COVID-19 infection rate under 1% statewide as gyms set to reopen, Cuomo says
The rate of positive COVID-19 tests statewide remained below 1% Saturday for the 16th straight day, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said Sunday. Credit: Kevin P. Coughlin/Office of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo/Kevin P. Coughlin
As gyms prepare to begin reopening Monday, the rate of New Yorkers testing positive for the coronavirus has remained less than 1% for 16 consecutive days, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said Sunday, with the rate about 0.8% on Long Island.
Cuomo has said gyms and fitness centers can open as early as Monday as long as they follow strict guidelines. Nassau and Suffolk counties plan to allow gyms to open Monday, although in Suffolk, hotel, office and college gyms cannot open until Aug. 31, Suffolk officials have said.
The reopening comes amid more good news about the controlled spread of the virus in New York State, although the governor continued to warn residents to be cautious. Cuomo said in a news release that of all tests reported to the state Saturday, 0.77% were positive.
Coronavirus-related hospitalizations statewide dropped to 472 Saturday, the lowest since March 16, the governor said. Also, the number of COVID-19 patients in intensive care fell to 110, a new low since March 15, Cuomo said. Intubations dropped to 50, also a new low since mid-March, the governor said.
Nassau reported 40 positive tests for the virus Saturday while Suffolk had 42 new cases, according to the latest state data.
The state also reported five COVID-19-related deaths Saturday, one each in the upstate counties of Broome, Erie, Montgomery, Oneida, and Ulster.
"New Yorkers should be proud that their hard work and discipline led to another day of record low numbers," Cuomo said in a news release. " … But make no mistake: this virus is still surging in parts of the country and until there is a vaccine we cannot become numb or complacent about the risks we face. "
Signage are posted for social distancing on machine throughout the facility for members to at Golds Gym in East Northport, Wednesday Aug. 19, 2020, making sure everything is safe and operational for the reopening after the COVID-19 shutdown. Credit: Newsday/J. Conrad Williams Jr.
Nassau County Executive Laura Curran said Sunday that the county recorded 27 hospitalizations, with eight patients in ICU beds and zero on ventilators.
In a statement, Curran said: "Nassau residents are working hard to contain COVID-19 and the proof is in the numbers as we see another day of positive cases below 1%. Today, only 40 residents tested positive for COVID-19 out of 5,082 tests, putting the percentage of residents testing positive just below .8%. Nassau’s hospital systems also continue to report low numbers of COVID-19 patients."
The statement continued, "As we approach the fall and the start of school, it’s more important than ever to continue to follow the advice of medical professionals to maintain our progress in the fight against COVID-19."
Suffolk County officials did not respond to requests for comment.
Gyms will reopen Monday for the first time since mid-March, when Cuomo issued an executive order closing them. Frustrated fitness owners had lobbied government hard to be allowed to open their doors.
Working out in gyms is especially risky because of the heavy breathing that takes place during exercise. But mask wearing, maintaining social distance, and other regulations will help make it safer, experts say.
Gyms will open at a capacity of 33% or less and patrons and employees must wear face coverings at all times. Machines must be cleaned and disinfected between uses and everyone must keep six feet of social distance.
Scott Eidler is a deputy editor for the towns department at Newsday. Scott has worked at Newsday since 2012 and previously covered municipal government and education.
