New York has now tested more than 8 million people for the coronavirus, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Friday, and has recorded its lowest one-day infection rate since the pandemic began at .65% of those tested Thursday, the latest data available.
The state tested 97,826 people for the virus Thursday and reported 636 new cases, with most new infections reported in New York City, Erie County, and on Long Island.
"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,” Cuomo said.
“Yesterday's data also shows that we aren't necessarily finding more positives with more testing, which is a good new development.”
Western New York has been an area of concern for state health officials this week, when the infection rate consistently hovered above 1% in the region. As of Thursday, it was at 1.2%, according to the state. A cluster had been linked to a food processing plant in Chautauqua County, officials said this week.
Cuomo, on Thursday, said the state would send a testing SWAT team to the region to conduct additional tests. Eight news testing sites have since been set up by the team.
Statewide, the data on COVID-19 continued to trend in a positive direction Thursday. Total hospitalizations ticked down to 478, and the number of people intubated declined to 51. There were three confirmed deaths reported by the state.