Coronavirus hospitalizations have fallen below 800 patients in New York for the first time since March 18, Governor Andrew Cuomo's office on Saturday said. 

Seven people died of COVID-19 in the last day, the lowest death toll since March 16. 

And the rate of new coronavirus cases remains largely flat at around 1 percent, the governor's office announced. 

The decline in cases in New York comes as much of the country is seeing the virus surge and as the state's economy has gradually undergone a regional reopening. 

"Throughout this pandemic, we've made progress by recognizing that state and local governments can't fight the virus on their own—the efforts of everyday New Yorkers to socially distance, wear masks and wash their hands are central to our ability to slow the spread and save lives," Cuomo said in a statement. 

"As we allow ourselves to celebrate some good news—that hospitalizations have dropped below 800 for the first time since March 18 and the three-day average death toll is at its lowest since March 16—I urge residents to stay New York Tough and not give up the ground we've worked so hard to gain together, particularly in the face of rising cases throughout the country and compliance issues here at home."

There are now 799 patients hospitalized in New York in 28 counties, with 177 patients in intensive care units. The results of 69,203 tests found 730 cases, a positive rate of 1.05 percent.