Photo Courtesy of Don Pollard/Office of the Governor
“As data on infection rates and hospitalizations continue to improve, we must begin taking steps to jumpstart our economic recovery as long as public health can be protected,” Gov. Cuomo said.
By Michael V. Cusenza
New York State’s seven-day average COVID-19 positivity rate has declined for 23 straight days, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Sunday.
“On COVID, the post-holiday surge reduction continues. That is an awkward phrase, but I don’t have a better one. We had a post-holiday surge. The surge has reduced and the reduction of the surge continues. The positivity rate is down to 4.4. The state’s positivity rate has declined for 23 straight days, which is a significant trend; 138 New Yorkers passed away; hospitalization is 7,976. That’s down 200, but please remember the New Yorkers who passed away in your thoughts and prayers. Thank the essential workers and hospital workers who went through another surge after a very, very long year,” Cuomo said. “Positivity seven-day average: Long Island, number one: 6.3. Mid-Hudson, number two: 6.1. North Country, 5.8. That’s a different place for the North Country. New York City: 5.2. Western New York: 5.1. That’s a different place for Western New York. Capital Region: 5. Mohawk Valley: 4.6. Finger Lakes: 3.9, 3.9 Finger Lakes. That’s a different position for the Finger Lakes, but that’s a good, better position. 3.1 Central New York. 2.1. Southern Tier. Southern Tier, congratulations. They had that spike, they got it, they turned around. Looks like the Finger Lakes even understands what they’re dealing with now. Positivity by borough: Bronx is highest, 6.8, in New York City. Queens 5.6, Brooklyn 5.5, Staten Island 4.9. Looks like Staten Island understands what they’re dealing with. That’s a turnaround for Staten Island. Denial is not a life strategy. Manhattan’s still 3.4. Manhattan has been the lowest for significant period of time in New York City, which when we get the time and we go back and we study the cultural and demographic overlays of how this virus spread, it’s going to be interesting. My next life, when I come back as a research scientist.”
On Friday, Cuomo announced that indoor dining in New York City can reopen at 25 percent capacity on Valentine’s Day. The governor also announced that marriage receptions will be able to resume in accordance with state guidance on March 15. Events must be approved by the local health department. There will be a 50 percent capacity limit and no more than 150 people can attend the event. All patrons must be tested prior to the event.
“As data on infection rates and hospitalizations continue to improve, we must begin taking steps to jumpstart our economic recovery as long as public health can be protected,” Cuomo said. “The restaurant industry is the lifeblood of New York City and the economic hardship they have endured at the hands of COVID is nothing short of tragic. Thankfully, if our current trajectory holds, we will be able to reopen New York City dining at 25 percent capacity on Valentine’s Day. This doesn’t only give us more time to stamp out the virus even further, but also gives restaurants ample notice to begin preparing for a reopening. This is a great development, but we cannot become complacent now – we must all continue to do our part to keep beating back COVID so we can continue re-opening our economy and get back to normal.”
