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N.Y. Has Only 6 Days’ Supply of Ventilators, Cuomo Says: Live Updates N.Y. Has Only 6 Days’ Supply of Ventilators, Cuomo Says: Live Updates
(about 1 hour later)
Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said on Thursday that at the rate the state is using ventilators for coronavirus patients, it only has about six days before it runs out. The warning from Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo on Thursday was ominous: At the rate the state was using ventilators for coronavirus patients, it would run out in just six days.
The remarks imposed an urgent timeline on the guidance the governor has been giving for weeks — that if New York did not get a major infusion of the potentially life-saving machines, and quickly, the number of virus-related deaths in the state would spike drastically.
“If a person comes in and needs a ventilator and you don’t have a ventilator, the person dies,” Mr. Cuomo said at his daily briefing in Albany. “That’s the blunt equation here. And right now we have a burn rate that would suggest we have about six days in the stockpile.”“If a person comes in and needs a ventilator and you don’t have a ventilator, the person dies,” Mr. Cuomo said at his daily briefing in Albany. “That’s the blunt equation here. And right now we have a burn rate that would suggest we have about six days in the stockpile.”
The dire comments came as doctors in New York City, where hospitals’ supplies are dwindling amid a flood of virus patients, cautioned that medical workers might soon need to make difficult choices about rationing care.
Across the United States, hospitals and public health officials have been working on plans for what might happen if the number of virus patients were to exceed the available space in intensive care units.
The governor said that there were 2,200 ventilators in the state’s stockpile and that about 350 new patients a day need them. At that pace, he said, “2,200 disappears very quickly.”The governor said that there were 2,200 ventilators in the state’s stockpile and that about 350 new patients a day need them. At that pace, he said, “2,200 disappears very quickly.”
On Wednesday night, Mayor Bill de Blasio said the city alone needed 400 new ventilators by Sunday to cope with an expected surge in care next week.
Mr. Cuomo said that he had spoken to President Trump on Thursday and that while he was sure “the federal government would do anything they can do to help,” he did not think New York could count on the White House to address the shortfall in time.Mr. Cuomo said that he had spoken to President Trump on Thursday and that while he was sure “the federal government would do anything they can do to help,” he did not think New York could count on the White House to address the shortfall in time.
“I don’t think the federal government is in a position to provide ventilators to the extent the nation may need them,” he said. “Assume you are on your own in life.”“I don’t think the federal government is in a position to provide ventilators to the extent the nation may need them,” he said. “Assume you are on your own in life.”
Mr. Cuomo said, however, that the state had been making contingency plans. It is trying to buy ventilators on the open market and converting BPAP machines — another kind of respiratory device — for use as ventilators. Unused ventilators from hospitals in upstate New York could also be trucked to New York City and the surrounding area as needed, he said. Mr. Cuomo said, however, that the state had been making contingency plans. It is trying to buy ventilators on the open market and converting so-called BiPAP machines — another kind of respiratory device — for use as ventilators. Unused ventilators from hospitals in upstate New York could also be trucked to New York City and the surrounding area as needed, he said.
“We have all these extraordinary measures that I believe if push comes to shove will put us in fairly good shape,” he said.“We have all these extraordinary measures that I believe if push comes to shove will put us in fairly good shape,” he said.
At the briefing, the governor also noted a “troubling” surge of over 1,000 new virus cases in Nassau County on Long Island overnight. The county now has over 10,000 confirmed cases.At the briefing, the governor also noted a “troubling” surge of over 1,000 new virus cases in Nassau County on Long Island overnight. The county now has over 10,000 confirmed cases.
Other daily statistics from the governor:Other daily statistics from the governor:
Deaths in New York State: 2,373, up 432 from 1,941 on Wednesday. New York now accounts for 42 percent of the 5,708 virus-related deaths in the United States.Deaths in New York State: 2,373, up 432 from 1,941 on Wednesday. New York now accounts for 42 percent of the 5,708 virus-related deaths in the United States.
Confirmed cases: 92,381 in New York State, up from 83,712. New York City has nearly 52,000.Confirmed cases: 92,381 in New York State, up from 83,712. New York City has nearly 52,000.
Hospitalized in New York State: 13,383, up from 12,226.Hospitalized in New York State: 13,383, up from 12,226.
In intensive care in New York State: 3,396, up from 3,022.In intensive care in New York State: 3,396, up from 3,022.
In more positive news, Mr. Cuomo said that 21,000 medical workers from outside the state had volunteered to work in New York hospitals. Including workers from New York, more than 85,000 health care professionals, many of them retirees, have raised their hands.In more positive news, Mr. Cuomo said that 21,000 medical workers from outside the state had volunteered to work in New York hospitals. Including workers from New York, more than 85,000 health care professionals, many of them retirees, have raised their hands.
