New York state — initial epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak in the United States — reported its lowest number of daily coronavirus deaths since March on Saturday.
At a news conference, Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo reported 84 deaths, a critical benchmark. The daily death tally peaked at 799 on April 8.
"In my head, I was always looking to get under 100," Cuomo said. "For me, it's a sign that we're making real progress."
The number of hospitalized patients also continued to fall, dropping to over 4,600.
Cuomo announced the Mid-Hudson region — the area along the Hudson River north of New York City and south of Albany — is set to begin reopening Tuesday, and Long Island could follow suit Wednesday.
Cuomo issued an executive order Friday allowing groups of up to 10 people anywhere in New York, as long as social distancing is maintained.
The order came hours after the New York Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit challenging rules allowing only for religious services and Memorial Day commemorations. The NYCLU argued the Constitution requires the same right be extended to people gathering for other reasons.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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