NY reports 9,702 new cases, state 'closely monitoring hospital capacity' as hospitalizations rise to 4,442

Medical workers deliver a patient to the Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn on December 02, 2020 in New York City.
Medical workers deliver a patient to the Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn on December 02, 2020 in New York City. Photo credit Spencer Platt/Getty Images

NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- New York state reported 9,702 new coronavirus cases on Sunday as hospitalizations increased to more than 4,400 patients.

The 9,702 new cases were out of 205,832 tests conducted Saturday, for a statewide positivity rate of 4.71%.

The state’s positivity rate has dipped below 5% the past two days after rising to 5.41% on Friday. New cases also dropped below 10,000 for the first time in two days on Sunday.

New York City reported 3,127 new cases, according to state data, which differs from the city’s data. Saturday’s positivity rate for the city was 3.6%, while the seven-day average positivity was 4.01%.

According to Mayor Bill de Blasio, there were 2,264 new cases, 165 new hospitalizations and a seven-day positivity rate of 5.12% in the five boroughs Sunday.

Hospitalizations continued to climb statewide, rising by 124 to 4,442, including 648 newly admitted patients.

The number of patients in intensive care rose by 25 to 850, while the number of intubated patients increased by 29 to 464.

“We're closely monitoring hospital capacity and have implemented triggers to ensure hospitals have what they need,” Cuomo said in a statement Sunday.

The state reported 56 more deaths, bringing the death toll to 27,149.

“COVID-19 is spreading, and it affects all New Yorkers, Upstate and downstate,” Cuomo warned, as he urged residents to remain disciplined even amid hope that a vaccine is coming.

Featured Image Photo Credit: Spencer Platt/Getty Images