Our country is seeing a surge in COVID; there have been almost half a million new confirmed COVID cases in the US in just one week.

From:Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo 

Today, 3:43 PM 

 To:Paul Mendlowitz

(email truncated)

 

October 27, 2020.

 

Dear PAUL,

 

Our country is seeing a surge in COVID; there have been almost half a million new confirmed COVID cases in the US in just one week. While the number of new cases per 100,000 residents in New York remains low relative to other states, New York State is not in a hermetically sealed bubble. 

 

COVID is still here and continues to spread in communities in New York, particularly when people do not follow the safety protocols in place to control the virus. We continue to see outbreaks linked to mass gatherings at houses of worship, at weddings and funerals, and other events where too many people gather.

 

We cannot let our guard down and risk sliding backward in New York. We all must remain vigilant as the weather gets colder and as we are up against "COVID fatigue." Stay NY Smart: Wear a mask, socially distance and follow the public health guidance. It's there to save lives.

 

Chart of the Day: The statewide test positivity rate (the orange line) remains under 2 percent.

 

The positivity rate in the "micro-cluster" focus areas was 3.65 percent yesterday. The statewide positivity rate excluding these areas was 1.53 percent. Of the 111,618 tests reported yesterday, 1,991, or 1.78 percent, were positive. There were 1,083 total hospitalizations. Sadly, we lost 15 New Yorkers to the virus. 

 

Ever Upward,

 

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo