New York maintains month-long low infection rate [Video]

• New York has maintained a coronavirus infection rate of below 1 percent for 30 straight days.
• Gov. Andrew Cuomo advised New Yorkers to continue following guidelines, however, to avoid a renewed spike of cases.
• The number of cases reported in the state has decreased from thousands each day during the spring to a current average of 700 new cases per day.

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) announced some good news on Sunday when he confirmed that the state has maintained a low coronavirus infection rate (below 1 percent) for 30 straight days.

The state, which was once the epicenter of the outbreak in the U.S., can now continue to gradually reopen its economy.

The governor stated, “We know based on experience that an incremental, data-driven reopening is the best way to protect the health and safety of all New Yorkers.”

Cuomo advised New Yorkers to remain cautious, however. He emphasized the importance of social distancing and health guidelines to maintain a low infection rate.

“As this virus continues to be a national crisis, it’s clear that caution is a virtue, not a vice,” Cuomo declared. “Our actions today determine the rate of infection tomorrow, so as the Labor Day weekend continues, I urge everyone to be smart so we don’t see a spike in the weeks ahead.”

The governor’s office added that state hospitalizations have decreased to 410, which is the lowest figure since March 16.

More than 439,000 COVID-19 cases have been reported in New York since the start of the pandemic. The outbreak peaked in the spring, during which thousands of cases were reported each day. Now, only an average of 700 new cases per day is reported by health officials, according to a New York Times database.

On Sunday, a total of 729 new cases and nine deaths were reported in the state.

New York state officials still have concerns about whether the state is prepared for all businesses and schools to reopen, however.

Teachers’ unions had called for more time to prepare for in-person classes, prompting New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio (D) to temporarily delay school reopenings amid the pandemic.

Source: The Hill