Governor Cuomo Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress During COVID-19 Pandemic - DECEMBER 1, 2020

 

Positive Testing Rate in All Focus Zone Areas is 6.27 Percent; New York State Positivity Outside All Focus Zone Areas is 4.46 Percent     

Statewide Positivity Rate is 4.96 Percent

66 COVID-19 Deaths in New York State Yesterday

 Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today updated New Yorkers on the state's progress during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

"Thanksgiving was not just one day or weekend - it was the commencement of the holiday season, and the holiday season means increased social activity, which means an increased viral transmission. The rate will likely continue to go up through New Year's and the number one priority when you get into this situation is tracking hospitalizations and ensuring hospitals do not become overwhelmed. Our five-part strategy is focused on that, but it's also critical that New Yorkers continue to do the right thing by remembering to wash our hands, wear masks and remaining socially distant," Governor Cuomo said. "Looking ahead, the vaccination program is going to be a major governmental undertaking and it has to be done right. Unfortunately, there are gross omissions in the federal plan that are going to fundamentally impede effective vaccination. Not only has the federal government failed to provide states with any funding, but the existing federal plan fails to provide any effective plan for getting the vaccine to Black, Brown and poor communities, and it contains a data-sharing agreement that could dissuade the undocumented community from participating in the program. The vaccination program only works if everyone is vaccinated and if you are not reaching the Black, Brown and poor communities and then you're alienating the undocumented community, you are making it virtually impossible for this vaccine program to ever be successful - and we need this program to be successful."

The Governor noted that the positive testing rate in all focus areas under the state's Micro-Cluster strategy is 6.27 percent, and outside the focus zone areas is 4.46 percent. Within the focus areas, 40,802 test results were reported yesterday, yielding 2,558 positives. In the remainder of the state, not counting these focus areas, 105,873 test results were reported, yielding 4,727 positives. 

Today's data is summarized briefly below:

• Patient Hospitalization - 3,774 (+242)
• Patients Newly Admitted - 502
• Hospital Counties - 55
• Number ICU - 718 (+37)
• Number ICU with Intubation - 348 (+23)
• Total Discharges - 85,808 (+252)
• Deaths - 66
• Total Deaths - 26,816