NEW YORK (1010 WINS) – New York state's COVID-19 hospitalizations continued to decline this weekend, reaching their lowest level since Christmas Day, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Sunday.
Hospitalizations declined by 155 patients to 7,649, the lowest since Dec. 25. The number of patients in intensive care also declined by 22 to 1,459.
Cuomo said the state's one-day positivity rate dropped to 4%, the lowest one-day positivity rate since Nov. 27.
The seven-day positivity rate also declined to 4.5%, the lowest seven-day average since Dec. 2, Cuomo said.
"It's no accident that our positivity and hospitalizations are continuing to decline. This is happening because of the dedication and discipline shown by New Yorkers," the governor said in a statement. "While we are encouraged by these declining numbers, we must remain vigilant."
The "post-holiday surge" in cases seen after Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Eve has declined in recent weeks, although health officials are concerned Super Bowl Sunday gatherings could bring more cases.
"I urge New Yorkers to enjoy the Super Bowl but be smart and don't do anything to undo our progress: wear a mask, practice social distancing and avoid gatherings," Cuomo warned in his statement.
The state reported another 10,025 positive cases out of 250,892 tests conducted Saturday.
There were 5,282 new cases in New York City, according to the state. The city's seven-day positivity rate rose slightly, from 5.09% to 5.13%.
There were another 143 deaths statewide, bringing New York's death toll to 36,224, according to Cuomo. Sixty-three of the new deaths were in the five boroughs.
