New York state’s coronavirus metrics are “on the right path” as the Big Apple prepares to reopen more businesses Monday, officials said Sunday.
Fewer than one percent of the 67,526 tests administered in the Empire State came back positive for COVID-19 Saturday — part of a trend showing infection numbers shrinking over the past several days, according to state health data.
In total, 664 people statewide tested positive Saturday, down from 716 Friday and 796 Thursday. Of that number, a total of 385 cases were reported in New York City Saturday, fewer than the 391 on Friday.
“Yesterday, less than 1 percent of COVID-19 tests conducted in the state were positive, which means we continue to be on the right path toward defeating the virus,” Gov. Andrew Cuomo said in a statement Sunday.
”The COVID-19 pandemic isn’t over, and as we reopen New York safely and incrementally, the state government will continue to provide timely information so that New Yorkers can make educated decisions for themselves and their families.”
Fatality numbers are also decreasing across New York, with 15 deaths statewide reported Saturday, down from 24 on Friday and 25 on Thursday, according to the data.
The potentially promising report comes as the Big Apple gears up to begin Phase Two of its reopening plan Monday, which will allow outdoor dining and hair salons and barbershops to open.
While the number of infections shrank in New York City, the percentage of new reported cases actually increased slightly from 1.1 to 1.2 percent from Friday to Saturday, because fewer people were tested Friday.
Meanwhile, the number of cases in some Western and Southern states, including California and Florida, have spiked dramatically in recent days.