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New York Now Has Over 400 Cases of Coronavirus: Live Updates New York Now Has Over 400 Cases of Coronavirus: Live Updates
(about 1 hour later)
As of Friday afternoon, New York State had 421 confirmed coronavirus cases, with the number of cases in Westchester County and New York City nearly equal, Gov Andrew M. Cuomo said.As of Friday afternoon, New York State had 421 confirmed coronavirus cases, with the number of cases in Westchester County and New York City nearly equal, Gov Andrew M. Cuomo said.
There are 158 cases of the virus in Westchester County, home to one of the largest clusters of the virus in the country, and 154 in New York City, officials said. The number of cases in the city has tripled since Wednesday.There are 158 cases of the virus in Westchester County, home to one of the largest clusters of the virus in the country, and 154 in New York City, officials said. The number of cases in the city has tripled since Wednesday.
Mr. Cuomo urged against panic, saying, as he has before, that jumps in the number of cases was more a reflection of the state’s ability to test people rather than the severity of the outbreak.Mr. Cuomo urged against panic, saying, as he has before, that jumps in the number of cases was more a reflection of the state’s ability to test people rather than the severity of the outbreak.
“My guess is there are thousands and thousands of cases walking around the state of New York,” Mr. Cuomo said, underscoring that the official count, even as it steadily rises, is not representative of total spread of the virus in the state.“My guess is there are thousands and thousands of cases walking around the state of New York,” Mr. Cuomo said, underscoring that the official count, even as it steadily rises, is not representative of total spread of the virus in the state.
Statewide, 50 people found to have the virus were hospitalized, Mr. Cuomo said. Thirteen of those people were in intensive care units. The state has 3,200 I.C.U. beds available and does not have the capacity to create more, Mr. Cuomo said.Statewide, 50 people found to have the virus were hospitalized, Mr. Cuomo said. Thirteen of those people were in intensive care units. The state has 3,200 I.C.U. beds available and does not have the capacity to create more, Mr. Cuomo said.
Gov. Philip D. Murphy of New Jersey said on Friday that the state had 50 coronavirus cases, with 21 new ones confirmed. Fifteen of the state’s total were in Bergen County, across the Hudson River from New York City. A staff member at Princeton University also tested positive, the university said.
The numbers came as New Yorkers prepared for a dramatic shift in their daily lives on Friday night, when restrictions that limit public gatherings go into effect in an extraordinary step to fight the growing outbreak of the coronavirus. The new totals in both states were announced as the region’s residents prepared for a drastic shift in their daily lives over the weekend. Limits on public gatherings take effect in New York at 5 p.m. Friday.
For New Yorkers who are laid off as a result of the coronavirus, Mr. Cuomo said the state would waive the seven-day waiting period for unemployment insurance. He also said he would direct utilities not to cut off electricity, gas or water service to people who were unable to pay their bills because of the broader impact of the virus.
A trade group representing at least 29 developers and property managers in New York City who together control more than 150,000 rental units, pledged not to execute any eviction warrants for the next 90 days in response to the spread of Coronavirus.
“With all the stress, health risk and economic suffering going on now, no one should have to worry about losing their place to live during this crisis,” the group, the Real Estate Board of New York, said in a statement.
Exceptions will be made for warrants related to criminal or negligent behavior that jeopardize the health and safety of other residents.
On Thursday, Mr. Cuomo placed an indefinite ban on most gatherings of more than 500 people and commanded smaller spaces, like restaurants and bars, to slash their occupancy by half.On Thursday, Mr. Cuomo placed an indefinite ban on most gatherings of more than 500 people and commanded smaller spaces, like restaurants and bars, to slash their occupancy by half.
The restrictions took immediate effect in Broadway theaters on Thursday but will spread to a broader set of venues at 5 p.m., striking a blow to New York City’s typically bustling hospitality industry as it heads into the weekend.
Mr. Cuomo’s decision to limit gatherings of more than 500 people was an especially heavy blow to the live theater business, a crown jewel of New York City’s tourist trade. Last season, the industry drew 14.8 million patrons and grossed $1.8 billion.
Under the guidance announced by Mr. Cuomo, gatherings of fewer than 500 people will still be allowed.
