Hochul: Slight drop in the number of hospitalizations for coronavirus

As New York continues to try to bring the COVID-19 virus under control, the state saw good news on Saturday as authorities reported a slight drop in the number of people in hospital and in intensive care units.

A total of 2,382 people were hospitalized on Friday, down 13 from the previous day, according to state figures released on Saturday.

In addition, the number of people in intensive care units fell from 10 to 557, according to the figures.

Long Island’s seven-day average for positive tests also continued to decline, registering 3.92%, down from 4.06% on Wednesday and 3.97% on Thursday, according to state figures.

“We continue to work in partnership with communities and health providers to make sure the vaccine is accessible in all parts of the state,” Governor Kathy Hochul said. “We know the vaccine works, and we know that by not taking it you are several times more vulnerable to the more serious symptoms of COVID-19.”

Long Island has also seen a decrease in the number of daily cases. The island’s total was 884 cases, up from 1,179 the day before, according to the figures. Nassau had 372 cases and Suffolk had 512, while the day before Nassau had 477 and Suffolk had 595.

New York City had 2,082 cases reported on Friday.

The state reported 27 COVID-19-related deaths on Friday, including one in Nassau and one in Suffolk.

A total of 5,368 people tested positive for the virus in the state out of 197,275 of those tested on Friday, a positive percentage of 2.72%.

Statewide, a total of 58,712 doses of the vaccine were administered on Friday.

On Long Island, 5,206 people received their first dose of vaccine, for a total of 1.82 million, and 4,954 people completed their series, for a total of 1.61 million, according to the figures.

Hochul continued to urge people to get vaccinated.

“If you still need to get the vaccine, you need to do it for your safety and the safety of everyone around you,” she said.