The latest statewide COVID-19 infection report found that 0.65 percent of all tested for the virus Thursday came back positive — the lowest rate since the pandemic began, according to Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
Just 636 of the 97,826 test results reported on Aug. 27 were positive for the potentially-deadly illness, Cuomo said on Friday. Approximately 270 of the new cases were from New York City, accounting for 42.5 percent of the 636 statewide cases. The city’s positivity rate for Aug. 27 was 0.6 percent.
New York also passed a new testing milestone Thursday, with the 8 millionth test result recorded. Since the crisis began March 1, 432,767 New Yorkers tested positive for COVID-19, resulting in 25,312 deaths.
Just three COVID-19 related fatalities were reported statewide on Aug. 27, including one in Queens.
While boastful about the progress New York has made in the past six months, Cuomo expressed concern over a recent spike in COVID-19 reported in Western New York. He dispatched rapid test teams to the region to expand testing, and help isolate and trace cases.
“Fighting COVID-19 requires enormous bravery and discipline from New Yorkers and I thank them for today’s new record-low infection rate. This is evidence that what each of us does to slow the spread — wearing masks, socially distancing and washing hands — makes a real difference,” Cuomo said on Aug. 28.
“We’re continuing to expand our ability to test and contact trace as we pursue a phased, data-driven reopening, and that’s why we’ve reached 8 million tests conducted in the state. 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.”
To date, 478 people remain hospitalized statewide for COVID-19, with 122 of them in intensive care wards. Another 73 COVID-19 patients were discharged from hospitals Thursday, bringing the total discharges to 74,923.
This story first appeared on AMNY.com.