NEW YORK — Once the epicenter of the pandemic, New York recorded the lowest COVID-19 positivity rate in the country this week as Gov. Andrew Cuomo hopes to entice tourists to return to the Empire State.
New York’s seven-day coronavirus case rate stood at 0.64%, a major milestone for a state that suffered the worst of the outbreak last year and is now on the cusp of a comeback, the governor announced Wednesday.
“Our message is simple. It’s time to reenter society… there’s no place to do that like the State of New York,” Cuomo said during a press event at the recently renovated Jacob Javits Center. “This state has everything that you could possibly want to do, and staying in New York and vacationing in New York is smart and safe. You know this state is responsible when it comes to handling COVID.”
The state is launching a new $40 million global campaign aimed at revitalizing New York’s tourism industry. The first phase of the marketing campaign will focus on the New York City and will run in multiple states and countries. Upcoming spots in the campaign’s second phase will focus on upstate.
“New York, our arms are open and we welcome international tourists,” the governor said. “Today you can land at an airport in New York; there’s no testing, there’s no quarantine, there’s no checking. You can come to New York.”
Along with the low positivity rate, hospitalizations in the state have dropped to 1,007, the lowest since Oct. 21. Another 11 New Yorkers died from the virus on Tuesday.
Cuomo continued to encourage New Yorkers to get vaccinated against the deadly virus, touting venues and sports arenas that have opened up at near full capacity for inoculated attendees.
The Mets will increase the number of fans in the stands starting next week when they go to a 90% vaccinated crowd. Citi Field will have 29,500 seats for vaccinated and 3,000 for unvaccinated fans.
According to the governor, 57.3% of New Yorkers over the age of 18 are now fully immunized. The state is still trying to increase the number of teens getting vaccinated, touting a raffle program that includes a full ride to state-run colleges and promising a return to normal for those who roll up their sleeve.
“The priority remains to get shots in arms, Cuomo said. “We are working very hard to get younger people interested in taking the vaccine. It’s smart, it’s right there, there’s very little risk — so we’re focusing on that population.”
