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N.Y. Can Now Test 7,500 a Day for Coronavirus: Live Updates N.Y. Can Now Test 7,500 a Day for Coronavirus: Live Updates
(32 minutes later)
A few days ago, New York State was testing only a few hundred people a day for coronavirus.A few days ago, New York State was testing only a few hundred people a day for coronavirus.
On Wednesday night, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said, the state processed the tests of 7,584 people.On Wednesday night, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said, the state processed the tests of 7,584 people.
Testing has increased as dozen of private laboratories in the state received authorization to test for the virus. Two government-run labs had shouldered most of New York’s testing until recently.Testing has increased as dozen of private laboratories in the state received authorization to test for the virus. Two government-run labs had shouldered most of New York’s testing until recently.
The huge increase in testing capacity and the quickening spread of the virus yielded sobering news: more than 1,700 newly discovered cases in New York State.The huge increase in testing capacity and the quickening spread of the virus yielded sobering news: more than 1,700 newly discovered cases in New York State.
The total as of Thursday morning was 4,152 cases statewide, up from 2,382 cases on Wednesday. There were 777 people hospitalized statewide. At least 29 people had died of the virus in New York State. Kimberly Jean-Pierre, a member of the Assembly from Suffolk County, became the third state lawmaker to test positive, officials said on Thursday.The total as of Thursday morning was 4,152 cases statewide, up from 2,382 cases on Wednesday. There were 777 people hospitalized statewide. At least 29 people had died of the virus in New York State. Kimberly Jean-Pierre, a member of the Assembly from Suffolk County, became the third state lawmaker to test positive, officials said on Thursday.
Since Monday, the case count in the state has more than quadrupled.Since Monday, the case count in the state has more than quadrupled.
The addition of two drive-through testing centers has helped the state’s capacity. The first opened last Friday in New Rochelle, the state’s original virus hot spot; a second opened on Tuesday at Jones Beach State Park on Long Island.The addition of two drive-through testing centers has helped the state’s capacity. The first opened last Friday in New Rochelle, the state’s original virus hot spot; a second opened on Tuesday at Jones Beach State Park on Long Island.
In New York City, there were 2,469 cases as of Thursday, a one-day jump of nearly 1,000. Nineteen people in the city had died.In New York City, there were 2,469 cases as of Thursday, a one-day jump of nearly 1,000. Nineteen people in the city had died.
In New Jersey, the governor’s office said on Thursday that another 318 people had tested positive, raising the state’s total to 742. Nine people had died in New Jersey, up from five on Wednesday.In New Jersey, the governor’s office said on Thursday that another 318 people had tested positive, raising the state’s total to 742. Nine people had died in New Jersey, up from five on Wednesday.
Three of New Jersey’s nine deaths are associated with long-term health care facilities, which have been closed to visitors, the state’s health commissioner announced on Thursday.Three of New Jersey’s nine deaths are associated with long-term health care facilities, which have been closed to visitors, the state’s health commissioner announced on Thursday.
New Jersey also adopted tighter restrictions on businesses: All nail salons, tattoo parlors, barber shops and hair salons must close by 8 p.m. on Thursday, Gov. Philip D. Murphy said.New Jersey also adopted tighter restrictions on businesses: All nail salons, tattoo parlors, barber shops and hair salons must close by 8 p.m. on Thursday, Gov. Philip D. Murphy said.
On Wednesday, Connecticut officials announced the state’s first death from the virus, of a man in his 80s.On Wednesday, Connecticut officials announced the state’s first death from the virus, of a man in his 80s.
With the virus continuing to surge and the economic fallout crippling New York State, Mr. Cuomo on Thursday ordered most businesses to keep at least 75 percent of their workers at home, up from the 50 percent announced on Wednesday.With the virus continuing to surge and the economic fallout crippling New York State, Mr. Cuomo on Thursday ordered most businesses to keep at least 75 percent of their workers at home, up from the 50 percent announced on Wednesday.
“It’s a very negative circumstance, but you’re going to have time on your hands,” he said at a morning briefing in Albany. “You’re going to have time with your family. You’re going to have time at home in this busy hurry-up world.”“It’s a very negative circumstance, but you’re going to have time on your hands,” he said at a morning briefing in Albany. “You’re going to have time with your family. You’re going to have time at home in this busy hurry-up world.”
