Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today updated New Yorkers on the state's progress during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The number of new cases, percentage of tests that were positive and many other helpful data points are always available at forward.ny.gov.

"We're dealing with the cluster situation. We've had clusters in the past stemming from factories, churches, bars and other locations. Remember we started with New Rochelle, the first hotspot in the United States, which stemmed from someone who attended a religious gathering and then a wedding. And that was the first super spreader event, so we're quite familiar with this, and when there's a cluster, we are very aggressive on it and we're oversampling in the clusters," Governor Cuomo said. "We've deployed rapid testing machines. So you have two infection rates that you want to pay attention to: the statewide numbers and then the cluster numbers. All of this is a stark reminder that we need to stay smart and vigilant - wear a mask, socially distance, follow the public health guidance - because this thing is not over."

New York State continues to track clusters with a particular focus on the top 20 ZIP codes in which there have been hotspots. Within the 20 hotspot ZIP codes, the average rate of positive tests is 5.5 percent. The rate of positive tests for the remainder of New York State, not counting the top 20 ZIP codes, is 0.82 percent. The rate of positive tests for all of New York State, including the top 20 ZIP codes, is 1.02 percent. These 20 ZIP codes contained 23 percent of all positive cases in New York State yesterday, but represent only 6 percent of the state's population.

The Governor noted that 20 hotspot ZIP codes reported an average 5.5 percent positivity rate. Areas that had high positivity rates will be subject of focused testing efforts including access to rapid testing machines. These ZIP codes include:

The Governor also announced the New York State Department of Financial Services will extend an emergency regulation requiring New York health insurers to waive out-of-pocket costs, including cost-sharing, deductibles, copayments and coinsurance, for in-network mental health services for New York's frontline essential workers during COVID-19 until November 27. The extension of this emergency regulation helps to ensure that cost-sharing is not a barrier to in-network mental health services during COVID-19 for health care workers, first responders, transit workers, food services workers, retail workers at essential businesses, and other frontline essential employees, who are required to directly interact with the public while working during this continuing public health emergency. Governor Cuomo first announced the State's directive requiring New York insurers to waive out-of-pocket costs for in-network mental health services for frontline essential workers during COVID-19 in May.

Yesterday, the State Liquor Authority and State Police Task Force visited 1,114 establishments in New York City and Long Island and observed 4 establishments that were not in compliance with state requirements. A county breakdown of yesterday's observed violations is below:

• Brooklyn - 1
• Nassau - 3

Today's data is summarized briefly below:

• Patient Hospitalization - 605 (+34)
• Patients Newly Admitted - 100
• Hospital Counties - 38
• Number ICU - 144 (-3)
• Number ICU with Intubation - 67 (+6)
• Total Discharges - 76,754 (+63)
• Deaths - 9
• Total Deaths - 25,479

Of the 97,960 test results reported to New York State yesterday, 1,000, or 1.02 percent, were positive. Each region's percentage of positive test results reported over the last three days is as follows:

Each New York City borough's percentage of positive test results reported over the last three days is as follows:

The Governor also confirmed 1,000 additional cases of novel coronavirus, bringing the statewide total to 458,649 confirmed cases in New York State. Of the 458,649 total individuals who tested positive for the virus, the geographic breakdown is as follows:

Yesterday, there were 9 deaths due to COVID-19 in New York State, bringing the total to 25,479. A geographic breakdown is as follows, by county of residence:

Deaths by County of Residence

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