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Rise in Virus Cases Persists, but Cuomo Sees Progress: Live Updates Coronavirus Cases Rise Rapidly, but Cuomo Sees Progress: Live Updates
(32 minutes later)
Though the number of confirmed coronavirus cases continues to grow quickly and has now topped 30,000, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo on Wednesday said that there were early signs that stringent restrictions on social gatherings and other measures could be slowing the virus’s spread.Though the number of confirmed coronavirus cases continues to grow quickly and has now topped 30,000, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo on Wednesday said that there were early signs that stringent restrictions on social gatherings and other measures could be slowing the virus’s spread.
Mr. Cuomo highlighted data that showed slowing hospitalization rates. On Sunday, the state’s projections showed hospitalizations doubling every two days, while Tuesday’s estimates showed them doubling every 4.7 days.Mr. Cuomo highlighted data that showed slowing hospitalization rates. On Sunday, the state’s projections showed hospitalizations doubling every two days, while Tuesday’s estimates showed them doubling every 4.7 days.
“That is almost too good to be true,” the governor said, “but the theory is, given the density that we’re dealing with, it spreads very quickly, but if you reduce the density, you can reduce the spread very quickly.”“That is almost too good to be true,” the governor said, “but the theory is, given the density that we’re dealing with, it spreads very quickly, but if you reduce the density, you can reduce the spread very quickly.”
Other highlights from the governor’s morning briefing:Other highlights from the governor’s morning briefing:
Mr. Cuomo said the $2 trillion stimulus package making its way through Washington would be “terrible” for the state. New York’s government would get $3.8 billion, the governor claimed, not enough to bridge the virus-related budget gap the state is facing. Mr. Cuomo said the $2 trillion stimulus deal struck in Washington would be “terrible” for New York. The state, he said, would only be able to use $3.8 billion from the package to bridge a far-larger virus-related budget gap. But Senator Chuck Schumer’s office noted that New York would receive $40 billion in unemployment insurance, hospital grants and urgently-needed funds for the M.T.A.
New York State has 30,811 confirmed cases, up more than 5,000 since Tuesday morning. That is more than 7 percent of the 431,000 cases worldwide tallied by The New York Times. There have been 285 deaths in the state. New York City has 17,856 confirmed cases.New York State has 30,811 confirmed cases, up more than 5,000 since Tuesday morning. That is more than 7 percent of the 431,000 cases worldwide tallied by The New York Times. There have been 285 deaths in the state. New York City has 17,856 confirmed cases.
There was encouraging news from Westchester County, where the rate of infection has slowed. “We have dramatically slowed what was an exponential rate of increase,” Mr. Cuomo said. “That was the hottest cluster in the United States of America. We closed the schools, we closed gatherings, we brought in testing, and we have dramatically slowed the increase.”There was encouraging news from Westchester County, where the rate of infection has slowed. “We have dramatically slowed what was an exponential rate of increase,” Mr. Cuomo said. “That was the hottest cluster in the United States of America. We closed the schools, we closed gatherings, we brought in testing, and we have dramatically slowed the increase.”
State officials project they will need 30,000 ventilators, of which they currently have 4,000. But the state is making headway: Mr. Cuomo said 7,000 more ventilators have been procured, in addition to 4,000 ventilators sent by the federal government.State officials project they will need 30,000 ventilators, of which they currently have 4,000. But the state is making headway: Mr. Cuomo said 7,000 more ventilators have been procured, in addition to 4,000 ventilators sent by the federal government.
The governor said about 40,000 health care professionals, including retirees, have volunteered to work when hospitals become strained. Almost half are nurses.The governor said about 40,000 health care professionals, including retirees, have volunteered to work when hospitals become strained. Almost half are nurses.
More than 3,800 people are currently hospitalized, or 12 percent of all confirmed cases. Of those, 888 people are currently in intensive care.More than 3,800 people are currently hospitalized, or 12 percent of all confirmed cases. Of those, 888 people are currently in intensive care.
Mr. Cuomo’s comments came the morning after federal officials, alarmed over the infection rate in New York City, urged anyone leaving the city to quarantine themselves for 14 days before mingling with the general population elsewhere.Mr. Cuomo’s comments came the morning after federal officials, alarmed over the infection rate in New York City, urged anyone leaving the city to quarantine themselves for 14 days before mingling with the general population elsewhere.
Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said that New Yorkers who were “understandably” trying to leave for places like Florida needed to make sure they were not “seeding” the rest of the United States.Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said that New Yorkers who were “understandably” trying to leave for places like Florida needed to make sure they were not “seeding” the rest of the United States.
“When they go to another place, for their own safety, they have to be careful,” Dr. Fauci said.“When they go to another place, for their own safety, they have to be careful,” Dr. Fauci said.
Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo was once considered a bit player on the national stage, an abrasive presence who made his share of enemies among his Democratic Party peers.Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo was once considered a bit player on the national stage, an abrasive presence who made his share of enemies among his Democratic Party peers.
