De Blasio says NYC coronavirus indicators show it’s ‘a perfect day’

Mayor Bill de Blasio touted the Big Apple’s headway in its battle with the coronavirus Thursday as the latest city statistics show that the numbers of new hospital admissions, patients in intensive care units, and the percentage of those testing positive for COVID-19 have all dropped.

“Today is a very good day,” de Blasio said during his daily press briefing of the stats, which have a two-day reporting lag. “Every time you stay home, every time you socially distance … every time you put on a face covering … you’re helping to drive these numbers down.”

Patients in ICUs for suspected coronavirus across the city’s 11 public hospitals are “markedly down” from 561 on Monday to 517 on Tuesday, de Blasio said.

“That’s a big movement there. That’s a big jump in the right direction — bigger than we’ve seen most days,” Hizzoner said, adding, “That is really important. You’re talking about fewer and fewer people fighting for their lives.”

The number of people admitted to Big Apple hospitals also dipped from 78 on Monday to 59 on Tuesday, while the percentage of people tested citywide who are positive for COVID-19 decreased from 13 percent on Monday to 11 percent on Tuesday.

“Three for three — a perfect day, New York City,” de Blasio exclaimed. “Let’s now put together a bunch of them and that’s what’s going to help us take the next big step forward.”

De Blasio said all the daily indicators would have to show downward trends for between 10 and 14 consecutive days, and the city would have to meet state criteria, for the Big Apple to start a phased reopening.

“The indicators have been moving pretty damn well, not quite as well I want to,” de Blasio said.

He remained optimistic that some restrictions can be loosened in June.

“We are getting in range now of hitting all our numbers in the first half of June,” the mayor said.

Meanwhile, de Blasio announced that the city is expanding its criteria for coronavirus testing as he encouraged more New Yorkers to get tested for the bug.

“As of today, we want to broaden the guidance on who should take advantage of more and more widespread testing,” de Blasio said.

De Blasio encouraged Big Apple residents to get tested if they have COVID-19 symptoms regardless of age, chronic conditions or occupation; if they have come in close contact with a confirmed coronavirus patient regardless of symptoms; and if they work in the nursing home, adult care facility or homeless shelter, regardless of symptoms.

“We’re welcoming more and more people to take advantage of it,” de Blasio said, as he noted that there are 28 city testing sites with “more sites coming.”

De Blasio, who repeated calls for the federal government to step in to boost the city’s testing capabilities, said the city is on track to meet its goal of 20,000 tests per day by May 25.

“We are now confident in that goal and we want to beat that goal,” the mayor said.

New Yorkers seeking a community testing location near them can call 311 or visit nyc.gov/covidtest.