Major cultural institutions continued to announce closures on Friday. The New York Public Library said it would shut its doors starting Saturday through at least March 31.Major cultural institutions continued to announce closures on Friday. The New York Public Library said it would shut its doors starting Saturday through at least March 31.
“While we have been proud to stay open to serve the public amid storms and other emergencies, the best way we can serve our patrons now is to help contain the virus, especially as our patrons include many seniors and others at high risk,” said the library’s chief executive, Anthony W. Marx.
Mayor Bill de Blasio declared a state of emergency on Thursday. In the wake of that declaration, a leading candidate in the race for Queens Borough President said the scheduled special election should be postponed in order to protect people’s health.Mayor Bill de Blasio declared a state of emergency on Thursday. In the wake of that declaration, a leading candidate in the race for Queens Borough President said the scheduled special election should be postponed in order to protect people’s health.
Councilman Donovan Richards of southeast Queens said in a statement Friday morning that the voting process, which is set to begin Saturday and run through March 24, should be postponed because numerous polling sites were located in nursing homes and schools.Councilman Donovan Richards of southeast Queens said in a statement Friday morning that the voting process, which is set to begin Saturday and run through March 24, should be postponed because numerous polling sites were located in nursing homes and schools.
A spokesman for Mr. Cuomo, who has authority to modify election rules, did not immediately comment. Mr. de Blasio said on Thursday that the election would proceed as scheduled.
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A spokesman for Mr. Cuomo, who has authority to modify election rules, did not immediately comment. Mr. de Blasio said on Thursday that the election would proceed as scheduled.
On Friday, Nassau County on western Long Island declared a state of emergency. The county has 51 confirmed cases of coronavirus.On Friday, Nassau County on western Long Island declared a state of emergency. The county has 51 confirmed cases of coronavirus.
On Friday morning, Mayor Steven Fulop of Jersey City announced that the city had its first presumptive positive case of coronavirus.
Mr. Cuomo resisted calls to close public schools across New York during a news conference on Friday, saying it was not clear that mass closings would make a major difference as the virus spreads.Mr. Cuomo resisted calls to close public schools across New York during a news conference on Friday, saying it was not clear that mass closings would make a major difference as the virus spreads.
Mr. Cuomo called the decision “very difficult” and said he would defer at least for now to local districts to make their own decisions about closings. He called the decision “very difficult” and he said that he would defer at least for now to local officials to make decisions about school closings.
But he cautioned against political reasons for closings, saying of the districts that have closed so far: “I don’t know if that is always a judgment on the facts or a response to anxiety in a local community.” But the governor also cautioned against allowing political pressure to drive such moves, saying of districts that have closed schools so far: “I don’t know if that is always a judgment on the facts or a response to anxiety in a local community.”
Mr. Cuomo also said he was concerned about how staffing capacity at state and city public hospitals could be affected by closures. “If the kids are home the parents are home,” he said. “If the parents are home who is going to be working my hospitals?”Mr. Cuomo also said he was concerned about how staffing capacity at state and city public hospitals could be affected by closures. “If the kids are home the parents are home,” he said. “If the parents are home who is going to be working my hospitals?”
His comments followed calls from prominent figures to close New York’s schools, including from Corey Johnson, New York’s City Council speaker.His comments followed calls from prominent figures to close New York’s schools, including from Corey Johnson, New York’s City Council speaker.
“Teaching and learning can not take place under these circumstances for the safety and well being of the teachers and students,” Mr. Johnson posted on Twitter. “We need food and medical services for students who need it. It is not time to panic. But it is time to act.” “Teaching and learning cannot take place under these circumstances for the safety and well being of the teachers and students,” Mr. Johnson posted on Twitter. “We need food and medical services for students who need it. It is not time to panic. But it is time to act.”
He was joined in the afternoon by Michael Mulgrew, the president of the United Federation of Teachers.He was joined in the afternoon by Michael Mulgrew, the president of the United Federation of Teachers.
“We recommend that New York City follow the example of affected jurisdictions around the region, the nation and even the world in closing our public schools,” Mr. Mulgrew said in a statement.“We recommend that New York City follow the example of affected jurisdictions around the region, the nation and even the world in closing our public schools,” Mr. Mulgrew said in a statement.
