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US coronavirus live: Trump floats three-state quarantine as New York deaths rise to 728 US coronavirus live: Trump floats three-state quarantine as New York deaths rise to 728
(32 minutes later)
Trump mulls measures for New York, New Jersey and Connecticut while Cuomo says daily hospitalizations and ICU admissions down – follow the latest liveTrump mulls measures for New York, New Jersey and Connecticut while Cuomo says daily hospitalizations and ICU admissions down – follow the latest live
One day after announcing her state’s first two deaths from the coronavirus, Rhode Island governor Gina Raimondo has issued an order mandating that residents stay at home.
Raimondo said the directive will extend through 13 April and will ban gatherings of more than five people, shutter all non-essential businesses for two weeks and mandate that all people entering into the state for a nonwork-related purpose self-quarantine for 14 days.
“Today, I’m issuing a stay at home order that will be in place until April 13. This means unless you’re getting food, medicine, gas or going to work, you need to stay home,” Raimondo said.
She continued: “You can go outside to get some fresh air, but if you leave your home, keep the time out to a minimum and always keep 6 feet away from others. Starting immediately, all gatherings of more than 5 people are banned. This means everywhere. If you have to go to work, you should be limiting your time there and interacting with as few people as possible.
“In addition, starting immediately, any person coming to RI by any mode of transportation after visiting any other state for a non-work-related purpose must self-quarantine for 14 days. This restriction will not apply to public health, public safety or healthcare workers.
“I want to make a note to commuters. As I’ve already said, if you’re able to work from home, you’re required to do so. If you live in RI and work in another state at a job where you can’t work from home, you can go to work. But when you come home to RI, you must self-quarantine. Starting Monday, all non-essential retail businesses must shut down their stores. I don’t make this decision lightly, but I’m hearing too many reports of crowded stores. So for now, we need you to shop online to support your local retailers.”
The death of one person in their 80s on Friday night and another in their 70s on Saturday in Rhode Island leaves only three US states with zero reported deaths: Hawaii, West Virginia and Wyoming.
More than 200 people have been confirmed to have the virus in the Ocean State, according to the Rhode Island department of health.
A supplemental pool nugget – the best kind of nugget – lands in the Guardian’s nugget-riddled inbox:
“Deplaned” – the most irritating bit of official-ese in current use? Probably not. But it would still be nice to be able to tell anyone who uses it… where to get off.
Trump is back at the White House after his visit to Norfolk, Virginia for the departure of the USNS Comfort, the navy hospital ship which is heading for New York. On arrival the president did not answer questions, the pool reports, about his remarks about possible quarantine for the Empire state, New Jersey and Connecticut.Trump is back at the White House after his visit to Norfolk, Virginia for the departure of the USNS Comfort, the navy hospital ship which is heading for New York. On arrival the president did not answer questions, the pool reports, about his remarks about possible quarantine for the Empire state, New Jersey and Connecticut.
Here’s what was said at Joint Base Andrews earlier, as rendered by the pool reporter:Here’s what was said at Joint Base Andrews earlier, as rendered by the pool reporter:
Trump’s remarks have certainly sewed confusion, seeming to blindside New York governor Andrew Cuomo as he gave a press conference in Albany, the state capital. Trump’s remarks have certainly sowed confusion, seeming to blindside New York governor Andrew Cuomo as he gave a press conference in Albany, the state capital.
At Joint Base Andrews, the president said: “I’ll speak to the governor about it later.”At Joint Base Andrews, the president said: “I’ll speak to the governor about it later.”
Here’s Victoria Bekiempis with the report on the day so far:Here’s Victoria Bekiempis with the report on the day so far:
Florida governor Ron DeSantis says his administration is looking into ways to secure the state border amid the coronavirus pandemic, saying “it’s not fair to the people of Florida” that outsiders have continued to flock to the state.Florida governor Ron DeSantis says his administration is looking into ways to secure the state border amid the coronavirus pandemic, saying “it’s not fair to the people of Florida” that outsiders have continued to flock to the state.
