New York infection rate stays below 1 percent for 30 straight days

The coronavirus infection rate in New York state has remained below 1 percent for 30 consecutive days, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) announced Sunday, a significant milestone for a state that was once the epicenter of the outbreak in the U.S. 

The announcement came as New York continues to move ahead with a gradual reopening of its economy. Cuomo, however, struck a cautious note while revealing new data on the virus, saying that New Yorkers needed to continue following health guidelines and social-distancing practices in order to keep the infection rate low.

“We know based on experience that an incremental, data-driven reopening is the best way to protect the health and safety of all New Yorkers,” Cuomo said. “As this virus continues to be a national crisis, it’s clear that caution is a virtue, not a vice.”

“Our actions today determine the rate of infection tomorrow, so as the Labor Day weekend continues, I urge everyone to be smart so we don’t see a spike in the weeks ahead,” he added.

In addition to the low infection rate, hospitalizations in New York from the virus have dropped to 410, the lowest since March 16, Cuomo’s office said. 

New York has reported more than 439,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 throughout the pandemic. The state was once reporting thousands of cases per day at the peak of its outbreak in the spring. However, health officials are now reporting an average slightly above 700 new cases per day, according to a New York Times database.

The state reported 729 cases and nine deaths caused by the virus on Sunday. 

As parts of New York move forward with a reopening of businesses and schools, concerns have grown about whether the state is adequately prepared. In New York City, Mayor Bill de Blasio (D) temporarily delayed the reopening of schools after unions representing teachers demanded more time to get ready for in-person classes amid the pandemic.