DELHI-- The number of positive cases reported to Delaware County went up by two on Friday, with a new total of 67. Of the local residents impacted, two are still hospitalized, 17 are recovering at home, and four have died. The good news is that the number of people in mandatory quarantine has gone down dramatically, from 71 on Thursday to 43 on Friday. But there are still 23 test results pending.
In Otsego County, the public health department said there are no new cases on Friday. The total number of cases there is 57, with four deaths and 3 people still hospitalized.
Statewide, Erie, Monroe, Onondaga, Sullivan and Albany Counties have the highest number of COVID-19 cases in the upstate region outside the mid-Hudson Valley.
Governor Andrew Cuomo Friday said the virus rate statewide has continued to be flat but there were still 1,300 new confirmed cases across the state, with 422 more virus-related deaths since Thursday.
He said the state is now looking at projections for the rate of the infection's decline, some of which predict the virus will continue to spread at a lower rate into June. He also pointed out that the CDC's own guidelines suggest no state should consider loosening restrictions until it has two solid weeks of flat or declining numbers.
“We're not there yet,” the governor said.
Cuomo said he is issuing an executive order requiring all voters in the state be mailed a post-paid application for an absentee ballot. He said polls will be open on June 23, but argued no one should have to risk getting infected to vote.
Cuomo again returned to the state's $13 billion shortfall, a situation the governor said was a direct result of the pandemic, and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's suggestion that blue states should file for bankruptcy. Cuomo pointed out the impact New York's insolvency would have on the stock market.
The governor said he wouldn't do it, even if allowed, but he suggested it was unlikely the president would be willing to sign a bill that would have such a negative impact on the financial markets in an election year.
“It's your idea, Senator McConnell,” Cuomo said. “Pass the bill. I dare you.”