And Mr. Cuomo’s brother, Chris, a CNN anchor who is infected with the virus, called in to the briefing via video and said he was “doing pretty well, all things considered.”And Mr. Cuomo’s brother, Chris, a CNN anchor who is infected with the virus, called in to the briefing via video and said he was “doing pretty well, all things considered.”
Mayor Ras J. Baraka of Newark announced Thursday that his city and three neighboring New Jersey communities were enacting aggressive measures to slow the spread of the virus.Mayor Ras J. Baraka of Newark announced Thursday that his city and three neighboring New Jersey communities were enacting aggressive measures to slow the spread of the virus.
In “Operation Lockdown,” as the effort is called, police will patrol the borders between Newark, Orange, East Orange and Irvington, and other areas, to reduce traffic between the four cities.In “Operation Lockdown,” as the effort is called, police will patrol the borders between Newark, Orange, East Orange and Irvington, and other areas, to reduce traffic between the four cities.
Other patrols are focused on breaking up gatherings outside stores, in parks and on corners. Violators will face summonses and legal action, Mr. Baraka said. The crackdown will last seven days and could be extended.Other patrols are focused on breaking up gatherings outside stores, in parks and on corners. Violators will face summonses and legal action, Mr. Baraka said. The crackdown will last seven days and could be extended.
Mr. Baraka said in a statement that people traveling back and forth between the cities, which are all in Essex County, were “making all of our neighborhoods unsafe, so we are going to have the police from our individual communities patrolling the borders to keep them from entering.”Mr. Baraka said in a statement that people traveling back and forth between the cities, which are all in Essex County, were “making all of our neighborhoods unsafe, so we are going to have the police from our individual communities patrolling the borders to keep them from entering.”
From Monday night into Tuesday morning in Newark, the authorities issued 161 summonses and closed 15 businesses, the State Police said. The next night, the police issued 125 summonses and closed five businesses.From Monday night into Tuesday morning in Newark, the authorities issued 161 summonses and closed 15 businesses, the State Police said. The next night, the police issued 125 summonses and closed five businesses.
There have been 2,617 confirmed cases of the virus and 99 deaths in Essex County as of Thursday. Only Bergen County, the state’s most populous county, has had more.There have been 2,617 confirmed cases of the virus and 99 deaths in Essex County as of Thursday. Only Bergen County, the state’s most populous county, has had more.
With 182 new deaths since Wednesday, New Jersey’s death toll from the virus more than doubled, to 537, in two days, Gov. Phil Murphy said on Thursday.With 182 new deaths since Wednesday, New Jersey’s death toll from the virus more than doubled, to 537, in two days, Gov. Phil Murphy said on Thursday.
“I know these numbers are stark — they are certainly sobering,” he said.“I know these numbers are stark — they are certainly sobering,” he said.
With another 432 deaths in New York State reported on Thursday, the death toll for New York, New Jersey and Connecticut now stands at 2,995 — more people than were killed at the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001. With another 432 deaths in New York State and 27 deaths in Connecticut reported on Thursday, the death toll for New York, New Jersey and Connecticut now stands at 3,022.
The state now has over 25,000 confirmed cases of the virus, with 3,500 people testing positive since Wednesday, the governor said.The state now has over 25,000 confirmed cases of the virus, with 3,500 people testing positive since Wednesday, the governor said.
Mr. Murphy spoke after touring a 250-bed field hospital at the Meadowlands Exposition Center in Secaucus that is expected to open on Monday. The state is building similar hospitals in Edison and Atlantic City.Mr. Murphy spoke after touring a 250-bed field hospital at the Meadowlands Exposition Center in Secaucus that is expected to open on Monday. The state is building similar hospitals in Edison and Atlantic City.
Mr. Murphy also announced that he had signed an executive order authorizing the state police to commandeer medical supplies.Mr. Murphy also announced that he had signed an executive order authorizing the state police to commandeer medical supplies.
And he noted that six people in the state had been criminally charged with assaulting law enforcement officers by spitting or coughing on them and claiming to have the virus. He called them “the first members of ‘Knucklehead Row.’” Offenders face fines of up to $10,000 and up to 18 months in jail.And he noted that six people in the state had been criminally charged with assaulting law enforcement officers by spitting or coughing on them and claiming to have the virus. He called them “the first members of ‘Knucklehead Row.’” Offenders face fines of up to $10,000 and up to 18 months in jail.
A New York City Housing Authority retiree ticked off his running tally: an ex-wife sick, a daughter sick, and three old friends dead. In Queens, a young poet learned a friend’s parents are in the hospital, one on a ventilator. New York City recorded its first coronavirus-related death of a public-school teacher this week after a third-grade teacher at Public School 9 in Brooklyn died late Tuesday, officials said.
