Gov. Andrew Cuomo warned New Yorkers not to let their guard down – as cases of COVID-19 across the globe and the country continue to surge.

Officials reported a 3.16% infection rate in the micro-cluster zones, with a state-wide positivity rate including the micro-clusters at 1.9%, without at 1.8%.

“Relative to the nation, we are doing extraordinary well,” says Cuomo.

However, Cuomo warned that downstate New York seems to be doing better than upstate New York – which is a total reversal form the first phase of COVID-19 where it was a primarily downstate problem.

Cuomo applauded Brooklyn, Rockland and Orange counties in their micro-cluster efforts.

In Brooklyn, red zones will be reduced by 50%, yellow zones will be reduced by 50%. Meanwhile, in Rockland County, red zones will be moving to orange zones and in Orange County, orange zones will be moving to yellow.

Meanwhile, in Westchester, rates are flat except for Portchester. Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that there is a micro-cluster in Port Chester and it is going to become a yellow zone. Rapid testing will begin.

Cuomo urged New Yorkers to stay vigilant. “How you behave today, determines whether or not you get sick tomorrow.”

Lastly, Cuomo said people should be aware of small gatherings during the holidays.

“We have a strict quarantine in place for the holiday weekend travel period. We are going to increase personnel at New York airports. You should not land if you do not have proof of a negative test upon landing.”

Lastly, Gov. Cuomo says SUNY colleges will test students before they leave for Thanksgiving break and will cancel the return from the break and move to remote learning for the rest of the semester.

Gov. Cuomo is asking private colleges to review what SUNY did and take the action into consideration and announce what their policy will be.