Long Island On Track To Hit 18% Coronavirus Positivity Rate

LONG ISLAND, NY — As coronavirus cases spike, Long Island is expected to hit a positive test rate of 18 percent after the holiday season, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Tuesday.

Speaking from the Wyandanch-Wheatley Heights Ambulance Corp where the state is distributing free turkeys, Cuomo said there's reason for concern about the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday.

"By the current rate of increase in COVID, we are going to see a major spike," Cuomo said.

Statewide, coronavirus cases are expected to rise 20 percent because of people spending more time indoors due to the cold, college students returning home, virus fatigue and the coming holiday season, Cuomo said.

In the last three weeks, cases have spiked to 3,800 from 1,200 in three weeks, he said. On Long Island, there has been a 149 percent increase in cases over that period — higher than the rest of the state, Cuomo said. Cases on the island have increased from 141 a day to 351 a day.

Statewide, the positive test rate is expected to jump to 12 percent from 2.9 percent.

Long Island's positivity rate is expected to surge to 18 percent from 3 percent.

"That's a real problem," Cuomo said.

The governor said he told his 89-year-old mother they cannot celebrate Thanksgiving together and his daughter won't come home for the holidays over concerns about the virus's spread. He said Thanksgiving celebrations should be small.

"We have to be smarter," Cuomo said.

On Monday, Cuomo announced parts of Long Island, including Riverhead, Hampton Bays, Great Neck and Massapequa Park, were declared yellow zones due to coronavirus outbreaks, meaning more restrictions on businesses and gatherings. Additional zone designations on the island are possible soon, he said.

The governor recently issued statewide orders limiting house gatherings to 10 people and requiring bars, restaurants and gyms to close by 10 p.m.

"It's hard; I know it's hard," Cuomo said. "Every day of COVID has been hard."

Following the guidelines is the best way to keep families safe and honor those who have sacrificed in the coronavirus battle, he added.

He said hospitals are expected to have enough capacity if cases increase 20 percent statewide, but cautioned Long Island could be in need of emergency room beds if cases surge higher than that.