubs over the weekend and issued 34 violations of COVID-19 safety rules. Inspectors have suspended the liquor licenses of more than 150 establishments for flouting health rules during the pandemic.
Health officials are setting up COVID-19 testing sites at La Guardia and JFK airports.
Beginning Sept. 21, students in “low-risk” school sports like tennis, soccer, cross country, field hockey and swimming can compete. They will be restricted to playing only in specified regions until Oct. 19.
Students who play higher-risk contact sports can start practicing on Sept. 21 but likely won’t be allowed to compete until Dec. 31.