“I don’t as governor have the ability to shut down flights,” he says during his daily briefing. “But I think it’s an issue when people who are in the hot zone, then leaving the hot zone, to come to different parts of the country.”“I don’t as governor have the ability to shut down flights,” he says during his daily briefing. “But I think it’s an issue when people who are in the hot zone, then leaving the hot zone, to come to different parts of the country.”
DeSantis says they have instituted a 14-day self-quarantine for all visitors from New York airports. All arrivals are met by National Guard and Department of Health personnel to be screened, provided information and given the instruction about self-isolation.DeSantis says they have instituted a 14-day self-quarantine for all visitors from New York airports. All arrivals are met by National Guard and Department of Health personnel to be screened, provided information and given the instruction about self-isolation.
The governor says he’s signed an executive order to establish a checkpoint at the Louisiana state border on Interstate 10 to inspect people entering the state and his administration is looking to the same at the border on I-95, the point of entry for most New Yorkers.The governor says he’s signed an executive order to establish a checkpoint at the Louisiana state border on Interstate 10 to inspect people entering the state and his administration is looking to the same at the border on I-95, the point of entry for most New Yorkers.
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Florida has soared to 3,763, more than five times the total of 706 from a week ago. Eight more deaths were reported overnight on Saturday, bringing the overall total to 54.The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Florida has soared to 3,763, more than five times the total of 706 from a week ago. Eight more deaths were reported overnight on Saturday, bringing the overall total to 54.
The Associated Press reports that New Orleans mayor LaToya Cantrell’s administration is asking for donations of protective equipment:The Associated Press reports that New Orleans mayor LaToya Cantrell’s administration is asking for donations of protective equipment:
The Bayou State has emerged as one of the biggest hotspots of the pandemic with deaths from Covid-19 surging by more than 40% in a single day earlier this week.The Bayou State has emerged as one of the biggest hotspots of the pandemic with deaths from Covid-19 surging by more than 40% in a single day earlier this week.
There were more than 3,300 confirmed cases as of Saturday morning’s latest update with 549 new cases since Friday. The number of reported deaths is up to 137, up from 119 yesterday.There were more than 3,300 confirmed cases as of Saturday morning’s latest update with 549 new cases since Friday. The number of reported deaths is up to 137, up from 119 yesterday.
Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau says anyone showing symptoms of Covid-19 will not be allowed to board domestic flights or intercity trains. The directive will go into effect on Monday at noon.Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau says anyone showing symptoms of Covid-19 will not be allowed to board domestic flights or intercity trains. The directive will go into effect on Monday at noon.
“It will be important for operators of airlines and trains to ensure that people who are exhibiting symptoms do not board those trains,” Trudeau said during his daily address. “It will be a Transport Canada rule that will be enforced, but at the same time, we’re telling people stay home if it’s not absolutely essential for you to travel.”“It will be important for operators of airlines and trains to ensure that people who are exhibiting symptoms do not board those trains,” Trudeau said during his daily address. “It will be a Transport Canada rule that will be enforced, but at the same time, we’re telling people stay home if it’s not absolutely essential for you to travel.”
The Public Health Agency of Canada will provide guidance to air operators and rail companies on conducting health checks on passengers boarding flights and trains within Canada or departing the country.The Public Health Agency of Canada will provide guidance to air operators and rail companies on conducting health checks on passengers boarding flights and trains within Canada or departing the country.
Ohio governor Mike DeWine says Battelle labs has developed technology that would sterilize PPE masks and makes a public appeal for the FDA to give approval for its implementation, adding that it would help in current hotspots like Seattle and New York. The governor says the process could sterilize 80,000 masks per machine daily.Ohio governor Mike DeWine says Battelle labs has developed technology that would sterilize PPE masks and makes a public appeal for the FDA to give approval for its implementation, adding that it would help in current hotspots like Seattle and New York. The governor says the process could sterilize 80,000 masks per machine daily.
“Please, please approve these. This would boost our capacity to be able to re-use these,” DeWine says at his ongoing news conference at the state house in Columbus. “Please do this. It really is truly a matter of life and death.”“Please, please approve these. This would boost our capacity to be able to re-use these,” DeWine says at his ongoing news conference at the state house in Columbus. “Please do this. It really is truly a matter of life and death.”
