ALBANY — The number of New Yorkers hospitalized with coronavirus fell to 576 on Friday, the lowest since March 17, according to Gov. Cuomo.
The governor, who spent the week touting a crackdown on bars and restaurants caught flouting COVID-19 safety measures, urged residents to take the virus seriously despite the state’s dwindling cases.
“So much of our ability to fight this destructive virus is dependent on what each of us does in day-to-day life, and social distancing, wearing masks and washing hands make a huge difference as we stay New York Smart,” Cuomo said in a statement. “I ask New Yorkers to continue practicing those good habits and closely following state guidance, and I urge local governments to enforce that guidance.”
Ten fewer people were being treated for the virus at medical centers than a day earlier, according to the governor’s office. Of the 576 hospitalized, 140 are in Intensive Care Units.
The state reported only 644 positives after receiving 68,869 test results back on Thursday, a 0.93% infection rate. Another five New Yorkers died from the virus, Cuomo noted.
While New York’s numbers are looking good, cases continue to rise in states across the U.S. There are currently 34 states, along with D.C. and Puerto Rico, included on a travel advisory mandating visitors to the Empire State quarantine for 14 days.
Cuomo also warned the state has seen a rise in infection rates among younger New Yorkers, hence his crackdown on bars and restaurants that fail to disperse crowds of maskless drinkers ignoring social distancing rules.
In all, the state has suspended liquor licenses for 34 establishments since July 24, when the governor created a state task force to catch violators following complaints that local authorities weren’t doing enough.
