NEW YORK, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- The estimated number of new AIDS infections, or HIV incidence that occurred statewide in 2019, fell to an all-time low of 1,700 cases, announced New York State government on Tuesday, the 32nd World AIDS Day.
Based on the most recent data from 2019, New York State has "bent the curve" on the HIV epidemic, a primary goal of the Ending the Epidemic initiative (ETE), said an official release.
The governor's ETE initiative was launched in 2014 to significantly reduce HIV infections. Since then HIV incidence has declined each year, with a 38 percent decrease over that time frame. New confirmed HIV diagnoses in 2019 reached an all-time low of 2,377 -- a four percent drop from 2018 and a 31 percent drop since the start of ETE, it added.
"Today is World AIDS Day and I know everyone has been consumed with the COVID pandemic, but we've also been consumed with ending the HIV/AIDS epidemic," Governor Andrew Cuomo was quoted as saying. "The significant decrease in new diagnoses shows our efforts are working, and we will continue to break the stigma of HIV and AIDS."
In recognition of World AIDS Day, Cuomo has directed state landmarks to be lit red throughout the evening of Tuesday.
World AIDS Day, designated on Dec. 1 every year since 1988, is an international day dedicated to raising awareness of the AIDS pandemic caused by the spread of HIV infection and mourning those who have died of the disease. Enditem
