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N.Y. Virus Deaths Double in Three Days to Almost 3,000: Live Updates N.Y. Virus Deaths Double in Three Days to Almost 3,000: Live Updates
(30 minutes later)
The coronavirus is taking lives at a devastating pace in New York, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said, with deaths nearly doubling in just three days, from 1,550 on Tuesday to 2,935 on Friday.The coronavirus is taking lives at a devastating pace in New York, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said, with deaths nearly doubling in just three days, from 1,550 on Tuesday to 2,935 on Friday.
More people in New York died from the virus in the last 24 hours — 562 — than in the first 27 days of March.More people in New York died from the virus in the last 24 hours — 562 — than in the first 27 days of March.
“It’s hard to go through this all day and then it’s hard to stay up all night, watching those numbers come in and the number of deaths tick up,” the governor said at his daily briefing in Albany. “It’s hard to go through this all day, and then it’s hard to stay up all night, watching those numbers come in and the number of deaths tick up,” the governor said at his daily briefing in Albany.
New York now accounts for about 45 percent of the nation’s total of virus deaths.New York now accounts for about 45 percent of the nation’s total of virus deaths.
On Friday, for the first time, the state recorded more than 10,000 positive tests for the virus in a single day, as the total count broke 100,000: There are now 102,863 confirmed cases in New York State, up from 92,381 on Thursday. New York City has 57,159 cases — nearly a quarter of the confirmed cases in the whole country. On Friday, for the first time, the state recorded more than 10,000 positive tests for the virus in one day: There are now 102,863 confirmed cases in New York State, up from 92,381 on Thursday. New York City has 57,159 cases — nearly a quarter of the confirmed cases in the whole country.
The number of cases in the state has almost doubled since last Friday. The number of people hospitalized and the number on ventilators have both more than doubled since then. The number of cases in the state has almost doubled since last Friday. The number of people hospitalized and the number of patients on ventilators have both more than doubled since then.
With the need for medical equipment, including ventilators, remaining dire, Mr. Cuomo said he was signing an executive order authorizing the state to seize and redistribute ventilators, masks and other supplies from hospitals and private-sector companies that did not immediately need them. With hospitals still in dire need of medical equipment, including ventilators, Mr. Cuomo said he was signing an executive order authorizing the state to seize and redistribute ventilators, masks and other supplies from hospitals and private-sector companies that did not immediately need them.
“I’m not going to let people die because we didn’t redistribute ventilators,” he said.“I’m not going to let people die because we didn’t redistribute ventilators,” he said.
He said that any equipment commandeered would be returned after the crisis ends. When a reporter asked whether private hospitals might raise legal objections to the seizures, Mr. Cuomo answered, “If they want to sue me for borrowing their excess ventilators to save lives, let them sue me.” He said that any equipment commandeered would be returned after the crisis. When a reporter asked whether private hospitals might raise legal objections to the seizures, Mr. Cuomo answered, “If they want to sue me for borrowing their excess ventilators to save lives, let them sue me.”
Rep. Elise Stefanik, a Republican congresswoman who represents the state’s 21st district, a rural region that borders Vermont, said on Twitter that she was “very concerned” about the order. Representative Elise Stefanik, a Republican congresswoman who represents the state’s 21st district, a rural region that borders Vermont, said on Twitter that she was “very concerned” about the order.
“I represent demographically the largest number of seniors of any District in New York,” she said. “This is the most vulnerable age group facing COVID-19 and needs to be considered.”“I represent demographically the largest number of seniors of any District in New York,” she said. “This is the most vulnerable age group facing COVID-19 and needs to be considered.”
Searching for a bright spot amid the grim news, Mr. Cuomo said that emergency hospital admissions unrelated to Covid-19 have fallen because the virus, and the restrictions associated with it, have caused traffic and crime to drop sharply. This has made the crisis slightly less overwhelming for the health care system than it would be otherwise.Searching for a bright spot amid the grim news, Mr. Cuomo said that emergency hospital admissions unrelated to Covid-19 have fallen because the virus, and the restrictions associated with it, have caused traffic and crime to drop sharply. This has made the crisis slightly less overwhelming for the health care system than it would be otherwise.