Among the essential industries that are exempt from the rule are food, health care and pharmacies, banks, warehousing and shipping, and media.Among the essential industries that are exempt from the rule are food, health care and pharmacies, banks, warehousing and shipping, and media.
The governor also announced an order waiving mortgage payments for three months for homeowners facing virus-related financial hardship.The governor also announced an order waiving mortgage payments for three months for homeowners facing virus-related financial hardship.
“If you are not working, if you are working only part time, we are going to have the banks and financial institutions waive mortgage payments for 90 days,” Mr. Cuomo said.“If you are not working, if you are working only part time, we are going to have the banks and financial institutions waive mortgage payments for 90 days,” Mr. Cuomo said.
“That will be a real economic benefit. It will also be a stress reliever for many families.”“That will be a real economic benefit. It will also be a stress reliever for many families.”
The governor also sought to clarify his stance on a potential shelter-in-place measure, which Mayor Bill de Blasio has said might be imminent in New York City.The governor also sought to clarify his stance on a potential shelter-in-place measure, which Mayor Bill de Blasio has said might be imminent in New York City.
The issue has spawned a semantic debate: The governor has said he supports the framework of a shelter-in-place order in California’s Bay Area, which still allows people to exercise and go out to buy groceries or medicine, but he rejects the term itself.The issue has spawned a semantic debate: The governor has said he supports the framework of a shelter-in-place order in California’s Bay Area, which still allows people to exercise and go out to buy groceries or medicine, but he rejects the term itself.
“‘Shelter in place’ is a scary term for people, especially when they don’t know what it means,” he said, adding that it evoked active shooters and nuclear war. “I believe communication is important, and I believe words are important. Say what you mean and don’t say what might alarm people.”“‘Shelter in place’ is a scary term for people, especially when they don’t know what it means,” he said, adding that it evoked active shooters and nuclear war. “I believe communication is important, and I believe words are important. Say what you mean and don’t say what might alarm people.”
Mr. Cuomo’s 22-year-old daughter, Michaela Kennedy-Cuomo, joined her father at the briefing to urge young people to take the outbreak seriously and to practice social distancing.Mr. Cuomo’s 22-year-old daughter, Michaela Kennedy-Cuomo, joined her father at the briefing to urge young people to take the outbreak seriously and to practice social distancing.
“These pictures of people on beaches, these videos of young people saying, ‘This is my spring break, I’m out to party,’ ” Mr. Cuomo said. “This is so unintelligent and reckless. I can’t even begin to express it.” The Metropolitan Opera Faces a $60 million loss after canceling its season. “These pictures of people on beaches, these videos of young people saying, ‘This is my spring break, I’m out to party,’ ” Mr. Cuomo said. “This is so unintelligent and reckless. I can’t even begin to express it.”
The Metropolitan Opera, the nation’s largest performing arts organization, canceled the rest of its season on Thursday and began an emergency fund-raising push to try to cover an anticipated loss of up to $60 million.The Metropolitan Opera, the nation’s largest performing arts organization, canceled the rest of its season on Thursday and began an emergency fund-raising push to try to cover an anticipated loss of up to $60 million.
The move, a day after the Metropolitan Museum of Art said that it would stay closed until at least until July and would face a nearly $100 million shortfall, was another stark sign that even the country’s richest cultural institutions face a profound threat from the outbreak.The move, a day after the Metropolitan Museum of Art said that it would stay closed until at least until July and would face a nearly $100 million shortfall, was another stark sign that even the country’s richest cultural institutions face a profound threat from the outbreak.
The opera company’s orchestra and chorus will not be paid past March, but they will retain their health benefits.The opera company’s orchestra and chorus will not be paid past March, but they will retain their health benefits.
“We’re doing the best we can under a horrendously difficult situation,” Peter Gelb, the company’s general manager, said in an interview. “As far as our union employees are concerned, we are trying to do the best we can by them, given the financial constraints that we have.”“We’re doing the best we can under a horrendously difficult situation,” Peter Gelb, the company’s general manager, said in an interview. “As far as our union employees are concerned, we are trying to do the best we can by them, given the financial constraints that we have.”
