The number of new deaths went up slightly, to 157, up from 132 reported a day earlier. The number of total deaths had remained under 200 in the last week, according to state data. About 105 people died in hospitals and 52 in nursing homes, according to the data.
The number of new cases also saw a decline, 400, compared to 437 reported on Friday.
“That number has been stubborn,” he said. “We don’t want to go back to the hell we’ve gone through.” “It’s interesting to look at the curve, how fast we went up and now how relatively slow the decline has been,” Mr. Cuomo said. “Spike happens quickly, but resolves slowly.”
Amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced horse racing tracks across the state and Watkins Glen International Racetrack will be allowed to open without fans as of June 1st. The state will issue guidance on how they can open safely reopen in the coming week.
Governor Cuomo also announced Westchester and Suffolk Counties are now eligible to resume elective surgeries and ambulatory care. The Governor previously announced that the state will allow elective outpatient treatments to resume in counties and hospitals without significant risk of COVID-19 surge in the near term, and a total of 49 counties can now resume elective surgeries.
The Governor also called on the U.S. Senate to pass the coronavirus relief bill that was passed by the House last night. The bill includes $500 billion for states and $375 billion for locals; Medicaid funding for the most vulnerable; increased SNAP food assistance; 100 percent FEMA federal assistance; funding for testing; and repeals SALT to help states most affected by COVID-19.
“The numbers have been steadily decreasing and we’re now right about where we were when we started, but we want to make sure we don’t go back to the hell that we’ve gone through,” Governor Cuomo said. “We have a smart phased reopening plan that has been reviewed by experts, and half of the state is in the process of reopening. Now we’re getting a little more nuanced in our analysis and starting to look for economic activities that we can start without crowds and gatherings – in this state we can do that with horse racing tracks and car racing at Watkins Glen and we’re going to do that starting June 1st.”
