Coronavirus News: New York adds micro-cluster zones, but COVID positivity rate drops

Coronavirus Update for New York

Friday, November 20, 2020

Yellow zones expand in MId-Hudson region

Governor Cuomo said the overall positivity rate in the Mid-Hudson region is 3.8%, but there are some higher areas within the region.

NEW YORK (WABC) -- New York will add new micro-cluster zones or expand the current zones in Westchester, Rockland, and Orange counties, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Thursday.

Gov. Cuomo said the overall positivity rate in the Mid-Hudson region is 3.8%, but there are some higher areas within the region.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced New York would be adding or expanding to the micro-cluster zones in Westchester, Rockland and Orange counties.

In Rockland, the current yellow zone is being expanded to include Pearl River, West Haverstraw, Stony Point, and Suffern.

In Orange County, the state is adding a yellow zone around Newburgh, New Windsor, Middletown, and Highland Falls.

A yellow zone is also being added in Westchester County which will include New Rochelle, Ossining, Tarrytown, Yonkers, and Peekskill.

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The state's micro-cluster zone strategy is meant to implement targeted restrictions to minimize the overall impact on the economy.

Gov. Cuomo said it also serves as a warning sign for communities.

"New Rochelle is a yellow zone. To the people in New Rochelle, I'm not saying there's a problem in Essex, I'm not saying there's a problem in Suffolk, I'm saying there's a problem in your backyard in New Rochelle. So I hope that gets your attention because it's your community, it's your block and this is personal to you. And I think that helps get people's attention," Cuomo said.

Despite these concerning developments, the state overall moved in a positive direction in terms of its COVID-19 positivity rate.

Cuomo said the statewide daily positivity rate was 2.7%, down from 3.4% the day before.

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