NEW YORK (1010 WINS) – Gov. Andrew Cuomo had more good news on the COVID-19 front Sunday, saying New York’s numbers “continue to hit record lows” as the state is on the verge of hitting a vaccinations-related benchmark to ease most remaining restrictions.
The state’s single-day positivity was 0.35% on Saturday, a record low since the pandemic began, according to the governor.
The statewide seven-day positivity was at 0.42%. That’s the lowest of any U.S. state, according to Cuomo, who cited a Johns Hopkins University database. The seven-day rate has declined for 69 consecutive days.
“New York's COVID-19 numbers continue to hit record lows and New Yorkers are ready to return to normal, and that's why we're reducing restrictions and providing vaccination incentives across New York state,” Cuomo said in a statement.
Last week, the governor said most remaining restrictions in the state would be lifted once 70% of New Yorkers 18 years and older have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
"When we hit 70% we will get back to life as normal, or as normal as you can be post-COVID," Cuomo said.
On Sunday, the share of New York adults who’d received at least one vaccine dose was 69.7%, according to the CDC, which showed 61% of adults in the state had completed their vaccine series.
Once the state hits a 70% vaccination rate, Cuomo said industry-specific guidelines like capacity restrictions and social distancing requirements will become optional.
However, some places, including large-scale event venues, pre-K to 12 schools and public transit, will have to continue to follow state guidelines until more New Yorkers are vaccinated, the governor said.
Unvaccinated New Yorkers will also still be responsible for wearing a mask and maintaining six feet of social distance, per CDC guidelines, according to Cuomo.
So far, 20,061,871 vaccine doses have been administered in the state, including 581,888 over the past seven days.
The state reported 383 COVID-19 cases and eight deaths on Saturday; 183 cases and three deaths were in New York City. Statewide hospitalizations declined by 51 patients to 630.
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