He follows with a second plea to Quest and LabCorps to ramp up their testing capacity, saying the state’s confirmed total coronavirus cases climbed to 1,406, including 344 hospitalizations and 25 deaths, with the apex expected in mid-May.He follows with a second plea to Quest and LabCorps to ramp up their testing capacity, saying the state’s confirmed total coronavirus cases climbed to 1,406, including 344 hospitalizations and 25 deaths, with the apex expected in mid-May.
Trump is now speaking in front of the USNS Comfort hospital ship, which sets sail Saturday for coronavirus-stricken New York City. The USNS Comfort is due to arrive in Manhattan on Monday.Trump is now speaking in front of the USNS Comfort hospital ship, which sets sail Saturday for coronavirus-stricken New York City. The USNS Comfort is due to arrive in Manhattan on Monday.
Trump’s travel to Norfolk, Virginia to bid the USNS Comfort bon voyage stands at odds with public health officials’s advisories against non-essential travel due to coronavirus.Trump’s travel to Norfolk, Virginia to bid the USNS Comfort bon voyage stands at odds with public health officials’s advisories against non-essential travel due to coronavirus.
“This great ship behind me is a 70,000-ton message of hope and solidarity to the incredible people of New York, a place I know very well, a place I love,” Trump says. “We are with you all the way, and always will be.”“This great ship behind me is a 70,000-ton message of hope and solidarity to the incredible people of New York, a place I know very well, a place I love,” Trump says. “We are with you all the way, and always will be.”
“You have the unwavering support of the entire nation, the entire government, and the entire American people,” Trump says.“You have the unwavering support of the entire nation, the entire government, and the entire American people,” Trump says.
Trump’s message of unity toward New York came in the wake of comments that he was weighing the imposition of a quarantine on this state, as well as New Jersey and parts of Connecticut.Trump’s message of unity toward New York came in the wake of comments that he was weighing the imposition of a quarantine on this state, as well as New Jersey and parts of Connecticut.
New York governor Andrew Cuomo said at a press conference that Trump hadn’t mentioned a possible quarantine during a call with him earlier.New York governor Andrew Cuomo said at a press conference that Trump hadn’t mentioned a possible quarantine during a call with him earlier.
“We will stop at nothing to protect the health of New Yorkers, and the health of people in our country,” Trump also says in front of the USNS Comfort, insisting that people from the New York metro area self-quarantine if they travel elsewhere.“We will stop at nothing to protect the health of New Yorkers, and the health of people in our country,” Trump also says in front of the USNS Comfort, insisting that people from the New York metro area self-quarantine if they travel elsewhere.
“I am now considering, and will make a decision very quickly, very shortly, a quarantine because it’s such a hot area of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, we’ll be announcing that one way or another fairly soon,” he also said. “This does not apply to people such as truckers from outside the New York area … it won’t affect trade in any way.”“I am now considering, and will make a decision very quickly, very shortly, a quarantine because it’s such a hot area of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, we’ll be announcing that one way or another fairly soon,” he also said. “This does not apply to people such as truckers from outside the New York area … it won’t affect trade in any way.”
Houston mayor Sylvester Turner says there are 232 positive Covid-19 cases (up from 69 yesterday) in Texas’s biggest metropolis during a briefing at ISD’s Butler Stadium, the city’s first non-private testing site. “The numbers will rise as we continue testing,” he says.Houston mayor Sylvester Turner says there are 232 positive Covid-19 cases (up from 69 yesterday) in Texas’s biggest metropolis during a briefing at ISD’s Butler Stadium, the city’s first non-private testing site. “The numbers will rise as we continue testing,” he says.
The mayor says the second coronavirus death has been recorded today and three more Houston police officers have tested positive, bringing the total count to seven.The mayor says the second coronavirus death has been recorded today and three more Houston police officers have tested positive, bringing the total count to seven.
“It is our intent collectively to blunt the progression of this virus,” Turner says. “To slow down the growth, the spread, so that our healthcare delivery system is not overwhelmed. We see what’s happening in New York and in Louisiana and in other places. We’re trying to get ahead of that, to slow the progression, and so we need everyone to really take this situation seriously.”“It is our intent collectively to blunt the progression of this virus,” Turner says. “To slow down the growth, the spread, so that our healthcare delivery system is not overwhelmed. We see what’s happening in New York and in Louisiana and in other places. We’re trying to get ahead of that, to slow the progression, and so we need everyone to really take this situation seriously.”
