Cuomo: 'Our mojo is back' as coronavirus cases decline

A celebratory Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo declared that New York has its "mojo" back 100 days after the first coronavirus cases were diagnosed in the state, as positive test results dropped to near-record lows and New York City entered the first phase of reopening Monday.

The number of New Yorkers testing positive for the COVID-19 virus fell to about 1.2% of more than 58,000 people checked across the state on Sunday, the lowest level of confirmed new cases since March 16, Cuomo said.

“New Yorkers did what many experts told me was impossible in 100 days," Cuomo said at his daily briefing. "New Yorkers bent the curve by being smart. We’re celebrating. We’re back. We’re reopening. We’re excited. Our mojo is back. Our energy is back. "

But he warned New Yorkers to "stay smart," wear masks and follow social distancing guidelines to avoid a resurgence of the deadly virus which had made New York an epicenter of the pandemic.

He noted that other states, including California, Florida, Texas and Arizona, are now seeing spikes in coronavirus cases after reopening earlier than New York.

“We are not out of the woods, but we are on the other side, certainly,” he said.

“It is a day I am so glad to see finally come," he added. “I am so proud of how New Yorkers have responded … I am so proud to be governor of New York and I’m so proud to be a New Yorker."

Cuomo again urged protesters who have taken part in massive demonstrations against the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis to get tests, since the packed protests could be breeding grounds for COVID-19.

Long Island poised for next phase

Cuomo spoke as Long Island was poised to enter the second phase of reopening Wednesday, with outdoor dining, curbside retail, office work and other activities permitted. The mid-Hudson region, including Rockland, Westchester and Sullivan counties, was set to enter Phase 2 on Tuesday.

In celebrating Long Island's progress, Nassau County Executive Laura Curran said, “I’m looking forward to going out for dinner on Wednesday evening."

She said coronavirus indicators continued to improve in the county. A total of 153 people were hospitalized for COVID-19 — “the lowest number in a very long time of COVID patients in our county.”

“This number means progress,” Curran said. “Phase 2 will jump-start even more of our economy. Our economy desperately needs help. We need to get our businesses moving again.”

The number of new coronavirus cases on Long Island and statewide continued to drop as they got near levels last seen at the start of the crisis in March.

Nassau reported 43 new cases, for a total of 40,947 since the start of the pandemic, according to state data released Monday. Suffolk registered 48 new cases, for a total of 40,377.

New York City had 384 new cases Sunday, for a total of 207,353. New York State as a whole reported 702 new cases, for a total of 378,799.

With the numbers dropping, Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone said Monday he has requested state officials expand the size of Long Island graduation ceremonies.

On Sunday, Cuomo announced he would permit graduations of up to 150 people, but Bellone said the region’s size and density would make complying with those numbers a challenge.

Curran said she was pleased with Cuomo's move, but hopes the number can expand, “while protecting public health.”

Bellone said county businesses are gearing up for the next phase.

“This is something we have been anticipating and pushing for some time now,” Bellone said. “There will be expansion of outdoor space, and those who have outdoor dining are ready to go. We are excited about getting to this point. It’s an important day for Long Island. This is really when a significant amount of economic activity comes back online.”

Curran noted that the county’s sales tax receipts are down 30%. One way to boost sales tax, Curran said, is to allow malls to reopen in Phase 2, “to retail, where they belong,” rather than in Phase 4.

“Our business owners and our residents are smart,” she said. “So malls cannot reopen until Phase 4, but meanwhile our subway stations are up and running. People will be on subway platforms. Penn Station’s back to full service, there will be people in Penn Station. JFK is operational."

She went on: "Retailers and employees, the people that they employ, have been devastated by three months of economic shutdown. By delaying the reopening of malls, by an additional month or perhaps even longer, I’m afraid some will never reopen at all. And I shudder to think what the impact on our economy will be and how do we bounce back from that.”

The possibility of a full reopening of malls remains under discussion, a Cuomo spokesman said.

Bellone said county officials are carefully examining data this week to determine if the street protests will cause a spike in COVID cases.

He said he is hopeful that demonstrations taking place outdoors — where the risk of transmission may be lower — combined with protesters largely wearing facial coverings, will help mitigate the spread.

The state's results from coronavirus testing declined from 1.6% on Thursday to 1.2% by Sunday, showing a declining trend. On Sunday, the level of new positives was 1% on Long Island, 2% in New York City, 1% in the mid-Hudson region just north of New York City, 2% in Western New York and 1% in the Capital region.

In the region, Northwell Health reported a continued drop in COVID-19 patients, with the 426 coronavirus patients at the New Hyde Park-based health system representing a 26% decrease from last week, spokesman Terry Lynam said.

New York goes blue and gold

The governor also announced the state is lighting up notable buildings, bridges and other sites with the colors of blue and gold to honor all New Yorkers for bringing the coronavirus pandemic under control.

Where possible, the words “New York Tough” will be projected onto the landmarks.

"The extraordinary bravery and discipline of New Yorkers has been on display throughout this extremely challenging period in our history, and thanks to their efforts, we didn't just flatten the curve — we bent it," Cuomo said.

The landmarks include: One World Trade Center, Grand Central Terminal Bridge, Rockefeller Center, Kosciuszko Bridge, New York State Fairgrounds, Niagara Falls, Olympic Ski Jumps and Olympic Center.