ALBANY, N.Y. — Gov. Andrew Cuomo is calling on New Yorkers to remain vigilant as coronavirus infections increase across the state, saying the deadly respiratory disease is not an "upstate or downstate issue."
New York's growing number of microclusters are currently seeing 4.9% of COVID-19 tests come back positive while the overall state number hovered around 2.8% on Monday as cases continue to rise across the country.
Hospitalizations for the virus are approaching 2,000 in New York for the first time since early June with 1,968 people currently admitted and 391 being treated in ICU, according to Cuomo. Another 25 New Yorkers died from coronavirus Sunday, bringing the state death toll to 26,159.
"COVID-19 is spreading in New York, and the increased number of cases is taking place throughout the state, the governor warned in a statement. "This is not an upstate or downstate issue — all New Yorkers, regardless of where they live, have cause for concern."
Cuomo spent the weekend hosting a virtual virus summit with neighboring governors as he floated the idea of additional heightened COVID-19 restrictions.
Both New York and New Jersey implemented new rules for bars, restaurants, gyms and other liquor-licensed establishments on Friday, imposing a 10 p.m. curfew except for curbside food pick-up.
Private gatherings are also limited to 10 people in both states as the holiday season approaches.
At the moment, the governor said New York will maintain its microcluster approach, with areas such as Staten Island and parts of Brooklyn and Queens seeing limited lockdowns in neighborhoods with high infection rates.
Areas upstate including Western New York near Buffalo and the Finger Lakes region are seeing surges in cases not recorded since New York became the epicenter of the pandemic in the U.S. back in the spring.
"We are continuing to use a comprehensive microcluster strategy and increase our testing capacity to new heights," Cuomo said. "However, our success also depends on the vigilance and smart behavior of New Yorkers. Wash your hands, stay socially distanced and wear a mask. Local governments, do the enforcement.
"We're going to get through this pandemic, but only if we do it together and stay New York Tough," he added.