He adds: “People may just look at the numbers and say the numbers in New York are 25,000 and the state of New York are 45,000, but in the city of Houston the numbers are just 232. And there are 2.3 million people just in the city alone and over five million people in our surrounding region, so that’s not a big deal. Well let me just say, the testing has been limited. We know that there are more cases. And the way I look at it is, I take 232 and I multiply it times 10. Because we just dont know. Don’t get bogged down on the numbers. The more testing we do, the numbers are going to rise.”He adds: “People may just look at the numbers and say the numbers in New York are 25,000 and the state of New York are 45,000, but in the city of Houston the numbers are just 232. And there are 2.3 million people just in the city alone and over five million people in our surrounding region, so that’s not a big deal. Well let me just say, the testing has been limited. We know that there are more cases. And the way I look at it is, I take 232 and I multiply it times 10. Because we just dont know. Don’t get bogged down on the numbers. The more testing we do, the numbers are going to rise.”
Trump’s proposal of an “enforcable quarantine” for parts of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut was the big news from his press gaggle before departing on Marine One for Norfolk, where he is scheduled to make remarks and bid bon voyage to the USNS Comfort, which is bound for New York to provide relief to hospitals overwhelmed with responding to the coronavirus.Trump’s proposal of an “enforcable quarantine” for parts of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut was the big news from his press gaggle before departing on Marine One for Norfolk, where he is scheduled to make remarks and bid bon voyage to the USNS Comfort, which is bound for New York to provide relief to hospitals overwhelmed with responding to the coronavirus.
Moments ago, he made it Twitter official.Moments ago, he made it Twitter official.
Some of the toplines from New York governor Andrew Cuomo’s daily briefing, which ended moments ago:Some of the toplines from New York governor Andrew Cuomo’s daily briefing, which ended moments ago:
Cuomo said the price of a ventilator has increased from $25,000 when the state began purchasing to about $45,000 today due to the spike in demandCuomo said the price of a ventilator has increased from $25,000 when the state began purchasing to about $45,000 today due to the spike in demand
New York pharmacies have been asked to deliver medications free of chargeNew York pharmacies have been asked to deliver medications free of charge
President Trump has approved four additional temporary hospital sites with a total capacity of 4,000 additional bedsPresident Trump has approved four additional temporary hospital sites with a total capacity of 4,000 additional beds
Cuomo says 600 beds will be reserved for coronavirus patients only at three of the purpose-built sitesCuomo says 600 beds will be reserved for coronavirus patients only at three of the purpose-built sites
The number of New York coronavirus cases increased to 52,318 and deaths to 728 – but hospitalizations dropped from 847 on Friday from 1,154 on ThursdayThe number of New York coronavirus cases increased to 52,318 and deaths to 728 – but hospitalizations dropped from 847 on Friday from 1,154 on Thursday
Cuomo says he did not discuss a potential “enforceable quarantine” for New York, New Jersey and Connecticut in reference to Trump’s comments on the North Lawn only moments earlierCuomo says he did not discuss a potential “enforceable quarantine” for New York, New Jersey and Connecticut in reference to Trump’s comments on the North Lawn only moments earlier
The New York police department saw its third coronavirus death on Saturday, with the passing of a detective, the New York Post reported. The detective, who worked at a precinct station house in Manhattan’s Harlem neighborhood, was 48. An NYPD administrative aide, and a department janitor, died Thursday due to Covid-19. On Friday, the police department said Friday that 442 uniformed, and 70 civilian, members tested positive for coronavirus. There were 4,111 uniformed employees who called out sick, comprising 11.4% of NYPD’s uniformed workforce.
Cuomo says he believes the broad distribution of a home test for people, to ensure the state is on the downside of the apex, is the most direct route toward re-opening the economy. “Get those home tests that other countries are starting to use and let people test themselves,” he says. “You could get to a point where you say ... do the test, you’re negative, go to work, period.”
