NY Coronavirus Positivity Dips Below 2% For 1st Time Since Nov. 7

NEW YORK, NY — The state's coronavirus numbers have reached another milestone in their slow decline from a surge around the holidays, the governor announced.

The statewide coronavirus positivity reached a seven-day average of 1.98 percent on Thursday, the first time the rate has dipped below 2 percent since Nov. 7, according to Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

"That seven-day average is the first day under 2 percent since November 7, which takes us all the way back to pre-Thanksgiving, pre-holiday surge," Cuomo said. "This is all very good news."

Both the state and New York City's coronavirus numbers have been trending downward for months as more New Yorkers get their vaccine against the virus.

It comes as Mayor Bill de Blasio moves toward a July 1 goal of fully reopening New York City and as Cuomo begins to lift state restrictions, such as a curfew for bars and restaurants.

New York City's own seven-day average recently dipped below 4 percent for the first time since November.

Statewide, the rate of hospitalizations and number of coronavirus patients in the intensive care unit were also down, according to the governor.

On Thursday, 2,900 people had been hospitalized, the first time the number fell below 3,000 since Nov. 24. The number of people in the ICU stood at 681.

But despite easing on restrictions, the governor warned that the positive numbers shouldn't mean New Yorkers completely let their guard down against the virus.

"We’re not done with COVID yet," he said."38 people died yesterday from COVID, so, yes, we are making great progress, but people are still dying every day from COVID....We’re not through the woods yet."