Public health experts, including three dozen infectious disease experts in New York, have also signed a letter calling on the mayor to close all schools.
But even as school districts have shut down to slow the spread of coronavirus, Mr. de Blasio and other officials have called widespread school closings a last resort, pointing out that hundreds of thousands of poor students rely on schools for meals and medical care in addition to education. Even as school districts have shut down to slow the spread of coronavirus, Mr. de Blasio and other officials have called widespread school closings a last resort, pointing out that hundreds of thousands of poor students rely on schools for meals and medical care in addition to education.
However all New York City public school assemblies, plays, after-school sports and other activities have been canceled over concern about the virus.However all New York City public school assemblies, plays, after-school sports and other activities have been canceled over concern about the virus.
In-person classes were already canceled at the school as the city and state university systems prepared for a move to online classes beginning next Wednesday. Success Academy, New York City’s largest charter school network, said that it would transition its 18,000 students to off-campus learning starting March 19.In-person classes were already canceled at the school as the city and state university systems prepared for a move to online classes beginning next Wednesday. Success Academy, New York City’s largest charter school network, said that it would transition its 18,000 students to off-campus learning starting March 19.
In New Jersey, Gov. Philip D. Murphy said that he anticipated a statewide closing of schools was in the future.
“It is a when, and not an if,” Mr. Murphy said on Friday. The state was actively working with school districts to plan for extended closings, he said.
As the outbreak has widened, Mr. Cuomo and other officials have pushed to increase the state’s capacity to test for the coronavirus, urging the federal government to ease restrictions on where and how tests can be conducted.As the outbreak has widened, Mr. Cuomo and other officials have pushed to increase the state’s capacity to test for the coronavirus, urging the federal government to ease restrictions on where and how tests can be conducted.
On Friday, the federal government said that it would allow New York State’s public health department to authorize local labs to perform coronavirus tests.On Friday, the federal government said that it would allow New York State’s public health department to authorize local labs to perform coronavirus tests.
By next week, New York could be conducting 6,000 tests a day, Mr. Cuomo said, adding that the state had conducted nearly 3,000 tests since the outbreak began.By next week, New York could be conducting 6,000 tests a day, Mr. Cuomo said, adding that the state had conducted nearly 3,000 tests since the outbreak began.
As part of its efforts to gauge the spread of the virus, the state opened a “drive through” testing facility in New Rochelle, a city north of New York City that has been at the center of the epidemic in the state.As part of its efforts to gauge the spread of the virus, the state opened a “drive through” testing facility in New Rochelle, a city north of New York City that has been at the center of the epidemic in the state.
People in the area who believe they may be infected with the virus can make an appointment with the center, at Glen Island Park. They can drive to the facility, where they will wait in one of six lanes for medical staff to come to them and test for the virus.People in the area who believe they may be infected with the virus can make an appointment with the center, at Glen Island Park. They can drive to the facility, where they will wait in one of six lanes for medical staff to come to them and test for the virus.
By keeping potentially infected people in their vehicles, the state would boost testing capacity while reducing the risk of the virus spreading at hospitals or clinics, Mr. Cuomo said at a news conference.By keeping potentially infected people in their vehicles, the state would boost testing capacity while reducing the risk of the virus spreading at hospitals or clinics, Mr. Cuomo said at a news conference.
“It’s not only faster and easier, it’s also smarter and safer,” he said. “Because you’re not exposing people to a person who may be positive.”“It’s not only faster and easier, it’s also smarter and safer,” he said. “Because you’re not exposing people to a person who may be positive.”
In addition, Hackensack Meridian Health, New Jersey’s largest and most comprehensive health network with 17 hospitals and more than 500 patient care locations, won authorization from federal and state authorities for its coronavirus test. The authorization will enable Hackensack to get results on patients in hours, not several days.In addition, Hackensack Meridian Health, New Jersey’s largest and most comprehensive health network with 17 hospitals and more than 500 patient care locations, won authorization from federal and state authorities for its coronavirus test. The authorization will enable Hackensack to get results on patients in hours, not several days.
Cyclists have flooded bike lanes and bridges to avoid taking the New York City subway. One man in his 50s has started walking two hours from Brooklyn to Manhattan for work each day to stay off the train. A recent college graduate who lives in Manhattan is considering moving in with her parents so she can use their car to drive to work in the Bronx. A day after New York officials declared a state of emergency, shoppers flooded stores and emptied shelves as they sought to stockpile groceries and household items to prepare for the unknown.
