Jun 26, 2020
Our strategy for reopening has been to reopen in phases—following the data and opening broader as it dictates. We also have a strategy of test, trace and isolate. The contact tracing program allowed us to quickly identify two clusters related to COVID-19 in Upstate New York — one at an Oswego County apple packaging plant and the other at a Montgomery County aluminum manufacturing plant.
The total number of COVID hospitalizations hit another record low. Total hospitalizations fell to 951, from 996 the previous day. Our numbers are good, but, with Coronavirus on the rise in many states in our country, we must continue to be vigilant. Reopening does not mean letting our guard down.
Photo of the Day: Today marked the completion of the Albany International Airport modernization project with a new gateway sign
(Photo by Mike Groll)
1. New York is reaching out to offer assistance to states with high infection rates. As states across the nation are seeing spikes in new cases, New York's outlook remains good. NY is contacting Florida, Texas, Arizona and other states with high infection rates to offer our help. In our hour of need we had volunteers from across the country who helped us go from the worst situation in the country to one of the best, and we will repay that help and that kindness in any way we can.
2. Today, five regions of New York entered Phase 4 of reopening. These regions are the Finger Lakes, Central New York, Southern Tier, Mohawk Valley and the North Country. Officials are continuing to carefully monitor health data during the reopening process. Read more about Phase 4 here.
3. New York restaurants and bars can continue selling alcoholic beverages for takeout and delivery for an additional 30 days. This extends a measure first implemented March 17th. Remember that bars are responsible for the sidewalk/area in front of their establishment and must comply with health regulations or they can lose their liquor license.
4. Yesterday, the State tested 61,723 people. Only 805, or 1.3%, were positive. Sadly, 14 people in New York passed away yesterday due to COVID-19.
Tonight's "Deep Breath Moment": Despite major school events being canceled due to Coronavirus, the newspaper and yearbook editors of Townsend Harris High School and Curtis High School kept pushing forward with their projects. They have adapted their circumstances and became a reliable source for important information and tried to recapture their senior semester.
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