The seven-day average of new COVID-19 cases has fallen below 4% out of hundreds of thousands of tests conducted, Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Saturday announced. 

That is the lowest seven-day average since Nov. 30, Cuomo said. 

The development also came as hospitalizations fell to 6,888 people, a net decline of 180 patients. Overall, hospitalizations over the last seven days have fallen by 916 people. 

There were 125 confirmed deaths. And 11 new cases of the variant of COVID-19 first discovered in the United Kingdom were also confirmed.

The lower percentage of cases, along with a decline in hospitalizations, is adding to hopes the overall surge of new cases that arose in the late fall and early winter is subsiding.

"Hospitalization and infection rates are continuing to fall statewide and New Yorkers should be commended for all their hard work and sacrifice which helped make this a reality," Cuomo said. 

"If we are to win this war against COVID once and for all, we must keep driving down these rates, as well as to get as many shots into arms as possible. New York has the determination, toughness and vaccination infrastructure to make all of this happen, but our success will ultimately be determined by our willingness to keep making the right decisions and I have every confidence that New Yorkers will continue to do just that."