And Qtina Parson of Parkchester in the Bronx gave a grim reversal of the cheerful family updates one expects from the proud mother, sister and aunt that she used to sound like just a couple of weeks — a lifetime — ago. “This is a tragedy for the P.S. 9 students, staff and the entire school community,” the school’s principal, Fatimah Ali, wrote in a message to parents and students about the death of the teacher, Sandra Santos-Vizcaino.
“My nephew — sick, he’s 28,” she said. “Him and his girlfriend. My sister-in-law, she’s 46, she had it.” Her son, Marcus, 18, is with relatives in South Carolina, where he has developed a fever and a cough. Ms. Santos-Vizcaino’s current and former students and colleagues shared memories of her on a tribute page.
New Yorkers have watched in helpless fear as the coronavirus, with dizzying speed and ferocity, truly took hold of the city in recent days. “No one could make me happy the way you did,” one student wrote. “I can’t imagine passing her room and not seeing her there or not even being able to ask her a question. This is all too surreal,” wrote Deirdre Levy, a fellow teacher at the school.
With almost 1,400 dead, many have already lost someone in their circle. And almost everyone now knows someone who is sick. Ms. Santos-Vizcaino’s death was not the Department of Education’s first virus-related fatality. Dez-Ann Romain, the principal of the Brooklyn Democracy Academy, died last month after becoming infected with the virus.
The rising number of cases has conversely shrunk the private worlds of some eight million individual people. It is as if the microscopic enemy, once an abstract nuisance, seemed to be closing in, its arrival announced with the now-constant peal of the ambulance siren. With 1.1 million students and over 75,000 teachers, the city’s public school system is the largest in the United States. Mayor Bill de Blasio closed the schools on March 15 under mounting pressure from parents and educators.
The rapper Tekashi69 left federal prison on Thursday four months before his two-year term was to end amid a broader push to stem the spread of the coronavirus at jails and prisons, which health advocates fear could become deadly incubators for infection.
Tekashi69, who was born Daniel Hernandez, will instead complete his sentence under home confinement, his lawyer, Lance Lazzaro, said.
Mr. Hernandez, 23, who is also known as 6ix9ine, pleaded guilty last year to a series of gang robberies and shootings and cooperated with federal prosecutors by testifying against his former associates in the Nine Trey Gangsta Bloods gang. He has asthma, which, his lawyer argued, increased his risk of becoming infected with the virus.
Judge Paul A. Engelmayer of Federal District Court in Manhattan, who sentenced Tekashi69, agreed.
Mr. Lazzaro said that the rapper had been treated for shortness of breath in the past week, but that he was feeling better.
The deans of New York State’s 15 law schools issued an extraordinary plea, asking the state’s highest court to allow students graduating this year to practice law without taking the bar examination.The deans of New York State’s 15 law schools issued an extraordinary plea, asking the state’s highest court to allow students graduating this year to practice law without taking the bar examination.
The court, the Court of Appeals, announced last week that it was canceling the bar exam that had been scheduled for July because of the virus pandemic. On Tuesday, the court said the exam would be rescheduled for September.The court, the Court of Appeals, announced last week that it was canceling the bar exam that had been scheduled for July because of the virus pandemic. On Tuesday, the court said the exam would be rescheduled for September.
In the meantime, the court said, it would consider letting lower courts authorize law school graduates working under licensed lawyers to practice law in limited circumstances.In the meantime, the court said, it would consider letting lower courts authorize law school graduates working under licensed lawyers to practice law in limited circumstances.
The law school deans, in a letter sent Wednesday, asked the court to do more.The law school deans, in a letter sent Wednesday, asked the court to do more.
“Delay in the admission of our 2020 graduates to the New York bar,” they wrote, “is likely to cause our students profound harm in a time already marked by suffering, intensifying financial hardship and exacerbating the unfairness of their plight.”“Delay in the admission of our 2020 graduates to the New York bar,” they wrote, “is likely to cause our students profound harm in a time already marked by suffering, intensifying financial hardship and exacerbating the unfairness of their plight.”
The deans asked the court, at a minimum, to grant all students graduating this year provisional authorization to practice law for 18 months. If they do not pass the bar exam by then, the permission would be rescinded.The deans asked the court, at a minimum, to grant all students graduating this year provisional authorization to practice law for 18 months. If they do not pass the bar exam by then, the permission would be rescinded.
The deans also made a more ambitious request: that the court consider letting graduates working under licensed lawyers “seek admission to the bar without sitting for the bar examination.”The deans also made a more ambitious request: that the court consider letting graduates working under licensed lawyers “seek admission to the bar without sitting for the bar examination.”
