NEW YORK (WBEN) -- New York state reported more than 5,000 coronavirus cases on Saturday—the second day in a row it has topped that number, a level not seen since the peak in April.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo said there were 5,388 positive cases out of 184,162 tests conducted statewide Friday. That's a positivity rate of 2.92%.
On Thursday, the state reported 5,401 cases, 2.65% of the 203,721 tests conducted that day.
The positivity rate in the Erie yellow zone Friday was 8.17% and the seven day rolling average is 7.45%. In all of Erie County the Friday rate was 6.9% and the seven day rolling average is the same. In all of Western New York the positivity rate Friday was 4.6%.
Before this week, New York state had not reported more than 5,000 new COVID cases a day since April 25, when 5,902 test results came back positive, health department data shows.
Across the Hudson on Saturday, New Jersey reported the most cases in a single day since the pandemic began—a new record of 4,395.
The U.S. also hit a new single-day record on Saturday of 184,514 cases, according to Johns Hopkins University.
"We are seeing a rising tide of COVID nationally and internationally. The rate of increase is less in New York, but it is an increase," Cuomo said in a statement Saturday. "We don't have the same problem that other states have, but we're seeing an increase and the increase is continuing."
Hospitalizations in New York state, meanwhile, rose by 51 to 1,788, including 259 newly admitted patients.
The number of patients in intensive care increased by 36 to 367, while the number of patients intubated rose by 9 to 146.
There were also 24 more COVID-related deaths in New York. At least 26,103 people have now died in the state since the start of the pandemic.
In his statement, Cuomo suggested that more restrictions could be coming if the surge isn't reined in. On Friday, the state began requiring bars, restaurants and gyms to close at 10 p.m. Private indoor and outdoor gatherings are also now limited to 10 people.
"We know the factors that contribute to spread, like COVID fatigue, winter, restaurants, gyms, and living room family spread. What's going to happen? Will we shut down and will we have more restrictions?" the governor said.
"Look at the numbers, and if the numbers are increasing and if they're not slowing, then you have to restrict activity. Our actions today determine our positivity rate tomorrow, so follow the public health law - wear a mask and adhere to gathering limits, and localities need to do the enforcement," he said.
