NEW YORK - The COVID-19 death rate is now higher on Staten Island than any other borough, according to data from the last month released by Gov. Andrew Cuomo Wednesday.

The borough already led the city with the highest percentage of positive coronavirus cases.

“Twenty-five percent of all the fatalities in New York City come from Staten Island,” Cuomo said. "Staten Island is only 5% of the New York City population.”

Cuomo added that the borough's death rate is now 40% higher than the other four boroughs. 

Staten Island residents have come under scrutiny for flouting social distancing protocols and ignoring state restrictions on gatherings.

Last week, Mac’s Public House, a bar on Staten Island, declared itself an “autonomous zone” and continued to serve drinks in violation of state law before the city moved in and shut the bar down. The closure led to rallies by supporters, which were attended by local elected officials.

On Monday, the bar’s manager Danny Presti was arrested for allegedly dragging a Sheriff’s Deputy with his car, after he confronted him outside the bar over weekend.

"That’s what this movement on Staten Island has done,” Cuomo said. "More people have died. And that is the fundamental point that is inescapable. Staten Island has a 40% higher death rate than the Bronx, than Brooklyn, Queens or Manhattan. A higher death rate.”

As of Tuesday, Staten Island had the highest positivity rate for COVID tests in the city, with 6.49%, which is two points higher than the next borough, which is the Bronx.