Three weeks after the virus was first detected in New York City’s jails, including Rikers Island, four in 10 inmates were being held in quarantine as the number of cases continued to rise.Three weeks after the virus was first detected in New York City’s jails, including Rikers Island, four in 10 inmates were being held in quarantine as the number of cases continued to rise.
The latest quarantine figures were released late Wednesday by the city’s Board of Correction, which monitors the city’s jails.The latest quarantine figures were released late Wednesday by the city’s Board of Correction, which monitors the city’s jails.
Correction officials said separately that as of Thursday morning, 223 staff members, 231 inmates and 38 health care workers assigned to the jails had tested positive for the virus.Correction officials said separately that as of Thursday morning, 223 staff members, 231 inmates and 38 health care workers assigned to the jails had tested positive for the virus.
Inmates were now being screened for symptoms before being arraigned, board officials said.Inmates were now being screened for symptoms before being arraigned, board officials said.
Officials have moved to release about 900 detainees from the jails in the past two weeks to stem the virus’s spread. But inmates and correction staff members have said that conditions at the jails were still unsanitary.Officials have moved to release about 900 detainees from the jails in the past two weeks to stem the virus’s spread. But inmates and correction staff members have said that conditions at the jails were still unsanitary.
Inmates have found inventive ways to protect themselves, using diluted shampoo as a disinfectant and alcohol pads from a jail barber to sanitize phones.Inmates have found inventive ways to protect themselves, using diluted shampoo as a disinfectant and alcohol pads from a jail barber to sanitize phones.
Jail workers have complained about not having access to protective gear like masks and gloves, and about what they said was a failure to notify them when they had come into contact with a someone who had been infected.Jail workers have complained about not having access to protective gear like masks and gloves, and about what they said was a failure to notify them when they had come into contact with a someone who had been infected.
At SUNY Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn, the operating rooms have been freed up and the cafeteria has been turned into a medical ward. On Mr. Cuomo’s orders, the hospital is to begin treating virus patients exclusively, and officials have been told to make way for hundreds of such patients.
“We’re really scrubbing the deck,” said Dr. Wayne J. Riley, the president of the hospital, which is part of the State University of New York system and among Brooklyn’s largest employers.
The number of virus patients at the hospital is already nearing 200, Dr. Riley said, and the SUNY Downstate expects up to 150 more. Patients with other ailments will be transferred to either the Navy hospital ship Comfort or to makeshift wards at the Javits Convention Center.
The governor has designated two other state facilities, South Beach Psychiatric Facility in Staten Island and Westchester Square in the Bronx, for virus patients specifically.
As at other hospitals in New York City, the virus has taken a toll on SUNY Downstate, where resources are running low and doctors and nurses continue to get sick.
Even in normal times, the hospital has struggled. It is chronically underfunded and has not had serious capital improvements since it was built in 1963.
SUNY Downstate serves a population that is among the city’s poorest, with high rates of the conditions that can increase the risk of dying of the virus, including obesity, diabetes and hypertension.
“I’m concerned that this pandemic will exacerbate health care disparities for the patients we serve,” said Dr. Riley, who is in his third year as the hospital’s president. “The pandemic has a particular predilection for patients like ours.”
More than 800,000 residents the New York region, including New Jersey and Connecticut, have applied for unemployment benefits in the last two weeks as the coronavirus pandemic has brought the economy to a virtual standstill.More than 800,000 residents the New York region, including New Jersey and Connecticut, have applied for unemployment benefits in the last two weeks as the coronavirus pandemic has brought the economy to a virtual standstill.
If you are an employer or a worker who is unemployed, go here to share your story. A reporter or editor may contact you. Your information will not be published without your consent.If you are an employer or a worker who is unemployed, go here to share your story. A reporter or editor may contact you. Your information will not be published without your consent.
Reporting was contributed by Kevin Armstrong, Anne Barnard, Jonah Engel Bromwich, Alan Feuer, Michael Gold, Virginia Heffernan, Corey Kilgannon, Adam Liptak, Andy Newman, Jan Ransom, Andrea Salcedo, Nate Schweber, Michael Schwirtz, Matt Stevens and Michael Wilson. Reporting was contributed by Kevin Armstrong, Anne Barnard, Jonah Engel Bromwich, Nancy Coleman, Alan Feuer, Michael Gold, Virginia Heffernan, Corey Kilgannon, Adam Liptak, Andy Newman, Jan Ransom, Melena Ryzik, Andrea Salcedo, Nate Schweber, Eliza Shapiro, Matt Stevens and Michael Wilson.