New York could “very easily” hit a COVID-19 infection rate in January that has not been seen in the state since early May, Gov. Andrew Cuomo warned Sunday.
“I would not be shocked if they said on Jan. 10, Jan. 15, we’re up to 7, 8, 9, 10 percent,” the governor said at a press briefing, referring to the state’s positive-test rate — and figures well more than double the current 2.74 percent and in line with those nearly seven months ago.
“That could very easily happen if we are irresponsible. It could even be higher if we’re irresponsible,” Cuomo said of the numbers. “It’s purely a function of what we do.
“I believe the COVID rate will increase, just as I believe most New Yorkers will put on weight” over the holidays, the governor said.
“The only question is how much and how fast. And nobody knows.
“The best I can do is warn people and then show them the scale every day.”
Cuomo said he expects the state will see the results of Thanksgiving travel in its coronavirus figures Dec. 1 to 10 and from Christmas shopping, Jan. 2 to the 10.
He has already banned gatherings of more than 10 people, while urging people not to travel for Thanksgiving.
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, who also has advised people to stay home, said at a church service in the city Sunday, “This year, I won’t be with some of my loved ones so I can be with them next year.”
“We have the power to protect each other,” the mayor said. “I love them so much, I want to make sure we will be together next year.”
Additional reporting by Lee Brown