But now, he is emerging as the party’s most prominent voice in a time of crisis.But now, he is emerging as the party’s most prominent voice in a time of crisis.
His briefings — articulate, consistent and often tinged with empathy — have become must-see television. On Tuesday, his address was carried live on all four networks in New York and a raft of cable news stations, including Fox News.His briefings — articulate, consistent and often tinged with empathy — have become must-see television. On Tuesday, his address was carried live on all four networks in New York and a raft of cable news stations, including Fox News.
In a sign of the way Mr. Cuomo has become the new face of the Democratic Party, his address even pre-empted an appearance by former Vice President Joseph Biden on ABC’s “The View” in New York.In a sign of the way Mr. Cuomo has become the new face of the Democratic Party, his address even pre-empted an appearance by former Vice President Joseph Biden on ABC’s “The View” in New York.
The sudden spotlight has shone on Mr. Cuomo at a politically inopportune time: His friend Mr. Biden is quickly closing in on the Democratic presidential nomination, something that Mr. Cuomo — like his father, the former Gov. Mario M. Cuomo — had been said to covet.The sudden spotlight has shone on Mr. Cuomo at a politically inopportune time: His friend Mr. Biden is quickly closing in on the Democratic presidential nomination, something that Mr. Cuomo — like his father, the former Gov. Mario M. Cuomo — had been said to covet.
As twilight approached on Sunday, Jatin Prajapati set up a folding table on Roosevelt Avenue in Queens, outside a shuttered eyebrow-threading salon.As twilight approached on Sunday, Jatin Prajapati set up a folding table on Roosevelt Avenue in Queens, outside a shuttered eyebrow-threading salon.
Mr. Prajapati, who works at a pharmacy in Manhattan, spent the day handing out bags containing masks, gloves and hand sanitizer to passers-by. The items were free, which often surprised the people who took them.Mr. Prajapati, who works at a pharmacy in Manhattan, spent the day handing out bags containing masks, gloves and hand sanitizer to passers-by. The items were free, which often surprised the people who took them.
Another man, Manuel Cuzco, prayed outside St. Sebastian Roman Catholic Church, also on Roosevelt Avenue. Down the street, restaurants served their last customers for the evening and shopkeepers locked up, unsure of when they would reopen.Another man, Manuel Cuzco, prayed outside St. Sebastian Roman Catholic Church, also on Roosevelt Avenue. Down the street, restaurants served their last customers for the evening and shopkeepers locked up, unsure of when they would reopen.
Roosevelt Avenue, which runs under the elevated 7 train, is usually a bustling business corridor. But the 8 p.m. deadline — the time when officials ordered nonessential businesses to close indefinitely — was fast approaching.Roosevelt Avenue, which runs under the elevated 7 train, is usually a bustling business corridor. But the 8 p.m. deadline — the time when officials ordered nonessential businesses to close indefinitely — was fast approaching.
People carrying shopping bags scurried across the street on their way home, and the commercial strip went dark, dotted with the glow of essentials: pharmacies, markets, restaurants serving takeout and liquor stores.People carrying shopping bags scurried across the street on their way home, and the commercial strip went dark, dotted with the glow of essentials: pharmacies, markets, restaurants serving takeout and liquor stores.
Faced with a shortage of doctors, New York University’s medical school announced that it will allow students to graduate early if they agree to join the fight against the coronavirus epidemic.Faced with a shortage of doctors, New York University’s medical school announced that it will allow students to graduate early if they agree to join the fight against the coronavirus epidemic.
Only those set to graduate this year and who have met most of their requirements are allowed to take the offer.Only those set to graduate this year and who have met most of their requirements are allowed to take the offer.
The students would have to begin working as interns in the university’s internal and emergency medicine departments in April, about three months earlier than they would normally begin working.The students would have to begin working as interns in the university’s internal and emergency medicine departments in April, about three months earlier than they would normally begin working.
A spokeswoman for the university confirmed that students would be allowed to graduate early pending approval from the New York State Department of Education.A spokeswoman for the university confirmed that students would be allowed to graduate early pending approval from the New York State Department of Education.
At hospitals in New York and the region, a sense of desperation is setting in as waves of sick patients threaten to overwhelm the health care system.At hospitals in New York and the region, a sense of desperation is setting in as waves of sick patients threaten to overwhelm the health care system.
Hospitals are looking to augment their work force in any way they can. Mr. Cuomo said Wednesday that more than 40,000 people had already volunteered to provide health care.Hospitals are looking to augment their work force in any way they can. Mr. Cuomo said Wednesday that more than 40,000 people had already volunteered to provide health care.
Medical students at other New York institutions expect to be called up as well.Medical students at other New York institutions expect to be called up as well.
David Edelman, a medical student at Columbia, said that classes and rotations were canceled in early March, but students expected to be called in soon, to help with routine matters.David Edelman, a medical student at Columbia, said that classes and rotations were canceled in early March, but students expected to be called in soon, to help with routine matters.
“We need some kind of stable of support for when things are going to get worse,” he said.“We need some kind of stable of support for when things are going to get worse,” he said.
