There were at least 646 people hospitalized in the state on Friday, a new low since March 18 and down slightly from the previous day, the Democratic governor said in a statement.

New York's 32,520 deaths are still by far the highest total in the country and four times more than California's tally, and its rate of confirmed infections of about 2,100 per 100,000 people is twice California's rate.

While New York has been gradually reopening, it also has been quietly preparing to handle another surge if it comes.

The United States faces a bleak summer with record-breaking coronavirus infections and many states forced to close parts of the economy again, leaving some workers without a paycheck.

Four months, 3 million confirmed infections and over 130,000 deaths into the coronavirus outbreak in the U.S., Americans confronted with a resurgence of the scourge are facing long lines at testing sites in the summer heat or are getting turned away.

The directive was intended to help free up hospital beds for the sickest patients as cases surged.

Infections are on the rise in 39 states, according to a Reuters tally, and 16 states have posted record daily case counts in July.

With the virus in check -- at least for now -- New York is easing restrictions that shut down schools, businesses and much of city life in March.

Michael J. Fox filmed a video 'shout out' to Alberta health-care workers amid COVID-19. It was posted to the Alberta Health Services official Facebook page.

New Yorkers experiencing cabin fever after two months of coronavirus quarantine were offered an unexpected reprieve when Gov. Andrew Cuomo eased the state's ban on gatherings in time for the Memorial Day weekend.