Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Oct. 8th COVID-19 Update
October 8, 2020.
Yesterday 145,000 tests were reported to the state — a record high number. We’re focusing our testing efforts in two areas — statewide and then we are doing additional testing in hot spot ZIP codes. The positivity rate in the hot spot ZIP codes is 5.8 percent, while the statewide positivity rate, excluding these ZIPs, is 1.01 percent. Our robust testing efforts allow us to narrow hot spot areas down to the range of a block. As part of our Cluster Action Initiative, there are new restrictions in six clusters in the State, which allows us to stop the spread from these clusters and protect our progress in the fight against COVID-19. Look up your address to see if you live in a COVID-19 Hot Spot Zone and take precautions as always.
Photo of the Day: Ads for the COVID Alert NY app displayed in Times Square. If you haven’t downloaded COVID Alert NY yet, download it here.
Here’s what else you need to know tonight:
1. Tomorrow, October 9th, is the last day New Yorkers can register to vote for the 2020 Election. I encourage all New Yorkers to register to vote for this year’s upcoming election. You must be a U.S. citizen, a resident of the State and the county, city or village in which you are registering for at least 30 days before the election; and be at least 18 years old on or by November 3. Learn how you can register to vote here or check to make sure you are registered here.
2. This year, “Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF” will be held virtually. UNICEF’s iconic trick-or-treating collection box has been a cherished part of Halloween festivities for 70 years. This year, parents and teachers can participate in UNICEF’s event through a virtual collection box. Children around the U.S. can enjoy Halloween-themed events and earn virtual coins that add up to real-life earnings, which can be donated to wherever kids would like to see them, allowing kids to see for themselves the positive impact they’re having on children around the world. Learn more here.
3. We are carefully watching New York’s total COVID hospitalizations. Yesterday, there were 754 total hospitalizations. Of the 145,811 tests reported yesterday, 1,836, or 1.26 percent, were positive. Sadly, we lost 10 New Yorkers to the virus.
4. It’s New York’s Annual Organ Donor Enrollment Day. Unfortunately, the pandemic has caused declines in organ donations. With so many people awaiting lifesaving organ transplants, I encourage New Yorkers to become organ donors and join the NYS Donate Life Registry.
Tonight’s “Deep Breath Moment”: New York has some of the best food on the planet — whether it’s $1 slice pizza, Buffalo wings, or Michelin-starred restaurants. But according to marine biologists, New York is also becoming a food destination for young humpback whales. According to Gotham Whale, a NY-based whale research organization, young humpback whales appear to be coming to New York to chow down on Atlantic menhaden — one of the most important fish in the sea. Researchers believe that cleaner waters and increased conservation efforts have led to an increase in the fish population and hungry whales are following.
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Ever Upward,
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo
Posted: October 8th, 2020 under Heathcare News, Political News, State Government News.