As concerns over the coronavirus escalate across the region, many riders have abandoned crowded public transit to protect themselves. Inside a Target store at Atlantic Terminal in Brooklyn, customers snatched up hand soap, lotion, detergent, vitamins and paper products. Cold and flu medicines were completely sold out.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which oversees the subway, buses and two commuter railroads, said that ridership on Wednesday fell by nearly 20 percent on subways and 15 percent on buses compared with a similar day last year. The subway system typically handles about 5.5 million riders each weekday. Soon after the 9 a.m. opening at a Trader Joe’s in Hoboken, N.J., a line of nervous customers stretched along the block in the rain, waiting to pick through the mostly bare shelves inside. There was no chicken available, no garbanzo beans, coffee or chips. The store has been were unstaffed.
On Friday morning, officials squashed rumors that the authority was planning to shut down public transit. Once reserved for hurricanes and snowstorms, the frantic pursuit of groceries and household goods has been pushed to a more intense level amid the spread of the new coronavirus. The current panic shopping has a much ominous tone: It is unclear what and how much one should buy in response to a pandemic.
“No. Period. Full Stop. Not happening,” Patrick J. Foye, chairman of the M.T.A., said in an interview on NY1.
“It’s important to emphasize that the system is safe,” Mr. Foye added, and said that the agency will be rolling out a new technology to disinfect trains and buses in the days to come.
The New York City Police Department is investigating at least three suspected anti-Asian bias incidents that occurred in Manhattan this week, the police said. They believe the incidents are connected to the panic surrounding the coronavirus. The New York Police Department said it was investigating at least three incidents that occurred in Manhattan this week as potential anti-Asian bias crimes connected to the spread of the coronavirus.
On Tuesday morning, a 23-year-old woman of Asian descent was pushed and slapped by another woman in Manhattan, the police said. The suspect, a woman in her 20s, made anti-Asian comments.On Tuesday morning, a 23-year-old woman of Asian descent was pushed and slapped by another woman in Manhattan, the police said. The suspect, a woman in her 20s, made anti-Asian comments.
Later that day, on the Upper East Side, a young man approached a 59-year-old man of Asian descent from behind, kicked him to the ground, and yelled anti-Asian statements, officials said. Later that day, on the Upper East Side, a young man approached a 59-year-old man of Asian descent from behind, kicked him to the ground and yelled anti-Asian statements, officials said.
On Thursday night, a 47-year-old Asian man was walking to a bus stop in Forest Hills in Queens when a white man in his 40s approached him, shoved him, made anti-Asian comments and asked why the Asian man wasn’t wearing a mask. And late Thursday, the police said, a 47-year-old Asian man walking to a bus stop in Forest Hills, Queens, was approached by another man who shoved him, made anti-Asian comments and asked why he was not wearing a mask.
None of the suspects have been apprehended by the police. The incidents are being investigated by the department’s Hate Crimes Task Force.None of the suspects have been apprehended by the police. The incidents are being investigated by the department’s Hate Crimes Task Force.
On Wednesday, Mr. Cuomo addressed the first incident, saying the attack was “apparently motivated by the bigoted notion that an Asian person is more likely to carry or transmit the novel coronavirus.” On Friday, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn said that all Catholic elementary schools in Brooklyn and Queens would be closed next week.
He directed state authorities to investigate. The decision followed a similar one on Thursday by the Archdiocese of New York, which stretches from Staten Island north to Dutchess County.
On Friday, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn said that all Catholic elementary schools in Brooklyn and Queens will be closed next week. The school closings in Brooklyn and Queens affect 76 schools and 22,007 students, the diocese said. Altogether, the moves affects 228 elementary schools and more than 41,000 students.
The decision followed a similar one made on Thursday by the Archdiocese of New York, which stretches from Staten Island north to Dutchess County. All Catholic elementary and high schools will be closed next week in the Diocese of Rockville Centre, which covers Nassau and Suffolk Counties.
