"After 111 days of hell, they deserve a break," Cuomo sad. "We all do."
The governor began with the good news: Across New York, a total of 1,284 are currently hospitalized with COVID-19, the lowest number that the state has seen. On Thursday, a record number of coronavirus tests, 79,000, were administered. The lowest weekly infection rate, less than 1 percent, was recorded this week — and the number of lives lost, 25, is the lowest it has been, Cuomo said.
All regions of New York State have low infection rates and after reviewing the data, New York City will begin Phase 2 of the state's plan to reopen the economy Monday, he said.
"But COVID isn't over. We still have much more to do," Cuomo said.
Looking forward, he said, there is still a need to monitor local infection rates; local government must ensure compliance and do contact tracing, he said.
"We have to watch out for a second wave of possible infections coming from other states, and many people need help to get their lives back to normal — but with all of that, it's clear: Over the past three months, we have done the impossible," Cuomo said.
In the beginning, he said, "the virus hit us hard." New York had more cases per capita than any state in the country or nation on the globe, he said. "But today, we have done a full 180, from worst to first. We are controlling this virus better than any state in the country and any nation on the globe."
By reducing the infection, more than 100,000 were saved from hospitalization and possibly, death, Cuomo said. "Just think about that. It is an unimaginable achievement. I'm so incredibly proud of what we all did together and as a community. We reopened the economy and saved lives. Because it was never a choice between one or the other. It was always right to do both," he said.
Today, he added, the virus is spreading in many places across the country. "More people will die and it doesn't have to be that way," he said. "Forget the politics, be smart. Open the economy intelligently and save lives at the same time. That what we showed worked, in New York."
Cuomo thanked the healthcare heroes, essential workers, colleagues in nearby states, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. "And, most of all, the great people of New York State who rose to the occasion, who joined hands and did what they had to do," he said.
The governor also thanked his team in state government, and his three daughters.
And, he thanked the public.
"Thank you to all the people who sent me letters and Tweets, and who waved on the street or gave me a thumb's up," he said. "I can't express how much it means to me; your energy keeps me going and your smile lightens my soul — and I thank you. The the 59 million viewers who shared in these daily briefings, thank you. Thank you for giving me the benefit of the doubt. Thank you for believing in me and giving me support; good Lord knows, I needed it."
more:
http://patch.com/new-york/yorktown-somers/s/h5hs8/111-days-of-hell-cuomo-gives-last-daily-coronavirus-briefing?utm_source=alert-breakingnews&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=alert
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