The governor of New York announced today that he will extend the quarantine measures in the state until May 15, the epicenter of the epidemic in the USA, despite the fact that the number of deaths on a daily basis is the lowest in 10 days.

“We have to keep doing what we do,” Andrew Cuomo told reporters. “I would like to see the percentage of cases reduced even more. The quarantine policy (with the closure of schools and businesses) will remain in force until May 15,” he added, adding that New Yorkers would have to wear masks on buses, taxis and trains.

He also said that the state of New York with nearly 20 million residents had recorded 606 deaths from the pandemic in the last 24 hours, the lowest daily since April 6. The day before, the state had recorded 752 deaths.

“It continues to be a truly, truly tragic account,” Cuomo said, adding that the death toll included 29 patients from nursing homes, whom he called a “zero point” in the fight against the virus.

According to Cuomo, the fact that the number of patients being treated and dying in New York has fallen to the lowest levels in 10 days is further evidence that the most affected state is controlling the spread of the virus.

According to the governor of New York, a total of 17,735 people are being treated across New York due to COVID-19 disease, a number lower than 18,335 a day earlier and the lowest since April 6.

New York State counts more than 210,000 new cases of confirmed coronary heart disease and more than 11,500 deaths.