“You don’t have the same crime rate, so you don’t have the same number of trauma cases coming into the hospital,” he said.“You don’t have the same crime rate, so you don’t have the same number of trauma cases coming into the hospital,” he said.
Gov. Philip D. Murphy of New Jersey announced 4,372 new coronavirus cases on Friday, bringing the state’s total to 29,895. There were 113 new deaths reported, for a total of 646.
Governor Murphy said he had ordered that flags be lowered to half-staff across the state “effective immediately and indefinitely to honor those we have lost and those we will lose.”
The governor cited the deaths of James Brown, the 48-year-old principal of the Grover Cleveland Middle School in Caldwell, and jazz guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli, 94, who was born in Paterson, N.J., and died in Saddle River, N.J.
The decision to lower the flags was made in part to commemorate the dead at a time when people are unable to gather for funerals, Governor Murphy said, and to “find some ways to acknowledge the totality of this loss.”
He added: “We must have a constant and visible memorial of the tremendous personal toll Covid-19 is having on our communities.”
Mayor Bill de Blasio called Thursday night for doctors and other medical workers across the country to be drafted and sent to the places where coronavirus has hit hardest — starting in New York.Mayor Bill de Blasio called Thursday night for doctors and other medical workers across the country to be drafted and sent to the places where coronavirus has hit hardest — starting in New York.
“Unless there is a national effort to enlist doctors, nurses, hospital workers of all kinds and get them where they are needed most in the country in time,” Mr. de Blasio said on MSNBC Friday morning. “I don’t see, honestly, how we’re going to have the professionals we need to get through this crisis.”“Unless there is a national effort to enlist doctors, nurses, hospital workers of all kinds and get them where they are needed most in the country in time,” Mr. de Blasio said on MSNBC Friday morning. “I don’t see, honestly, how we’re going to have the professionals we need to get through this crisis.”
He added: “This country is not in position to deal with this crisis going forward. Whatever we’ve seen up till now, I’m guaranteeing you that next week is going to be a lot tougher.”He added: “This country is not in position to deal with this crisis going forward. Whatever we’ve seen up till now, I’m guaranteeing you that next week is going to be a lot tougher.”
New York City is the center of the outbreak in the United States. Nearly 50,000 people have tested positive, and 1,500 have died in the city, more than 1,000 of them in the past week alone. The city’s emergency medical system is overwhelmed.New York City is the center of the outbreak in the United States. Nearly 50,000 people have tested positive, and 1,500 have died in the city, more than 1,000 of them in the past week alone. The city’s emergency medical system is overwhelmed.
Mr. de Blasio has been asking for days for military medical personnel to be sent to New York but had not sought a draft of civilian doctors before.Mr. de Blasio has been asking for days for military medical personnel to be sent to New York but had not sought a draft of civilian doctors before.
He said in a statement on Thursday: “The federal government must step up and provide the reinforcements we need. The battle will be long, and we cannot fight it alone.”He said in a statement on Thursday: “The federal government must step up and provide the reinforcements we need. The battle will be long, and we cannot fight it alone.”
Mr. de Blasio repeated his warning that this coming Sunday is a crucial day in the fight against the virus — “D-Day,” he again called it on CNN Friday morning. He said that if critical supplies do not arrive soon, hundreds, and then thousands, will die.Mr. de Blasio repeated his warning that this coming Sunday is a crucial day in the fight against the virus — “D-Day,” he again called it on CNN Friday morning. He said that if critical supplies do not arrive soon, hundreds, and then thousands, will die.
After an outcry over the slow pace of patient transfers to the hospital ship U.S.N.S. Comfort in New York, the Navy announced Friday that it would streamline its screening process.
The 1,000-bed ship arrived Monday to treat patients who do not have the coronavirus, in order to free up space in onshore hospitals overwhelmed with virus patients. But by Thursday evening, it had taken on only 20 patients.
