During a press conference Monday afternoon, Nassau officials say the region is one step closer to reopening – meeting six of the seven metrics required by the state to begin to do so.

As of Sunday night, COVID-19 hospitalizations were down to 624, ventilated patients down to 153, new cases of the virus down to 103 and 5% of people being tested were testing positive.

However, the county reported 10 new fatalities- bringing the total to 2,044 residents who died form COVID-19 complications.

Nassau County Executive Laura Curran says the one metric the region is still behind in is the decline in the number of deaths. Although the numbers continue to decrease, a 14 day mark must be met.

“The more people get tested, the more we can move towards reopening,” stressed Curran.

Currently, the county has four testing sites up and running at FQHC sites in Hempstead, Elmont, Freeport and Westbury.

Curran says Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s New York Pause order will remain in effect at least through May 28.

Meanwhile, Curran says she has written to Gov. Andrew Cuomo about the imperative need for elective surgeries to be reinstated in Nassau. Suffolk County has been given the green light to begin.

In addition, Curran says the region is ready to open their beaches for Memorial Day weekend – with 50% capacity that will be strictly enforced.

MORE: LIVE BLOG - Coronavirus updates from the tri-state area and beyond