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Watch Now: Governor Cuomo Gives Updates on the Coronavirus in New York Governor Cuomo Orders New York Hospitals to Increase Capacity: Live Updates
(32 minutes later)
To address the imminent influx of patients, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo of New York said Monday morning that he would issue an emergency order requiring hospitals to increase their capacities by at least 50 percent. To address the imminent influx of patients infected with coronavirus in New York, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo said Monday morning that he would issue an emergency order requiring hospitals to increase capacity by at least 50 percent.
The order was a mandatory directive from the state, Mr. Cuomo said, adding, “I don’t think it’s unreasonable to say try to reach a 100 percent increase, but you must reach a 50 percent increase.”The order was a mandatory directive from the state, Mr. Cuomo said, adding, “I don’t think it’s unreasonable to say try to reach a 100 percent increase, but you must reach a 50 percent increase.”
New York now represents nearly 6 percent of global cases and Mr. Cuomo’s order followed a string of increasingly urgent measures to suppress the spread of disease. Still, on Monday, the governor also began to speak for the first time about taking steps to pivot to a more functional economy. New York now represents nearly 6 percent of global cases and Mr. Cuomo’s order followed a string of increasingly urgent measures to suppress the spread of disease. Still, on Monday, the governor also began to speak about taking steps to pivot to a more functional economy.
“I take total responsibility for shutting off the economy in terms of essential workers,” he said. “But we also have to start to plan the pivot back to economic functionality. You can’t stop the economy forever.”
Mr. Cuomo gave a set of additional updates in the Monday briefing:Mr. Cuomo gave a set of additional updates in the Monday briefing:
The state has tested more than 78,000 people, accounting for a quarter of all tests nationwide, according to Mr. Cuomo.The state has tested more than 78,000 people, accounting for a quarter of all tests nationwide, according to Mr. Cuomo.
More than 30,000 retired doctors and health care professionals have responded to the state’s call to volunteer their services, he said.More than 30,000 retired doctors and health care professionals have responded to the state’s call to volunteer their services, he said.
New York has increased its testing capacity exponentially, from testing 1,000 people a day ten days ago to 16,000 a day as of Monday.New York has increased its testing capacity exponentially, from testing 1,000 people a day ten days ago to 16,000 a day as of Monday.
Mr. Cuomo said he was still awaiting New York City’s plan to further reduce density, especially among young people, by imposing more restrictions on public spaces and potentially opening some streets to pedestrians.Mr. Cuomo said he was still awaiting New York City’s plan to further reduce density, especially among young people, by imposing more restrictions on public spaces and potentially opening some streets to pedestrians.
“I take total responsibility for shutting off the economy in terms of essential workers,” Mr. Cuomo said. “But we also have to start to plan the pivot back to economic functionality. You can’t stop the economy forever.”
The governor said the state had made headway in securing hundreds of thousands of medical supplies that will be distributed to different parts of the state. New York City will receive more than 169,000 N-95 masks, 430,000 surgical masks, 176,000 gloves, 72,000 gowns and 98,000 face shields.The governor said the state had made headway in securing hundreds of thousands of medical supplies that will be distributed to different parts of the state. New York City will receive more than 169,000 N-95 masks, 430,000 surgical masks, 176,000 gloves, 72,000 gowns and 98,000 face shields.
New York saw more than 5,700 new cases overnight, putting the total number of cases at 20,875 as of Monday. More than 12,000 of those cases are in New York City.New York saw more than 5,700 new cases overnight, putting the total number of cases at 20,875 as of Monday. More than 12,000 of those cases are in New York City.
Mayor Bill de Blasio gave a dire warning about New York City’s need for medical equipment on Monday morning, saying that if hospitals did not get more ventilators this week, the number of deaths would spike.Mayor Bill de Blasio gave a dire warning about New York City’s need for medical equipment on Monday morning, saying that if hospitals did not get more ventilators this week, the number of deaths would spike.
“If we don’t get the equipment, we’re literally going to lose lives,” Mr. de Blasio said on CNN.“If we don’t get the equipment, we’re literally going to lose lives,” Mr. de Blasio said on CNN.
Mr. de Blasio said that city officials could only guarantee that “we can get through this week with the equipment and supplies we have. That’s the blunt reality.”Mr. de Blasio said that city officials could only guarantee that “we can get through this week with the equipment and supplies we have. That’s the blunt reality.”
If more of the necessary equipment and supplies did not arrive in the city’s 11 public hospitals after that, he said, “We will get to a point where people can’t be saved who could have been saved.”If more of the necessary equipment and supplies did not arrive in the city’s 11 public hospitals after that, he said, “We will get to a point where people can’t be saved who could have been saved.”
Mr. de Blasio repeated his call to the federal government to mobilize resources and send supplies to the places hardest hit by the virus, including New York City.Mr. de Blasio repeated his call to the federal government to mobilize resources and send supplies to the places hardest hit by the virus, including New York City.
The mayor said he spoke with President Trump and Vice President Mike Pence on Sunday night about getting additional supplies, more medical personnel and financial support.The mayor said he spoke with President Trump and Vice President Mike Pence on Sunday night about getting additional supplies, more medical personnel and financial support.
Mr. de Blasio said that he appreciated the conversation but was still waiting to see the “material support” necessary for city officials to contain the virus.Mr. de Blasio said that he appreciated the conversation but was still waiting to see the “material support” necessary for city officials to contain the virus.
He specifically asked for millions of masks and for medical personnel to be deployed both from the military and from other parts of the United States.He specifically asked for millions of masks and for medical personnel to be deployed both from the military and from other parts of the United States.
“What I need right now is action, not words,” Mr. de Blasio said.“What I need right now is action, not words,” Mr. de Blasio said.
New Jersey officials announced 590 new coronavirus cases on Sunday, bringing its statewide total to 1,914, including 20 deaths. For the first time, all 21 counties in New Jersey have reported cases of the virus.New Jersey officials announced 590 new coronavirus cases on Sunday, bringing its statewide total to 1,914, including 20 deaths. For the first time, all 21 counties in New Jersey have reported cases of the virus.
Two additional drive-through testing facilities will open in the state on Monday morning — one at the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel and the second at Kean University in Union.Two additional drive-through testing facilities will open in the state on Monday morning — one at the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel and the second at Kean University in Union.
Gov. Philip D. Murphy issued an executive order on Saturday closing nonessential businesses and asking all residents to stay home. “There’s too many people still not paying attention to this,” Mr. Murphy said. “We’ve about had it.”Gov. Philip D. Murphy issued an executive order on Saturday closing nonessential businesses and asking all residents to stay home. “There’s too many people still not paying attention to this,” Mr. Murphy said. “We’ve about had it.”
The state’s health commissioner, Judith Persichilli, said there was a shortage of blood, and she urged donors to make an appointment. “It’s one concrete way we can all roll up our sleeves and help,” she said.The state’s health commissioner, Judith Persichilli, said there was a shortage of blood, and she urged donors to make an appointment. “It’s one concrete way we can all roll up our sleeves and help,” she said.
The vast majority of students in the New York City public school system attended class remotely for the first time on Monday, as the nation’s largest school district undertook the massive task of digitally educating its 1.1 million pupils.The vast majority of students in the New York City public school system attended class remotely for the first time on Monday, as the nation’s largest school district undertook the massive task of digitally educating its 1.1 million pupils.
Remote learning has been seen as a major challenge for a district where many children do not have internet access at home or do not have the devices required to participate in online education.Remote learning has been seen as a major challenge for a district where many children do not have internet access at home or do not have the devices required to participate in online education.
“This has never been attempted on this scale, anything close to this scale, by a school system in America,” Mr. de Blasio said in a radio interview on Monday. “This is a huge endeavor.”“This has never been attempted on this scale, anything close to this scale, by a school system in America,” Mr. de Blasio said in a radio interview on Monday. “This is a huge endeavor.”
He also said that he thought it was unlikely that students would return to the classroom this school year.He also said that he thought it was unlikely that students would return to the classroom this school year.
Teachers were given last week to prepare digital lessons. School administrators vowed to provide laptops and tablets to students who needed them, and Mr. de Blasio said they would take stock of their efforts at the end of the day.Teachers were given last week to prepare digital lessons. School administrators vowed to provide laptops and tablets to students who needed them, and Mr. de Blasio said they would take stock of their efforts at the end of the day.
About 750,000 of New York City’s public school students are poor, including around 114,000 who are homeless.About 750,000 of New York City’s public school students are poor, including around 114,000 who are homeless.
The city has opened 400 sites to provide meals to New York City’s students. Several dozen school buildings throughout the city have also remained open and have been used as “learning centers” to support the children of essential city workers like health care employees.The city has opened 400 sites to provide meals to New York City’s students. Several dozen school buildings throughout the city have also remained open and have been used as “learning centers” to support the children of essential city workers like health care employees.
New Jersey’s county jails are expected to begin releasing as many as 1,000 inmates on Tuesday morning in response to the risks posed by the coronavirus.New Jersey’s county jails are expected to begin releasing as many as 1,000 inmates on Tuesday morning in response to the risks posed by the coronavirus.
The state’s chief justice, Stuart Rabner, signed an order late Sunday authorizing the release of offenders serving certain types of lower-level sentences in New Jersey’s county jails. The order applies to inmates who are jailed for probation violations and those with convictions in municipal courts, such as disorderly conduct.The state’s chief justice, Stuart Rabner, signed an order late Sunday authorizing the release of offenders serving certain types of lower-level sentences in New Jersey’s county jails. The order applies to inmates who are jailed for probation violations and those with convictions in municipal courts, such as disorderly conduct.
The order could impact more than 1,000 inmates, according to Alexander Shalom, a lawyer with the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey. Prosecutors concerned that specific inmates might pose a risk to the community can file case-by-case objections by Monday night.The order could impact more than 1,000 inmates, according to Alexander Shalom, a lawyer with the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey. Prosecutors concerned that specific inmates might pose a risk to the community can file case-by-case objections by Monday night.
No other state is thought to have taken such broad action to reduce its jail population in response to the coronavirus, but other cities, including New York and Tulsa, Okla., have moved to release sick or vulnerable detainees.No other state is thought to have taken such broad action to reduce its jail population in response to the coronavirus, but other cities, including New York and Tulsa, Okla., have moved to release sick or vulnerable detainees.
New Jersey’s order, signed by the state’s attorney general, Gurbir Grewal, grows out of several emergency weekend hearings in response to a motion by the state’s public defender, Joseph E. Krakora.New Jersey’s order, signed by the state’s attorney general, Gurbir Grewal, grows out of several emergency weekend hearings in response to a motion by the state’s public defender, Joseph E. Krakora.
Mr. Grewal, a former county prosecutor, called the coronavirus “the most significant public health emergency in our state’s history.”Mr. Grewal, a former county prosecutor, called the coronavirus “the most significant public health emergency in our state’s history.”
“It’s forcing us to take actions we would never consider during normal times,” he said Monday in a statement.“It’s forcing us to take actions we would never consider during normal times,” he said Monday in a statement.
Despite the rising number of confirmed cases of the coronavirus, the New York police commissioner, Dermot F. Shea, said the department had not been hindered in carrying out its duties.Despite the rising number of confirmed cases of the coronavirus, the New York police commissioner, Dermot F. Shea, said the department had not been hindered in carrying out its duties.
On Sunday, Mr. Shea said that 98 people in the New York Police Department, including 70 uniformed officers, had tested positive for the virus. Three people had been hospitalized, and one was discharged on Sunday, he said at a news conference on Sunday.On Sunday, Mr. Shea said that 98 people in the New York Police Department, including 70 uniformed officers, had tested positive for the virus. Three people had been hospitalized, and one was discharged on Sunday, he said at a news conference on Sunday.
“We are not at the point where we’re close to going to 12-hour tours,” he said, but noted that the “planning is literally ongoing hour by hour.”“We are not at the point where we’re close to going to 12-hour tours,” he said, but noted that the “planning is literally ongoing hour by hour.”
Police officials do not believe the members of the department are contracting the virus through police work; they think that officers and civilian workers are contracting it from sick family members, he said.Police officials do not believe the members of the department are contracting the virus through police work; they think that officers and civilian workers are contracting it from sick family members, he said.
But two police officials said that the confirmed cases were just a fraction of the problem. Overall, more than 2,000 police officers and civilian aides have called out sick with flulike symptoms, according to the officials, who requested anonymity to discuss confidential police medical records.But two police officials said that the confirmed cases were just a fraction of the problem. Overall, more than 2,000 police officers and civilian aides have called out sick with flulike symptoms, according to the officials, who requested anonymity to discuss confidential police medical records.
Mr. Shea would not give specific numbers but said the rate at which officers were calling out sick since Tuesday is approaching double the normal rate.Mr. Shea would not give specific numbers but said the rate at which officers were calling out sick since Tuesday is approaching double the normal rate.
New Yorkers awoke on Monday to yet another changed reality, with all nonessential businesses closed and people ordered to stay home as much as possible.New Yorkers awoke on Monday to yet another changed reality, with all nonessential businesses closed and people ordered to stay home as much as possible.
The new restrictions, implemented by Mr. Cuomo in the most intense effort yet to contain the coronavirus outbreak, took effect on Sunday night.The new restrictions, implemented by Mr. Cuomo in the most intense effort yet to contain the coronavirus outbreak, took effect on Sunday night.
Under Mr. Cuomo’s orders, essential businesses, including grocery stores, laundromats and pharmacies, will remain open. Restaurants are permitted to operate for takeout and delivery only.Under Mr. Cuomo’s orders, essential businesses, including grocery stores, laundromats and pharmacies, will remain open. Restaurants are permitted to operate for takeout and delivery only.
Public transportation was running on Monday morning with normal weekday service. New York City’s subways, buses and commuter trains “will operate during the entire pandemic” while the Metropolitan Transportation Authority seeks $4 billion in federal aid, said Patrick J. Foye, the chairman of the agency.Public transportation was running on Monday morning with normal weekday service. New York City’s subways, buses and commuter trains “will operate during the entire pandemic” while the Metropolitan Transportation Authority seeks $4 billion in federal aid, said Patrick J. Foye, the chairman of the agency.
Mr. Foye said the M.T.A. reached an agreement with unions over the weekend to switch to having passengers board local buses through the rear doors to minimize contact between them and drivers.Mr. Foye said the M.T.A. reached an agreement with unions over the weekend to switch to having passengers board local buses through the rear doors to minimize contact between them and drivers.
“We have not changed our fare policy but we don’t expect to collect much revenue on local buses,” he said.“We have not changed our fare policy but we don’t expect to collect much revenue on local buses,” he said.
The authority also closed all ticket offices at Metro-North Railroad stations as a precaution, telling riders to use vending machines or its mobile app instead.The authority also closed all ticket offices at Metro-North Railroad stations as a precaution, telling riders to use vending machines or its mobile app instead.
The agency now has 30 confirmed cases of COVID-19 among its employees, Mr. Foye said. He said the agency’s buses, subways and commuter trains are safe to ride but are operating to carry health care workers, police officers, firefighters and transit workers to and from their jobs.The agency now has 30 confirmed cases of COVID-19 among its employees, Mr. Foye said. He said the agency’s buses, subways and commuter trains are safe to ride but are operating to carry health care workers, police officers, firefighters and transit workers to and from their jobs.
Mr. Foye said the agency borrowed $1 billion from “a leading international bank” on Friday by drawing down a line of credit. He said the agency had enough cash to operate but was in “a $4 billion hole” and needed aid from Congress soon.Mr. Foye said the agency borrowed $1 billion from “a leading international bank” on Friday by drawing down a line of credit. He said the agency had enough cash to operate but was in “a $4 billion hole” and needed aid from Congress soon.
“We planned for ridership declines but never anything like this,” Mr. Foye said.“We planned for ridership declines but never anything like this,” Mr. Foye said.
Mayor Bill de Blasio on Sunday laid out new guidelines for New Yorkers wanting to visit the city’s parks. The biggest message: While exercising outside is fine, people should not gather in groups.Mayor Bill de Blasio on Sunday laid out new guidelines for New Yorkers wanting to visit the city’s parks. The biggest message: While exercising outside is fine, people should not gather in groups.
“You can go to the park but only for a limited amount of time,” the mayor said. “Families can stay together but don’t mix with other families.”“You can go to the park but only for a limited amount of time,” the mayor said. “Families can stay together but don’t mix with other families.”
The mayor said that the police would “break up” anything that looks like the beginning of a gathering.The mayor said that the police would “break up” anything that looks like the beginning of a gathering.
Mr. de Blasio also warned that while playgrounds would remain open, they were not being cleaned. So, parents must take “full responsibility” for keeping their child healthy and away from other children, he said.Mr. de Blasio also warned that while playgrounds would remain open, they were not being cleaned. So, parents must take “full responsibility” for keeping their child healthy and away from other children, he said.
If the rules were not followed, the mayor would consider closing the playgrounds, he said.If the rules were not followed, the mayor would consider closing the playgrounds, he said.
Reporting was contributed by Jonah Engel Bromwich, Ashley Southall, Annie Correal, Luis Ferré-Sadurní, Michael Gold, Joseph Goldstein, J. David Goodman, Jesse McKinley, Andy Newman, Azi Paybarah, Brian Rosenthal, Michael Rothfeld, Edgar Sandoval and Tracey Tully.Reporting was contributed by Jonah Engel Bromwich, Ashley Southall, Annie Correal, Luis Ferré-Sadurní, Michael Gold, Joseph Goldstein, J. David Goodman, Jesse McKinley, Andy Newman, Azi Paybarah, Brian Rosenthal, Michael Rothfeld, Edgar Sandoval and Tracey Tully.