Going forward, patients will be evaluated at the Comfort’s dock on Manhattan’s West Side, rather than at city hospitals, the Navy said in a statement.
And patients will no longer have to test negative for the coronavirus, but will fill out a short medical questionnaire and have their temperatures taken.
Initially, the Defense Department had insisted that patients be screened at city hospitals and test negative for the virus before being taken to the Comfort.
A spokeswoman for the Navy said an updated patient census for Friday was not yet available.
On Thursday evening, Governor Cuomo announced that the Javits Convention Center, another alternative hospital site run by the military, would begin taking coronavirus patients, a reversal of the initial policy.
One out of every six New York City police officers is out sick or in quarantine. A veteran detective and five civilian workers have died from the disease caused by the coronavirus. And two chiefs and the deputy commissioner in charge of counterterrorism are among more than 1,500 others in the department who have been infected.One out of every six New York City police officers is out sick or in quarantine. A veteran detective and five civilian workers have died from the disease caused by the coronavirus. And two chiefs and the deputy commissioner in charge of counterterrorism are among more than 1,500 others in the department who have been infected.
With weeks to go before the epidemic is expected to peak, the virus has already strained the Police Department at a time when its 36,000 officers have been asked to step up and help fight it by enforcing emergency rules intended to slow its spread.With weeks to go before the epidemic is expected to peak, the virus has already strained the Police Department at a time when its 36,000 officers have been asked to step up and help fight it by enforcing emergency rules intended to slow its spread.
The epidemic has also added a new level of risk and anxiety to police work, even as reports of most serious crimes have dropped steeply since the city imposed the new rules. Every arrest or interview now carries the potential for infection, officers say.The epidemic has also added a new level of risk and anxiety to police work, even as reports of most serious crimes have dropped steeply since the city imposed the new rules. Every arrest or interview now carries the potential for infection, officers say.
“It’s a stressful job at the best of times,” the police commissioner, Dermot F. Shea, said on Tuesday. “Right now, I don’t think you can imagine a worse point of time.”“It’s a stressful job at the best of times,” the police commissioner, Dermot F. Shea, said on Tuesday. “Right now, I don’t think you can imagine a worse point of time.”
Governor Cuomo has, for weeks, had to strike a delicate balance in his handling of President Trump and the federal response to the coronavirus. It is a daily dance that employs equal parts open flattery and indirect attack, bended knee and sleight of hand.Governor Cuomo has, for weeks, had to strike a delicate balance in his handling of President Trump and the federal response to the coronavirus. It is a daily dance that employs equal parts open flattery and indirect attack, bended knee and sleight of hand.
In practical terms, that plays out in the governor’s complimenting the president by name, but seldom attacking him that way.In practical terms, that plays out in the governor’s complimenting the president by name, but seldom attacking him that way.
Mr. Trump has returned the gesture. On Thursday, the White House released a letter that he sent to Senator Chuck Schumer of New York, the Democratic leader, accusing him of failing to better prepare New York for the virus and suggesting that Mr. Schumer begin working with Mr. Cuomo “for the good of all New Yorkers.”Mr. Trump has returned the gesture. On Thursday, the White House released a letter that he sent to Senator Chuck Schumer of New York, the Democratic leader, accusing him of failing to better prepare New York for the virus and suggesting that Mr. Schumer begin working with Mr. Cuomo “for the good of all New Yorkers.”
“The trick to Trump is not to embarrass him in public,” said Hank Sheinkopf, a veteran Democratic political consultant. “Being a Trump whisperer means he can criticize him obliquely, by talking about the national government’s failure to respond.“The trick to Trump is not to embarrass him in public,” said Hank Sheinkopf, a veteran Democratic political consultant. “Being a Trump whisperer means he can criticize him obliquely, by talking about the national government’s failure to respond.
“But he can’t attack him personally,” Mr. Sheinkopf continued, “because then he loses any opportunity to talk to him behind the scenes to get anything done.”“But he can’t attack him personally,” Mr. Sheinkopf continued, “because then he loses any opportunity to talk to him behind the scenes to get anything done.”
