Cuomo Reports Sixth Day of Deaths Below 200; Racetracks Opening

(Bloomberg) --

New York’s death toll has remained below 200 for the last six days, according to Governor Andrew Cuomo, who said he’s searching for ways to reopen the state without creating a new spike in coronavirus cases.

A day after announcing the reopening of many beaches for the Memorial Day weekend, Cuomo said horse-racing facilities and the Watkins Glen car racing track could open without fans.

The governor was again candid that reopening would probably lead to more infections, and he appealed to New Yorkers to observe social distancing guidelines.

“You increase economic activity, we expect to see an increase in numbers,” he told reporters in Albany on Saturday. “Will there be a spike? It depends on how people react and it depends on their personal behavior. Are they wearing masks? Are they using hand sanitizer?”

“Don’t underestimate this virus,” he warned.

Cuomo reported another 157 new deaths, up from 132 on Friday, as the rate appears to be hitting a new plateau he called “stubborn.” About 22,500 people have died in New York, the center of virus outbreak in the U.S.

But the number of daily reported fatalities has dropped from a peak of 799 on April 9, and on Saturday the governor continued to report a decline in new and total hospitalizations and intensive care cases.

‘Shame on You’

The state announced another 2,419 new Covid-19 cases, for a total of 348,232. That number has remained relatively stable for the last two weeks — and down considerably from 10,000 hit on several days in April.

Cuomo acknowledged a growing impatience, especially as the weather warms and people remain in lockdown.

“I’m restless,” he said. “I think I’m more restless than anyone.”

On Friday, five of 10 regions in New York began to reopen after Cuomo’s shutdown order expired. New York City, Long Island and three other areas haven’t met benchmarks and will remain closed for at least two more weeks.

Cuomo, who said the state is facing a $61 billion budget shortfall, praised the U.S. House of Representatives for passing a $3 trillion stimulus bill on Friday that would help bail out states hit by the virus. The bill is unlikely to be taken up by the Republican-controlled Senate anytime soon.

Still, the governor said senators should act on it, and he used strong language for any Republican reluctant to help states that are more blue than red.

“Shame on you,” he said. “Shame on you to look at the death toll on this nation and say: ‘I want to count how many people passed away by their political party, and I’m more interested in states where Republicans live than where Democrats live.’”

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