ALBANY, N.Y. _ New York reported a record low coronavirus infection rate Friday, capping three weeks in which the important indicator remained below 1%.
Of the 97,826 test results received by the state a day earlier, only 636 were positive for a 0.65% infection rate, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced.
"Fighting COVID-19 requires enormous bravery and discipline from New Yorkers and I thank them for today's new record-low infection rate," the governor said in a statement. "This is evidence that what each of us does to slow the spread _ wearing masks, socially distancing and washing hands _ makes a real difference."
Hospitalizations fell by 12 to 478 with the number of people being treated in intensive care units dropping to 122. Another three New Yorkers died from the virus Thursday, bringing the state's official death toll to 25,312.
Cuomo also noted that New York has so far conducted a total of 8 million tests since the pandemic began.
The governor's boast comes days after the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention drew criticism for revising its testing protocols and suggesting that people exposed to the coronavirus "do not necessarily need a test" unless they experience symptoms, are older or otherwise medically vulnerable.
President Donald Trump has repeatedly downplayed the need for testing, making the baseless claim it inflates the country's positive results. Health experts have warned that ramping up testing is critical to controlling COVID-19.
CDC Director Robert Redfield appeared to walk back the agency's policy Wednesday, saying that "all close contacts of confirmed or probable COVID-19 patients" may consider testing. However, the guidance has not been changed on the CDC website.
Cuomo said New York will continue to expand testing capabilities.
"Yesterday's data also shows that we aren't necessarily finding more positives with more testing, which is a good new development," he said. "We aren't out of the woods yet, so keep it up, be safe and stay New York Tough."
