The number of COVID-19 hospitalizations in New York dropped to the lowest number since Dec. 27, as the percentage of positive coronavirus test results stayed level at 4.31%, the lowest rate since November, the office of Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo reported Saturday.
But the 158 New Yorkers, including 24 Long Islanders, who died of COVID-19 on Friday were a reminder of the pandemic’s continuing toll, as Cuomo warned against large gatherings on Super Bowl Sunday that could further the spread of the virus.
“Super Bowl weekend is here and while the instinct may be to celebrate together, we cannot get cocky — we must continue doing the things we know are effective at taming the virus: Wear a mask, adhere to social distancing and avoid gatherings,” the governor said in a statement.
The 7,804 hospitalizations on Friday were down from 7,937 on Thursday, part of a decline since Jan. 18, when, following a holiday and post-holiday surge in coronavirus cases, there were 9,273 people with COVID-19 in New York hospitals, the highest number since early May.
“New York’s positivity and hospitalization numbers continue to decline from the holiday surge, a reflection of the discipline New Yorkers have shown to defeat the virus,” Cuomo said.
Although Long Island’s numbers also have been falling, the region continued to have the state’s highest seven-day positivity rate: 5.57%. The statewide seven-day rate was 4.58%.
Of the 11,252 people who tested positive for the virus on Friday, 771 were in Suffolk County and 757 were in Nassau.
Fourteen Nassau residents and 10 Suffolk residents died of COVID-19 on Friday.
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