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Governor Cuomo Orders New York Hospitals to Increase Capacity: Live Updates Governor Cuomo Orders New York Hospitals to Increase Capacity: Live Updates
(30 minutes 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, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said he was issuing 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 on Monday, 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 accounts for 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 additional updates in the Monday briefing: Other highlights from briefings today by the governor and New York City mayor Bill de Blasio:
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 — a quarter of all tests nationwide, the governor said.
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.
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 ramped up its testing capacity from 1,000 people a day 10 days ago to 16,000 a day.
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, there were 12,339 cases in New York City. Of those, 3,621 were in Queens; 3,494 were in Brooklyn; 2,572 were in Manhattan; 1,829 were in the Bronx and 817 were on Staten Island. On Monday afternoon, there were 12,339 cases in New York City, the city said. Of those, 3,621 were in Queens; 3,494 were in Brooklyn; 2,572 were in Manhattan; 1,829 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. Queens has the most cases of any borough in the city, 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. Westchester County just north of the city, site of the first virus cluster, has 191 cases per 100,000 residents.
Of all those who have tested positive since the outbreak began, 2,635, or 13 percent, are currently hospitalized, and nearly a quarter of those hospitalized are in intensive care, Mr. Cuomo said.Of all those who have tested positive since the outbreak began, 2,635, or 13 percent, are currently hospitalized, and nearly a quarter of those hospitalized are in intensive care, Mr. Cuomo said.
New York State is now virtually tied with Italy in the rate of confirmed cases — both stand at around 105 per 100,000 residents — even though New York State is less densely populated than Italy and Italy’s outbreak has about a two-week head start on New York’s. New York State is now virtually tied with Italy in the rate of confirmed cases — both stand at around 105 per 100,000 residents — even though New York State is less densely populated than Italy, and Italy’s outbreak has about a two-week head start on New York’s.
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 issued a dire warning about New York City’s need for medical equipment on Monday, 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 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 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 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 the necessary equipment and supplies did not arrive in the city’s 11 public hospitals, 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.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.” ”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. “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.
The mayor said he spoke with President Trump and Vice President Mike Pence on Sunday night about getting additional supplies, 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, 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.
The coronavirus will wreak havoc on the city’s budget, with tax revenues expected to drop by $5 billion to $6 billion over the next 15 months, according to an analysis by Comptroller Scott M. Stringer.The coronavirus will wreak havoc on the city’s budget, with tax revenues expected to drop by $5 billion to $6 billion over the next 15 months, according to an analysis by Comptroller Scott M. Stringer.
The shortfalls will come as restaurants, hotels and the retail sector conduct massive layoffs and the tax revenue they send to the city dries up.The shortfalls will come as restaurants, hotels and the retail sector conduct massive layoffs and the tax revenue they send to the city dries up.
Mr. Stringer said the analysis is based on a relatively optimistic estimate that recovery efforts will begin to take hold around June of this year. Mr. Stringer said the analysis is based on a relatively optimistic estimate that recovery efforts will begin to take hold around June.
“The longer this goes on, the wider this deficit will be,” Mr. Stringer said.“The longer this goes on, the wider this deficit will be,” Mr. Stringer said.
James Parrott, director of economic and fiscal policies at the Center for New York City Affairs at the New School, estimated that the city lost 750,000 jobs in the cultural, restaurant, retail, airline and other sectors, with lost wages of $1.5 billion to $2 billion per month.James Parrott, director of economic and fiscal policies at the Center for New York City Affairs at the New School, estimated that the city lost 750,000 jobs in the cultural, restaurant, retail, airline and other sectors, with lost wages of $1.5 billion to $2 billion per month.
The city has some money to fall back on, though: a surplus in the fiscal year 2020 budget of about $2.7 billion, according to the comptroller’s office, and about $4.7 billion in the retiree health fund that could serve as a rainy-day fund if necessary, according to Ronnie Lowenstein, director of the Independent Budget Office. The city does have a surplus in the fiscal year 2020 budget of about $2.7 billion, according to the comptroller’s office. The city also has about $4.7 billion in the retiree health fund that could serve as a rainy-day fund if necessary, the Independent Budget Office said.
Mr. Stringer said direct federal aid to the city will be crucial because it is a difficult time for the city to raise taxes or cut services.Mr. Stringer said direct federal aid to the city will be crucial because it is a difficult time for the city to raise taxes or cut services.
“There is very little precedent for shutting down one of the world’s great economies,” he said.“There is very little precedent for shutting down one of the world’s great economies,” he said.
New Jersey officials announced 935 new coronavirus cases on Monday, bringing its statewide total to 2,844, including 27 deaths. The number of new 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 the statewide total to 2,844, including 27 deaths. The number of new cases represented a 49 percent increase in a single day — the state’s biggest daily spike since the outbreak began to pick up speed.
Gov. Philip D. Murphy said the number 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 linked to both increased testing and the virus’s spread.
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 — 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 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 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.”
In Connecticut, 415 people have now tested positive, and 10 people have died, Gov. Ned Lamont said. In Connecticut, 415 people have ested positive, and 10 people have died, according to Gov. Ned Lamont. Schools in Connecticut will stay closed until at least April 20, he said.
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.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 recently tested positive and was being held in isolation at the Wende Correction Facility near 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. Mr. Weinstein falls squarely within the category of people for whom the disease could be dangerous. He is 68 and has had a series of recent health problems: 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 Mr. Weinstein had tested positive for the virus. Mr. Weinstein is one of only two inmates in the entire state prison system, out of 43,000, to test 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 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.
Ten corrections employees have tested positive throughout the system, including at Green Haven, Shawangunk, Sing Sing, Downstate and Fishkill Correctional Facilities. A parole officer in Westchester and Bronx County and two civilian staffers in Albany also have the virus.
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. The order applies to inmates 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 who are concerned that specific inmates might pose a risk to the community can file case-by-case objections by Monday night.
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 them are currently hospitalized, the department said. Four 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.
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, most with 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.
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 shutting down playgrounds and closing some city streets to cars 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 on Monday in a letter to Mr. Cuomo, who on Sunday had criticized New Yorkers who flocked to the parks despite social distancing guidelines and implored city officials to take action.
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 close. 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 vehicle 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 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.
Reporting was contributed by Jonah Engel Bromwich, Ashley Southall, Annie Correal, Luis Ferré-Sadurní, Michael Gold, Joseph Goldstein, J. David Goodman, Jeffery C. Mays, Patrick McGeehan, Jesse McKinley, Andy Newman, Azi Paybarah, Brian Rosenthal, Michael Rothfeld, Edgar Sandoval, Nikita Stewart, Nicole Hong and Tracey Tully.Reporting was contributed by Jonah Engel Bromwich, Ashley Southall, Annie Correal, Luis Ferré-Sadurní, Michael Gold, Joseph Goldstein, J. David Goodman, Jeffery C. Mays, Patrick McGeehan, Jesse McKinley, Andy Newman, Azi Paybarah, Brian Rosenthal, Michael Rothfeld, Edgar Sandoval, Nikita Stewart, Nicole Hong and Tracey Tully.