Dr. Anthony Fauci lauded New York as a model state for bringing down the number of coronavirus cases.
“We know that, when you do it properly, you bring down those cases. We have done it. We have done it in New York,” Fauci said during a PBS interview Friday.
More than 22,000 people died of the coronavirus in just New York City, with more than 225,000 confirmed cases. Overall, the state has endured more than 32,000 deaths and 411,000 cases.
“New York got hit worse than any place in the world. And they did it correctly by doing the things that you’re talking about,” Fauci said.
State officials reported 776 new infections in New York as of Thursday, a significant drop from the 10,000 new daily cases in April. Beginning Monday, New York City will enter its fourth phase of reopening, allowing zoos and outdoor events to be opened to the public. Other locations, such as indoor restaurants and bars, will remain closed.
“NYC has been cleared to enter Phase 4 of reopening, starting Monday, July 20. Phase 4 will not include indoor activity in malls, restaurants or cultural institutions at this point,” Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo tweeted Friday. “I’m so proud of what New Yorkers have done. But we must continue to be on alert.”
NYC has been cleared to enter Phase 4 of reopening, starting Monday, July 20.
Phase 4 will not include indoor activity in malls, restaurants or cultural institutions at this point.
I’m so proud of what New Yorkers have done. But we must continue to be on alert.
— Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) July 17, 2020
“Stay away from crowds. Close the bars,” Fauci said during the interview. “You appeal to the people in the local areas, close those bars. They are seriously the — one of the major reasons why we’re seeing [the surges].”
“And I think, if we do that for a couple of weeks in a row,” he added, “I think we’re going to see a turnaround, because we know that that works.”
White House officials have criticized Fauci for his coronavirus response in recent weeks, including in an opinion piece titled “Anthony Fauci has been wrong about everything I have interacted with him on” by trade adviser Peter Navarro.
Despite the criticisms, President Trump said on Sunday, “I spoke to him yesterday at length. I have a very good relationship with Dr. Fauci.”
