A Supreme Court ruling striking down New York's capacity limits on gatherings in houses of worship during the COVID-19 pandemic is "moot" because it dealt with restrictions that have since been lifted, Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Thursday said. 

The U.S. Supreme Court in a 5-4 decision late Wednesday night ruled in favor of Brooklyn Diocese and two synagogues, which had challenged the state's restrictions on capacity inside houses of worship. The ruling comes as COVID-19 cases are on the upswing across the country. 

The ruling could mean a revision in the state's COVID-19 restrictions going forward in "cluster" zones, which take a targeted approach to closures and limits on public gatherings in tailored effort to stamp out a rise in positive cases in specific areas. 

Cuomo in a conference call on Thursday morning said the case was moot because it was narrow in scope and based on a cluster zone in Brooklyn that was previously lifted. 

“The decision isn’t final. Second, it didn’t affect our mass gathering rules," Cuomo said. "So it didn’t mention those. It didn’t mention the overall limits. But the basic point is why did the four rule on an issue that is moot?”

Nevertheless, Beth Garvey, a top lawyer in the Cuomo administration, indicated the state would review cluster zone rules. 

“We will be looking around the state at these other zones," she said, adding, "What the opinion addressed was the per person limit in those areas."

The Catholic Conference, which represents bishops in New York, cheered the ruling, calling it a victory for religious liberty. Catholic Church officials in New York had maintained they are able to hold gatherings safely during the pandemic. 

"While we believe, and the Court agreed, that the 'hot zone' restrictions on religious gatherings were unduly harsh, our churches have been otherwise eager partners with the state in protecting the health of our parishioners, clergy, staff, and surrounding communities during this devastating pandemic," the conference said. "That will continue, as protecting the vulnerable is a pro-life principle. We are proud of the success we have had in keeping our people safe."

COVID-related hospitalizations in New York are now above 3,000 patients for the first time since the spring and 67 people in the last day were confirmed to have died of the virus. The state's positive rate in the last 24 hours stood at 3.1%, which includes microcluster zones.