Mr. Gelb said that the decision to scrap the season, originally scheduled to end on May 9, would expose the Met to a loss of $50 million to $60 million. The company announced an emergency effort aimed at raising that amount, with initial pledges from board members of $11 million.Mr. Gelb said that the decision to scrap the season, originally scheduled to end on May 9, would expose the Met to a loss of $50 million to $60 million. The company announced an emergency effort aimed at raising that amount, with initial pledges from board members of $11 million.
The first to die was Grace Fusco’s daughter Rita, last Friday. Then came her eldest son, Carmine, on Wednesday.The first to die was Grace Fusco’s daughter Rita, last Friday. Then came her eldest son, Carmine, on Wednesday.
Hours later, on Wednesday night, Ms. Fusco, mother of 11, grandmother of 27, matriarch of a sprawling family in central New Jersey, died from the coronavirus at 73, unaware that the virus had killed two of her children.Hours later, on Wednesday night, Ms. Fusco, mother of 11, grandmother of 27, matriarch of a sprawling family in central New Jersey, died from the coronavirus at 73, unaware that the virus had killed two of her children.
Four of Ms. Fusco’s other children who contracted the virus were hospitalized, three of them in critical condition, a relative said. Nearly 20 other relatives were isolated at their homes.Four of Ms. Fusco’s other children who contracted the virus were hospitalized, three of them in critical condition, a relative said. Nearly 20 other relatives were isolated at their homes.
“If they’re not on a respirator, they’re quarantined,” said the relative, Roseann Paradiso Fodera. “It is so pitiful. They can’t even mourn the way you would.”“If they’re not on a respirator, they’re quarantined,” said the relative, Roseann Paradiso Fodera. “It is so pitiful. They can’t even mourn the way you would.”
The virus’s toll on the Fusco family accounts for three of the nine deaths the state had recorded as of Thursday.The virus’s toll on the Fusco family accounts for three of the nine deaths the state had recorded as of Thursday.
Joseph Trinity’s family members were there one day, and then they were not, for the same reason much of the world is trying to suppress the human desire to be with one another: the coronavirus.Joseph Trinity’s family members were there one day, and then they were not, for the same reason much of the world is trying to suppress the human desire to be with one another: the coronavirus.
Mr. Trinity had found himself in a New Jersey rehabilitation facility that, like most health care institutions across the country, had declared a no-visitor policy to stem contagion. But he is 92, and in fragile health; family sustains him.Mr. Trinity had found himself in a New Jersey rehabilitation facility that, like most health care institutions across the country, had declared a no-visitor policy to stem contagion. But he is 92, and in fragile health; family sustains him.
Several times a day, he would call his daughter, Mary Trinity, to ask in a faint, slightly garbled voice where everyone was — and to beg her to please, please, get him out of there.Several times a day, he would call his daughter, Mary Trinity, to ask in a faint, slightly garbled voice where everyone was — and to beg her to please, please, get him out of there.
Mr. Trinity was caught in a moment. And he wasn’t alone.Mr. Trinity was caught in a moment. And he wasn’t alone.
The federal government and various health care associations have issued strongly restrictive guidelines to prohibit family members and other nonessential personnel from visiting nursing homes, rehab centers and other facilities with older, vulnerable residents.The federal government and various health care associations have issued strongly restrictive guidelines to prohibit family members and other nonessential personnel from visiting nursing homes, rehab centers and other facilities with older, vulnerable residents.
Mr. Trinity’s children faced a heartbreaking dilemma. Should their father remain in the care of professionals who were much better equipped to handle his myriad needs? Or was he at greater risk of contracting the virus by remaining in an institution?Mr. Trinity’s children faced a heartbreaking dilemma. Should their father remain in the care of professionals who were much better equipped to handle his myriad needs? Or was he at greater risk of contracting the virus by remaining in an institution?
And given the prevailing threat and the open-endedness of restrictions, was it possible they would never see him again.And given the prevailing threat and the open-endedness of restrictions, was it possible they would never see him again.
Starting Friday, all New Yorkers applying for or already receiving public benefits like food stamps, cash assistance and rent payments, will no longer have to seek help in person for any reason.Starting Friday, all New Yorkers applying for or already receiving public benefits like food stamps, cash assistance and rent payments, will no longer have to seek help in person for any reason.
