Gov. Cuomo: Progress made in microclusters but red zones remain in Brooklyn, mid-Hudson

The red zone microclusters are showing improvement, according to COVID-19 infection data provided by the state.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo provided an update Wednesday morning on how the different zones would be adjusted based on the percentage of infections in those areas.
According to the governor:
- In order to exit a red zone, the area must be under 3% infection rate for 10 days. In less populated areas, it's 4%.
- To exit an orange zone, the area must be under 2% after 10 days, 3% in less populated areas.
- To exit a yellow zone, the area must be under 1.5% after 10 days, 2% in less populated areas.
Gov. Cuomo's briefing, Oct. 21, 2020 - Click above to watch
During the last week of September, the infection rates were:
  • Brooklyn: 7.7%
  • Queens: 4.1%
  • Far Rockaway: 3.2%
  • Rockland: 13.1%
  • Orange: 34.2%
In the past seven days, the infection rate has been:
  • Brooklyn: 5.5%
  • Queens: 2.5%
  • Far Rockaway: 1.8%
  • Rockland: 4.2%
  • Orange: 4.5%
While areas in Queens will be moving from red to orange, the red zones in Brooklyn and the mid-Hudson region will remain unchanged.
Town of Ramapo Supervisor Michael B. Specht declined to comment on the ongoing restrictions.
Rockland County Executive Ed Day says, “It’s clear if we abide by the restrictions and continue to take preventative actions, we will soon reach the metric required to exit a red zone.”
Rockland County has received more than 40 complaints since ordering residents to wear face coverings. So far, three violations have been issued.
Gov. Cuomo says he believes more microclusters will come in New York during the fall season, and he doesn’t believe vaccines will be available this December.
He urged New Yorkers not to be “fatigued” by COVID-19 and to remain vigilant against the virus.
The governor also said that New Jersey and Connecticut would remain off the travel advisory list despite a rise in cases.
“States are not set up to do border control,” he said, stating that their inclusion would create an economic problem and would be “impossible.”