NEW YORK (1010 WINS) – Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Thursday that coronavirus hospitalizations in New York had again reached their lowest level yet, but he warned the state is seeing an alarming increase in the rates of infected young people.
Hospitalizations in the state were at 706, the lowest level since March 18, the governor said.
Thirteen people died from the virus statewide on Wednesday, slightly more than the nine that died on Tuesday, but the three-day average of deaths was down to eight after peaking at 763 in April.
The state tallied 811 new cases on Wednesday—1.16 percent of the 69,698 people tested across the state that day.
"All the numbers are good," Cuomo said at a briefing Thursday.
"Our threat is now from other states that were not ready," the governor said, adding that 39 U.S. states are now seeing an increase in the virus.
Cuomo said New York was monitoring a second threat as well—rising COVID rates in young people.
Over the past two weeks, the COVID rate for New Yorkers in their 20s jumped from 9.9 percent to 13.2 percent.
By comparison, the rate for ages 11 to 20 dropped from 3.2 percent to 2.5 percent over those two weeks, while the rate for ages 31 to 40 dropped from 12.9 percent to 12.3 percent. The rate for ages 41 to 50 dropped from 10.6 percent to 8.9 percent, while the rate for ages 50+ declined from 62.2 percent to 62.0 percent.
"If you look at the age brackets, it's basically flat or down except for one group—21 to 30 years old," Cuomo said. "It has ticked up four points. That is a significant increase in a short period of time."
Cuomo said the cause of the increase was young people hanging out or partying in groups this summer while not wearing masks or social distancing.
"Young people, this is not the time to fight for our right to party," the governor said. "You have the right to party, but let's be smart about it. There's an attitude that young people are immune. You are not … The virus can kill you."
Cuomo said local governments need to do more to enforce state laws limiting groups at bars and restaurants. He said the State Police will lead a task force with the State Liquor Authority "to investigate and shut down establishments not complying with safety standards."
The governor also released a new PSA Thursday urging young people to take the virus more seriously.