A few days after losing his job in March, Paul Gentile was throwing away trash outside his Brooklyn apartment building when he noticed a sign hanging near the front door.A few days after losing his job in March, Paul Gentile was throwing away trash outside his Brooklyn apartment building when he noticed a sign hanging near the front door.
Because of the coronavirus pandemic, which has brought life to a near standstill in New York City and caused an untold number of people to lose their jobs, tenants in the building did not need to pay April rent, it read.Because of the coronavirus pandemic, which has brought life to a near standstill in New York City and caused an untold number of people to lose their jobs, tenants in the building did not need to pay April rent, it read.
“STAY SAFE, HELP YOUR NEIGHBORS & WASH YOUR HANDS!!!” the landlord, Mario Salerno, wrote on the signs, which he posted at all of his 18 residential buildings in the borough.“STAY SAFE, HELP YOUR NEIGHBORS & WASH YOUR HANDS!!!” the landlord, Mario Salerno, wrote on the signs, which he posted at all of his 18 residential buildings in the borough.
The sudden collapse of the economy has left many New Yorkers stressing about how they can pay their bills, especially rent.The sudden collapse of the economy has left many New Yorkers stressing about how they can pay their bills, especially rent.
Across New York City, landlords have started to panic as well, as it has become clear some tenants are unable to afford rent.Across New York City, landlords have started to panic as well, as it has become clear some tenants are unable to afford rent.
But Mr. Salerno said in an interview on Thursday that he did not care about losing his rental income in April, nor did he care to calculate the amount that he would not be collecting from his 80 apartments.But Mr. Salerno said in an interview on Thursday that he did not care about losing his rental income in April, nor did he care to calculate the amount that he would not be collecting from his 80 apartments.
“My concern is everyone’s health,” said Mr. Salerno, 59, whose rent gesture was first reported by the local news site Greenpointers.com. “I told them just to look out for your neighbor and make sure that everyone has food on their table.”“My concern is everyone’s health,” said Mr. Salerno, 59, whose rent gesture was first reported by the local news site Greenpointers.com. “I told them just to look out for your neighbor and make sure that everyone has food on their table.”
New York City officials on Thursday advised residents to shield their faces with a scarf, bandanna or other protective covering when leaving their homes, although they reiterated that people should continue to stay at home as much as possible during the outbreak.New York City officials on Thursday advised residents to shield their faces with a scarf, bandanna or other protective covering when leaving their homes, although they reiterated that people should continue to stay at home as much as possible during the outbreak.
“This is an abundance of caution move, to make sure people are not spreading it to other people,” the mayor said on MSNBC on Friday. “It’s only pertinent when you might be close to people. If you’re socially distanced, you don’t need it.”“This is an abundance of caution move, to make sure people are not spreading it to other people,” the mayor said on MSNBC on Friday. “It’s only pertinent when you might be close to people. If you’re socially distanced, you don’t need it.”
Mr. de Blasio urged city residents not to use the surgical or N-95 masks that are desperately needed by emergency services workers, doctors, nurses and other hospital staff employees who are treating infected patients.Mr. de Blasio urged city residents not to use the surgical or N-95 masks that are desperately needed by emergency services workers, doctors, nurses and other hospital staff employees who are treating infected patients.
“You can create your own version,” Mr. de Blasio said. “It can be as homemade as you want. But that’s what we want you to do: something homemade.”“You can create your own version,” Mr. de Blasio said. “It can be as homemade as you want. But that’s what we want you to do: something homemade.”
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.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.
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, Luis Ferré-Sadurní, Michael Gold, Matthew Haag, Andy Newman, Azi Paybarah, Ashley Southall, Matt Stevens and Neil Vigdor. Reporting was contributed by Jonah Engel Bromwich, Maria Cramer, Michael Gold, Matthew Haag, Jesse McKinley, Andy Newman, Ashley Southall, Matt Stevens and Michael Schwirtz.