All services will be available online or over the phone, after the city negotiated with New York State to waive in-person requirements, said Isaac McGinn, a spokesman for the city Department of Social Services.All services will be available online or over the phone, after the city negotiated with New York State to waive in-person requirements, said Isaac McGinn, a spokesman for the city Department of Social Services.
Each year, more than three million city residents receive food stamps, also known as SNAP benefits, help with utility payments or other types of aid.Each year, more than three million city residents receive food stamps, also known as SNAP benefits, help with utility payments or other types of aid.
The city Human Resources Administration is encouraging people to avoid in-person visits to benefits offices with a social media campaign called #SkipTheTrip. People needing help can go to nyc.gov/accesshra.The city Human Resources Administration is encouraging people to avoid in-person visits to benefits offices with a social media campaign called #SkipTheTrip. People needing help can go to nyc.gov/accesshra.
On Tuesday, Mr. Cuomo said that cases of the new coronavirus in New York City would peak in the next 45 days.On Tuesday, Mr. Cuomo said that cases of the new coronavirus in New York City would peak in the next 45 days.
If that were to happen, the number of patients requiring hospital care would substantially outstrip the available supply of beds, according to a Harvard analysis.If that were to happen, the number of patients requiring hospital care would substantially outstrip the available supply of beds, according to a Harvard analysis.
Researchers considered three scenarios for an outbreak of that length in the city, assuming that cases ramp down as quickly as they peak.Researchers considered three scenarios for an outbreak of that length in the city, assuming that cases ramp down as quickly as they peak.
In the “moderate projection” — in which a staggering 40 percent of the city’s adults become sick in the next three months — making room for all the patients requiring hospital care would mean emptying or adding more than three times the number of beds typically occupied in the city’s largest hospital “referral region.”In the “moderate projection” — in which a staggering 40 percent of the city’s adults become sick in the next three months — making room for all the patients requiring hospital care would mean emptying or adding more than three times the number of beds typically occupied in the city’s largest hospital “referral region.”
That is an area that includes most parts of the city outside the Bronx.That is an area that includes most parts of the city outside the Bronx.
The projected shortfall is even more dramatic for patients who need critical care. To meet the projected need, city hospitals would have to either empty or add more than 11 times the number of intensive-care beds that are currently occupied.The projected shortfall is even more dramatic for patients who need critical care. To meet the projected need, city hospitals would have to either empty or add more than 11 times the number of intensive-care beds that are currently occupied.
As The New York Times follows the spread of the coronavirus across New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, we need your help.As The New York Times follows the spread of the coronavirus across New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, we need your help.
We want to talk to doctors, nurses, lab technicians, respiratory therapists, emergency services workers, nursing home managers — anyone who can share what they are seeing in the region’s hospitals and other health care centers.We want to talk to doctors, nurses, lab technicians, respiratory therapists, emergency services workers, nursing home managers — anyone who can share what they are seeing in the region’s hospitals and other health care centers.
Even if you haven’t seen anything yet, we want to connect now so we can stay in touch in the future.Even if you haven’t seen anything yet, we want to connect now so we can stay in touch in the future.
A reporter or editor may contact you. Your information will not be published without your consent.A reporter or editor may contact you. Your information will not be published without your consent.
Dan Barry, Jonah Engel Bromwich, Luis Ferré-Sadurní, Alan Feuer, Michael Gold, Christina Goldbaum, Matthew Haag, John Herrman, Corey Kilgannon, John Leland, Jesse McKinley, Andy Newman, Sarah Maslin Nir, Azi Paybarah, Jan Ransom, Margot Sanger-Katz, Nate Schweber, Liam Stack, Nikita Stewart, Tracey Tully, Alex Vadukul, Michael Wilson and Zachary Woolfe contributed reporting.Dan Barry, Jonah Engel Bromwich, Luis Ferré-Sadurní, Alan Feuer, Michael Gold, Christina Goldbaum, Matthew Haag, John Herrman, Corey Kilgannon, John Leland, Jesse McKinley, Andy Newman, Sarah Maslin Nir, Azi Paybarah, Jan Ransom, Margot Sanger-Katz, Nate Schweber, Liam Stack, Nikita Stewart, Tracey Tully, Alex Vadukul, Michael Wilson and Zachary Woolfe contributed reporting.