May 23, 2020 – Albany, NY – Governor Andrew M. Cuomo provides a coronavirus update during a press conference at the Executive Mansion. (Mike Groll/Office of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo)
By Michael Dorgan, May 23, 2020
The number of New Yorkers that have died from COVID-19 in a single day has dropped below 100 for the first time in two months, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced today.
The governor said that 84 people across New York died from the virus Friday – marking a significant milestone in the state’s effort to combat the virus.
“Eighty-four is still a tragedy but the fact that it is down is really good news,” Cuomo said at a press briefing Saturday.
The last time New York State lost less than 100 people to COVID-19 on a single day was March 24, when 76 deaths were reported, according to official state data.
“It’s a sign that we’re making really good progress”, he said.
In the past number of weeks, New York has seen a decline in hospitalization rates, intubations and new cases, Cuomo said.
The news comes as more regions get set to reopen and other restrictions are lifted.
Mid-Hudson has been green-lighted to reopen Tuesday, although it still needs to increase the number of people trained to trace and track infected people.
Long Island can follow suit on Wednesday if hospital deaths continue to fall, the governor said.
That would leave New York City as the only region in the state subject to stay-at-home orders. However, Mayor de Blasio said Thursday that the city could begin reopening as early as June 1.
Last night the governor expanded on a May 21 executive order – that permitted gatherings of up to 10 people to take place at Memorial Day ceremonies – to all public gatherings.
The new order permits all public gatherings of up to 10 people – including faith services – provided social distancing rules are adhered to.
The move follows a lawsuit by the New York Civil Liberties Union that argued that the initial order infringed on New Yorkers’ First Amendment rights by allowing certain gatherings but limiting protests and demonstrations during the pandemic.
NY Region Status on May 23, 2020