You can’t take the train to work because the governor ordered the office to close and told people to stay off mass transit except for emergencies.You can’t take the train to work because the governor ordered the office to close and told people to stay off mass transit except for emergencies.
So can you get a refund on the 30-day unlimited MetroCard you paid $127 for last week? Or on your monthly commuter rail pass?So can you get a refund on the 30-day unlimited MetroCard you paid $127 for last week? Or on your monthly commuter rail pass?
Relief is on its way, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority said, though it was not clear yet what form it would take.Relief is on its way, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority said, though it was not clear yet what form it would take.
“With respect to refunds, we’re going to do the right thing,” the authority’s chairman, Patrick J. Foye, said on NY1 on Monday.“With respect to refunds, we’re going to do the right thing,” the authority’s chairman, Patrick J. Foye, said on NY1 on Monday.
“Obviously, right now we’re in the middle of this pandemic situation and managing our way through that,” Mr. Foye said. The authority is seeking a $4 billion federal bailout to replace lost revenue from riders, and on Tuesday it cut subway service by at least 25 percent.“Obviously, right now we’re in the middle of this pandemic situation and managing our way through that,” Mr. Foye said. The authority is seeking a $4 billion federal bailout to replace lost revenue from riders, and on Tuesday it cut subway service by at least 25 percent.
When it comes to MetroCards, the authority’s current policy only allows for refunds when cards are lost, damaged or stolen. The existing refund policies of Metro-North and the Long Island Rail Road, which the authority operates, call for commuters to forfeit the 50 percent discount that comes with monthly passes if they seek refunds for unused days.When it comes to MetroCards, the authority’s current policy only allows for refunds when cards are lost, damaged or stolen. The existing refund policies of Metro-North and the Long Island Rail Road, which the authority operates, call for commuters to forfeit the 50 percent discount that comes with monthly passes if they seek refunds for unused days.
The agency’s press office said Tuesday that its plan was still being put together.The agency’s press office said Tuesday that its plan was still being put together.
New Jersey Transit, which operates trains and commuter buses in New Jersey, has a similar refund policy. Its monthly passes offer about a 35 percent discount for regular commuters, and that discount is forfeited when customers request refunds for unused days. The agency said Monday that it was not changing its policy.New Jersey Transit, which operates trains and commuter buses in New Jersey, has a similar refund policy. Its monthly passes offer about a 35 percent discount for regular commuters, and that discount is forfeited when customers request refunds for unused days. The agency said Monday that it was not changing its policy.
Mr. Foye said that riders had another option: offer a transit pass to someone who needs it. “Give your card to a firefighter, police officer, M.T.A. employee, someone who works for Con Edison or frankly to the man or woman that delivers groceries or prescription drugs from the pharmacy,” he said.Mr. Foye said that riders had another option: offer a transit pass to someone who needs it. “Give your card to a firefighter, police officer, M.T.A. employee, someone who works for Con Edison or frankly to the man or woman that delivers groceries or prescription drugs from the pharmacy,” he said.
An informal exchange has sprung up on Reddit matching people offering unlimited MetroCards to people who need them.An informal exchange has sprung up on Reddit matching people offering unlimited MetroCards to people who need them.
New York City’s taxi industry was already reeling from competition with Uber and Lyft and from the toll of drivers taking out reckless loans to buy medallions at artificially inflated prices.New York City’s taxi industry was already reeling from competition with Uber and Lyft and from the toll of drivers taking out reckless loans to buy medallions at artificially inflated prices.
Now, taxi owners and drivers who were barely holding on say their livelihood has evaporated with the city all but shut down.Now, taxi owners and drivers who were barely holding on say their livelihood has evaporated with the city all but shut down.
“When you have to wait six or seven hours to get one passenger, it’s really bad,” said Mario Darius, 66, a taxi owner who was camped out at Kennedy International Airport after picking up just three fares in three days.“When you have to wait six or seven hours to get one passenger, it’s really bad,” said Mario Darius, 66, a taxi owner who was camped out at Kennedy International Airport after picking up just three fares in three days.
Though ridership numbers for March are not yet available, some in the industry say business is down by two-thirds or more.Though ridership numbers for March are not yet available, some in the industry say business is down by two-thirds or more.
Taxi companies can no longer find enough drivers for their fleets because there is so little business, and some cabbies are so fearful of being exposed to the virus they are staying home with no way to pay mounting bills.Taxi companies can no longer find enough drivers for their fleets because there is so little business, and some cabbies are so fearful of being exposed to the virus they are staying home with no way to pay mounting bills.
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.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.
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.
Reporting was contributed by Jonah Engel Bromwich, Michael Gold, Nicole Hong, Winnie Hu, Andy Newman, Nate Schweber, Michael Schwirtz, Ashley Southall and Nikita Stewart.Reporting was contributed by Jonah Engel Bromwich, Michael Gold, Nicole Hong, Winnie Hu, Andy Newman, Nate Schweber, Michael Schwirtz, Ashley Southall and Nikita Stewart.