N.Y. coronavirus curve is flattening but 779 people died in one day: Cuomo

Gov. Andrew Cuomo(John Minchillo/AP)

ALBANY — Gov. Cuomo said New York is seeing progress in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic as the curve of hospitalizations “is flattening” despite the state suffered its worst single-day jump in deaths yet.

The governor balanced the good news with the bad Wednesday as he said the state’s stay-at-home and social distancing measures are working to stop the spread of the deadly COVID-19 disease.

“It’s not a time to get complacent,” Cuomo said, noting a three-day decrease in hospitalizations statewide. “We have to remain disciplined going forward.”

But, he cautioned, “we’re not out of the woods yet.”

Striking a somber tone, the governor said that despite signs the state is moving in the right direction a shocking 779 people died overnight.

“I understand the facts and logic of it, but it is still an incredibly difficult number to face," Cuomo said. "Every number is a face.”

The governor, calling the virus a “predator” preying on the vulnerable, ordered all flags in the state to be flown at half-mast in honor of the victims.

New York’s strict rules and regulations keeping all non-essential workers at home and barring gatherings are paying off, according to the governor.

“We took dramatic actions in this state,” Cuomo said. “And it’s working. It’s flattening the curve, so far. If we stop what we are doing you will see that curve change."

The state is also taking other steps to keep people safe including allowing all New Yorkers to vote by absentee ballot in the June 23 presidential primary and providing an additional $600 to people who are receiving unemployment insurance.

The state will also conduct more testing in minority communities and the research will be done on why infection rights are higher among black and Latino populations.

The president of SUNY Albany, Havidan Rodriguez, will be head up a program to do more minority community testing using a mobile testing site.

Cuomo also kept an eye on the future and warned that things will have to be different going forward.

“I don’t think we return to normal,” he said. “I think if we are smart, we achieve a new normal.”