Governor Cuomo Announces Lowest Percentage of Positive COVID-19 Test Results Since Pandemic Began

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the State reached the lowest percentage of positive COVID-19 tests yesterday since the pandemic began. Out of the 59,341 tests conducted in New York State yesterday, only 567, or less than one percent, were positive.

The Governor also announced that New York City is on track to enter Phase Two of reopening on June 22. The Mid-Hudson Valley is on track to enter Phase Three of reopening on June 23 and Long Island is on track to enter Phase Three of reopening June 24 based on current data. Business guidance for Phase Two of the state's reopening plan is available here and guidance for Phase Three is available here.

Governor Cuomo also signed legislation (S.8397-A/A.10326-A) prohibiting health care employers from penalizing employees for making complaints of employer violations. This new law will provide medical professionals with greater protections and allow them to speak more freely about their working conditions and employee or patient safety in the workplace.

"New York City is on track to enter Phase Two this Monday, and Mid-Hudson Valley and Long Island are on track to enter Phase Three next week. It's one set of rules for everyone, and they have worked everywhere in the state because New Yorkers have been responsible in what they're doing," Governor Cuomo said. "As more and more businesses begin to reopen across the state, store owners, employees and local governments all have to be responsible and do their jobs to help prevent a renewed spread of this virus. New Yorkers have done an incredible job in working to beat back this virus, and we must continue to remain smart so we don't erase the progress we've made."

Senator Diane J. Savino said, "I'm glad that Governor Cuomo took swift action to sign this bill into law, particularly as we continue to reopen. Employees should not have to work in an unsafe environment as we come out of a pandemic, especially those in the healthcare field. We must ensure all protections are given to individuals if they sound the alarm on unsafe worksites in order to guarantee the numbers infected are kept to an absolute minimum."

Assembly Member Karines Reyes said, "Leading the fight for the Healthcare Whistleblower Protection Bill is a great source of pride for me. COVID has given the public a glimpse into common hazardous situations we providers know all too well. It is the duty of health care workers to protect the lives of our patients, even to the detriment of our own. We take an oath and swear to do no harm. By strengthening these protections we secure the wellbeing of all medical staff, patients, and visitors by not limiting the right to speak against unsafe working conditions and patient care standards."

Each region's percentage of positive tests over the last three days is as follows:

The Governor also confirmed 567 additional cases of novel coronavirus, bringing the statewide total to 385,142 confirmed cases in New York State. Of the 385,142 total individuals who tested positive for the virus, the geographic breakdown is as follows: