This article is from the source 'nytimes' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/23/nyregion/coronavirus-new-york-update.html

The article has changed 45 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 5 Version 6
Governor Cuomo Orders New York Hospitals to Increase Capacity: Live Updates Governor Cuomo Orders New York Hospitals to Increase Capacity: Live Updates
(about 1 hour later)
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.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 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.”“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.
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 State saw an increase of more than 4,000 confirmed cases since Sunday night, putting the total at 20,909 as of Monday afternoon.New York State saw an increase of more than 4,000 confirmed cases since Sunday night, putting the total at 20,909 as of Monday afternoon.
On Monday afternoon, 12,339 cases in New York City. Of those, 3,621 were in Queens; 3,494 were in Brooklyn; 2,572 were in Manhattan; 1,629 were in the Bronx and 817 were on Staten Island.On Monday afternoon, 12,339 cases in New York City. Of those, 3,621 were in Queens; 3,494 were in Brooklyn; 2,572 were in Manhattan; 1,629 were in the Bronx and 817 were on Staten Island.
In the city, Queens has the most cases of any borough but Staten Island has the highest rate of infection, with 172 confirmed cases per 100,000 residents. Queens and Manhattan both have 158 cases per 100,000 residents, Brooklyn has 134 cases per 100,000 residents, and the Bronx has 127 cases per 100,000 residents.In the city, Queens has the most cases of any borough but Staten Island has the highest rate of infection, with 172 confirmed cases per 100,000 residents. Queens and Manhattan both have 158 cases per 100,000 residents, Brooklyn has 134 cases per 100,000 residents, and the Bronx has 127 cases per 100,000 residents.
New York City has almost 40 percent more confirmed cases per capita than Italy. Italy has had 106 confirmed cases per 100,000 residents; New York City has 146.
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. Cuomo later echoed those comments, asking the federal government to push manufacturers to make needed supplies.
”Can I say that we’ll have enough equipment for next week, the week after? I can’t say,” the governor said at a news conference. “And that’s out of our control, and that's where we’ll need the federal government.”
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 935 new coronavirus cases on Monday, bringing its statewide total to 2,844, including 27 deaths. The new number of cases represented a 49 percent increase in a single day — the state’s biggest daily spike since the outbreak began.New Jersey officials announced 935 new coronavirus cases on Monday, bringing its statewide total to 2,844, including 27 deaths. The new number of cases represented a 49 percent increase in a single day — the state’s biggest daily spike since the outbreak began.
Gov. Philip D. Murphy said the number was not unexpected and was linked to an increase in testing capacity as well as spread of the virus within the community.Gov. Philip D. Murphy said the number was not unexpected and was linked to an increase in testing capacity as well as spread of the virus within the community.
Two drive-through testing facilities opened in the state on Monday morning — one at the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel and the second at Kean University in Union.Two drive-through testing facilities opened in the state on Monday morning — one at the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel and the second at Kean University in Union.
But Mr. Murphy suggested that the focus may soon shift in the state from testing toward treatment. To mobilize resources, all elective medical and dental surgeries would be suspended in the state effective Friday, Mr. Murphy said.But Mr. Murphy suggested that the focus may soon shift in the state from testing toward treatment. To mobilize resources, all elective medical and dental surgeries would be suspended in the state effective Friday, Mr. Murphy said.
He also said public and private schools “will likely remain closed for a long and extended period of time.”He also said public and private schools “will likely remain closed for a long and extended period of time.”
Harvey Weinstein, the disgraced film producer who was convicted in February of rape and other sex crimes, has contracted the coronavirus in prison, according to two people familiar with the matter.
Mr. Weinstein recently tested positive for the disease and was being held in isolation at the Wende Correction Facility, east of Buffalo, according to the two people, who spoke anonymously to discuss a private medical matter.
Mr. Weinstein falls squarely within the category of people for whom the disease could be dangerous. He is 68 years old and has had a series of health problems in recent months. He was hospitalized twice in the jail ward at Bellevue Hospital Center for high blood pressure, heart palpitations and chest pain — once after his conviction and once this month after he was sentenced to 23 years in prison. During his first stay there, he had a procedure to alleviate a blockage near his heart.
Late on Sunday, Michael Powers, president of the New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association, told Reuters that he learned that Mr. Weinstein had tested positive for the virus.
But Mr. Weinstein’s lead counsel, Donna Rotunno, said that she and the rest of his legal team had not been notified of Mr. Weinstein’s condition.
Mr. Weinstein is one of two inmates at the facility and within the entire state prison system to test positive for the virus as of Sunday. There are about 43,000 inmates in New York prisons.
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.
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.
“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.
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.
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.
As of Monday, 17 people living in 12 different homeless shelters in New York City had tested positive for the virus, according to the city’s Department of Social Services.As of Monday, 17 people living in 12 different homeless shelters in New York City had tested positive for the virus, according to the city’s Department of Social Services.
Four of the seventeen people who tested positive are currently hospitalized, the department said.Four of the seventeen people who tested positive are currently hospitalized, the department said.
The new number represented a sharp increase from the beginning of last week, when one woman in one shelter tested positive.The new number represented a sharp increase from the beginning of last week, when one woman in one shelter tested positive.
New York’s main shelter system is a complex patchwork of 450 traditional shelters, commercial hotels and private apartments. So far, the virus has spread most among single adults living in group settings.New York’s main shelter system is a complex patchwork of 450 traditional shelters, commercial hotels and private apartments. So far, the virus has spread most among single adults living in group settings.
The city has about 100 shelters for single adults and the majority of them have dormitory-style sleeping arrangements, shared bathrooms and shared eating areas.The city has about 100 shelters for single adults and the majority of them have dormitory-style sleeping arrangements, shared bathrooms and shared eating areas.
The city’s homeless population is estimated to be about 79,000 with about five percent living on the street. So far, there have been no positive cases among people living on the street, according to city officials.The city’s homeless population is estimated to be about 79,000 with about five percent living on the street. So far, there have been no positive cases among people living on the street, according to city officials.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
To reduce crowding in New York City’s parks, the speaker of the City Council, Corey Johnson, proposed a plan on Monday that would shut down playgrounds and close some city streets to cars in order to provide more space for outdoor recreation.To reduce crowding in New York City’s parks, the speaker of the City Council, Corey Johnson, proposed a plan on Monday that would shut down playgrounds and close some city streets to cars in order to provide more space for outdoor recreation.
Mr. Johnson outlined his plan in a letter to Mr. Cuomo, who on Sunday had sharp words for New Yorkers who flocked to the parks despite social distancing guidelines. Mr. Cuomo implored city officials to address the issue.Mr. Johnson outlined his plan in a letter to Mr. Cuomo, who on Sunday had sharp words for New Yorkers who flocked to the parks despite social distancing guidelines. Mr. Cuomo implored city officials to address the issue.
Under Mr. Johnson’s proposal, parks would remain open, but playgrounds, athletic fields and tennis and basketball courts would be shut down. Parks employees would be responsible for enforcing regulations, and more park enforcement patrol officers would be deployed.Under Mr. Johnson’s proposal, parks would remain open, but playgrounds, athletic fields and tennis and basketball courts would be shut down. Parks employees would be responsible for enforcing regulations, and more park enforcement patrol officers would be deployed.
To offset the loss of playgrounds, Mr. Johnson proposed closing some city streets to vehicular traffic, opening them up for city residents seeking fresh air or exercise.To offset the loss of playgrounds, Mr. Johnson proposed closing some city streets to vehicular traffic, opening them up for city residents seeking fresh air or exercise.
The goal was to provide New Yorkers with alternative spaces that would allow them to maintain the six feet of distance required to avoid spreading the virus.The goal was to provide New Yorkers with alternative spaces that would allow them to maintain the six feet of distance required to avoid spreading the virus.
In a news conference on Monday, Mr. Cuomo said that he would need to approve any plan for the city parks and encouraged the City Council to pass any legislation required to implement it.In a news conference on Monday, Mr. Cuomo said that he would need to approve any plan for the city parks and encouraged the City Council to pass any legislation required to implement it.
Reporting was contributed by Jonah Engel Bromwich, Ashley Southall, Annie Correal, Luis Ferré-Sadurní, Michael Gold, Joseph Goldstein, J. David Goodman, Patrick McGeehan, Jesse McKinley, Andy Newman, Azi Paybarah, Brian Rosenthal, Michael Rothfeld, Edgar Sandoval, Nikita Stewart and Tracey Tully.Reporting was contributed by Jonah Engel Bromwich, Ashley Southall, Annie Correal, Luis Ferré-Sadurní, Michael Gold, Joseph Goldstein, J. David Goodman, Patrick McGeehan, Jesse McKinley, Andy Newman, Azi Paybarah, Brian Rosenthal, Michael Rothfeld, Edgar Sandoval, Nikita Stewart and Tracey Tully.