The governor adds that he is against raising taxes to generate more revenue in the state budget: “I don’t know how you raise taxes on people who are out of work and their business has closed because the government needs more funding. I don’t know how you do that now.”
Cuomo says he did not discuss a potential “enforceable quarantine” for New York, New Jersey and Connecticut when he spoke with President Trump earlier today. “I haven’t had those conversations,” he says. “I don’t even know what that means.”
His response to a follow-up question about Trump’s proposed quarantine on the North Lawn: “I don’t even know what that means. I don’t know how that could be legally enforceable. And from a medical point of view I don’t know what you would be accomplishing. But I can tell you I don’t even like the sound of it. Not even understanding what it is, I don’t even like the sound of it.”
He adds: “Mandatory quarantine is a scary concept because it sounds like you’re saying to people: ‘You can’t leave this district.’”
In New York, Cuomo is now being asked about Trump’s remarks.
He spoke to the president “about the ship coming up and the four sites”, he says, adding: “I didn’t speak to him about any quarantine.”
More from the White House pool about Trump’s remarks during his trip to Norfolk, Virginia about a potential quarantine for New York and neighbouring states:
Pool reporter Emily Goodin of the Daily Mail adds: “Please note there is a limited pool of seven traveling with [Trump] so we can employ safe social distancing practices with an empty seat in between each of us on the plane. Additionally, the pool underwent a temperature check … before boarding.”
Cuomo says they can’t have a scenario where states are competing against each other for equipment like ventilators. He suggests the federal government could act as a single purchasing agent and distribute the equipment to the states – or the states could set up a consortium on their own.
“You can’t have a situation where 50 states are competing for the same essential equipment,” he says. “This is not the way to do business. We need a nationwide buying consortium. ... This is something that needs to be worked out, not just for this but for the future.”
Here’s the White House pool report on what Trump said just now:
The report adds that Trump’s helicopter departed for his trip to Norfolk, Virginia with new chief of staff Mark Meadows also on board.
Cuomo says there are 7,328 people who have been hospitalized with 1,755 people in ICUs, but notes that daily hospitalizations and ICU admissions went down yesterday. The bad news: total deaths in New York are up to 728 from 519 yesterday.
“I wouldn’t put too much stock in any one number. The overall trend is still up,” Cuomo says. “The numbers drive the policy.”
He also says New York’s department of health will begin a new test to see if individuals who were infected with coronavirus developed antibodies to the disease, saying: “It could be a big breakthrough”
While Andrew Cuomo speaks in New York, Donald Trump has been speaking about New York, in Washington:
According to Idrees Ali of Reuters, the president also said “quarantine would also be considered on New Jersey and Connecticut, would rather not do it but may need it”.
Cuomo hasn’t mentioned possible quarantine of New York yet.
The president is due in Norfolk, Virginia later, for the departure of the USNS Comfort, a hospital ship destined for New York harbour.
Cuomo told his press conference he had spoken to the president today, and Trump had approved four more emergency hospital facilities like the one built at the Javits Center in Manhattan by the Army Corps of Engineers and the national guard, which Cuomo said will open on Monday. The new facilities will be built in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island.
Cuomo says the federal government has authorized four more field hospitals with a total capacity of 4,000 additional beds. They will be located in the four outer boroughs of Brooklyn (the Cruise Ship Terminal), Queens (the Aqueduct Racetrack), Staten Island (CUNY Staten Island) and the Bronx (the NY Expo Center). He adds there will be a shift to coronavirus-only hospitals to further limit the risk of spread. “This is smart and we’re going to isolate 600 beds for just this treatment,” he says.
Also, the New York state presidential primary scheduled for April 28 has been re-scheduled for 23 June.
Cuomo says that local hospitals statewide must stop operating as individual institutions and start cooperating to help deal with the anticipated rush. “We need the local health systems to think more holistically,” he says. “You can have a single hospital get overwhelmed within that system. ... The local health systems have to change their orientation where it’s not hospital by hospital, which is the normal culture.”
If downstate hospitals become overwhelmed, those patients may be moved upstate. He adds: “Patients can and should be moved among those local hospitals as the need requires. staff can and should be moved among those local hospitals as the circumstances require.”