Albany, N.Y. - Governor Cuomo giving a briefing today says the holiday surge continues to decline, with the lowest COVID positivity rate since Dec. 11, 4.65%
He said New York City restaurants can reopen for in-person dining, at 25% capacity, on Valentine's Day.
He also said New York will permit weddings of up to 150 people or 50% provided that guests are tested for COVID prior to attending and with local health departments' approval.
He also spoke during the Q & A session about the Attorney General's report regarding nursing home death numbers. The AG's report accuses the state of under-reporting the number of death in nursing homes.
Cuomo said several times that what the state did was correct and that the AG report says so. He said "everyone did the best they could," He also said the state followed federal guidance, “If you think there was a mistake, then go talk to the federal government.”
NYSDOH Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker explained after being asked why it took so long for the state to release the numbers he said the state was preparing to release the number of nursing home residents who died in hospitals in Feb. He then said, “When I saw the attorney general report, I decided we needed to finish that up quickly and get those numbers out in real-time.”
Governor Cuomo said “I understand the instinct to blame, or to find some relief for the pain that you’re feeling. But it is a tragedy.”
The numbers today showed 151 New Yorkers passed away from COVID yesterday, hospitalizations decreased by 163, right now 8,357 New Yorkers are in the hospital.