Time ：Nov-26, 2020, 13:55
The COVID-19 test positivity rate in the focus areas under New York state's micro-cluster strategy, where the outbreak is targeted by the state for its severity, was 4.34 percent on Friday, down from 4.55 percent one day earlier, Governor Andrew Cuomo tweeted on Saturday.
The statewide positivity rate excluding these focus areas was 2.49 percent, up from 2.15 percent on Thursday, he said.
Of the 207,907 tests reported on Friday, 5,972 were positive, or 2.87 percent of the total, up from 2.66 percent one day earlier, he added.
"While we continue to see COVID-19 cases surge around the globe, our data-driven micro-cluster strategy -- centered on a robust testing program -- has helped New York maintain one of the nation's lowest infection rates," Cuomo was quoted as saying in an official release issued on Saturday. "However, we are in no way immune to the problems we are seeing elsewhere and we are entering a very dangerous period with the cold weather and holidays approaching."
"I understand the desire to come together with those you love and celebrate the holidays, but truly loving someone in 2020 unfortunately means you might not get to be together physically. Time and again, New Yorkers have put their toughness on display in order to keep themselves, their families, and their communities safe -- and we must continue doing that, as difficult as it may be," he said.
"By making these tough decisions and practicing the safe behaviors we know help stop the spread, we will get through this as one unified, loving state," he added.
As of Friday evening, the Center for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University reported 34,287 coronavirus deaths in New York state, the worst in the country.
Nationwide, Texas has the largest number of confirmed COVID-19 cases. New York ranks the fifth, trailing Texas, California, Florida and Illinois.