The school closures in Brooklyn and Queens affect 76 schools and 22,007 students, the diocese says. Altogether, the moves affect 228 elementary schools and more than 41,000 students. The diocese also said that parishioners were not obligated to attend Saturday or Sunday Mass for the rest of the month, but that Mass schedules would be “mostly unchanged.”
Additionally, all Catholic elementary and high schools will be closed next week in the Diocese of Rockville Centre, which covers Nassau and Suffolk Counties. The New York archdiocese, which also covers Fairfield County, Conn., made a similar announcement about Mass.
The diocese also said parishioners were not obligated to attend Saturday or Sunday Mass for the rest of the month, but that Mass schedules will stay “mostly unchanged.” The archdiocese said that most of its parishes would celebrate Mass in the coming weeks, but parishioners’ religious obligation to attend a Sunday service had been lifted.
Separately, the Archdiocese of Newark said on Thursday night that it would cancel public Masses on Saturday and Sunday. The New York archdiocese, the second-largest and one of the most influential in the country, said that Catholics should exercise “their prudential judgment” in deciding whether or not to attend.
Newark was the first Catholic diocese in the New York area to announce a blanket suspension of Mass, and came shortly after the Archdiocese of Washington issued a similar — but more sweeping — measure. Masses there have been canceled “until further notice,” Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory said on Thursday. Other dioceses have been canceling Mass. On Thursday, the Archdiocese of Newark said it would cancel public Masses on Saturday and Sunday.
The move will impact celebrations like weddings, baptisms and funerals. The archdiocese said those events would not be canceled, “but attendance should be limited to immediate family members only.” Newark was the first Catholic diocese in the New York area to announce a blanket suspension of Mass. It did so shortly after the Archdiocese of Washington issued a similar, but more sweeping, measure. Masses there have been canceled “until further notice,” Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory said on Thursday.
The chief administrative judge of New York State announced on Friday that no new jury trials will be held in close to 350 state courthouses from New York City to the Canadian border starting on Monday. The move will affect celebrations like weddings, baptisms and funerals. The archdiocese said those events would not be canceled, “but attendance should be limited to immediate family members only.”
In an official memorandum, the judge, Lawrence K. Marks, also said that no new grand juries will be empaneled starting Monday except under “exceptional circumstances,” a move that will significantly reduce the number of new criminal cases moving through the state’s court system. The chief administrative judge of New York State announced on Friday that no new jury trials would be held in around 350 state courthouses starting on Monday.
In an official memorandum, the judge, Lawrence K. Marks, also said that no new grand juries would be empaneled starting Monday except under “exceptional circumstances,” a move that will significantly reduce the number of new criminal cases moving through the court system.
Under Judge Marks’ order, which was issued to “reduce courthouse traffic,” some trials already underway will continue.Under Judge Marks’ order, which was issued to “reduce courthouse traffic,” some trials already underway will continue.
The order also placed a one-week moratorium on housing court evictions in New York City.The order also placed a one-week moratorium on housing court evictions in New York City.
Additionally, no new jury trials will begin in New Jersey to minimize community exposure to the coronavirus, Chief Justice Stuart Rabner said on Thursday. Additionally, no new jury trials will begin in New Jersey to minimize community exposure to the coronavirus, the state’s chief justice, Stuart Rabner, said on Thursday.
Jury trials already in progress will go on, and grand juries will continue to deliberate.Jury trials already in progress will go on, and grand juries will continue to deliberate.
“While jury trials are a critical component of our justice system, this extraordinary step is necessary to protect the health and safety of the community,” Justice Rabner said.
Reporting was contributed by Jonah Engel Bromwich, Luis Ferré-Sadurní, Alan Feuer, Michael Gold, Christina Goldbaum, Nicole Hong, Rebecca Liebson, Jeffery C. Mays, Jesse McKinley, Sharon Otterman, Eliza Shapiro, Katie Thomas, Tracey Tully, Ali Watkins and Benjamin Weiser. f Reporting was contributed by Jonah Engel Bromwich, Luis Ferré-Sadurní, Alan Feuer, Michael Gold, Christina Goldbaum, Nicole Hong, Rebecca Liebson, Jeffery C. Mays, Jesse McKinley, Andy Newman, Sharon Otterman, Eliza Shapiro, Katie Thomas, Tracey Tully, Ali Watkins and Benjamin Weiser.