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N.Y. Virus Deaths Hit New High, but Hospitalizations Slow: Live Updates N.Y. Virus Deaths Hit New High, but Hospitalizations Slow: Live Updates
(about 2 hours later)
Five weeks into the coronavirus outbreak, officials in New York seeking a light at the end of the tunnel hoped that deaths from the virus would stay flat for a third straight day. Five weeks into the coronavirus outbreak, officials in New York and New Jersey, the two states hit hardest by the pandemic, hoped that the number of virus-related deaths had reached a peak and would flatten or drop for a third straight day.
It did not happen.It did not happen.
Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said early Tuesday that 731 people had died of the virus since Monday, the highest one-day total yet. The state’s death toll now stands at 5,489, enough people to fill a small town. Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said on Tuesday that 731 people had died of the virus since Monday, the state’s highest one-day total yet by more than 100.
“Behind every one of those numbers is an individual, is a family, is a mother, is a father, is a sister, is a brother,” Mr. Cuomo said at his daily briefing in Albany. “So a lot of pain again today for many New Yorkers.”“Behind every one of those numbers is an individual, is a family, is a mother, is a father, is a sister, is a brother,” Mr. Cuomo said at his daily briefing in Albany. “So a lot of pain again today for many New Yorkers.”
The governor emphasized, though, that death was a lagging indicator in the fight against the virus: People are often ill with it for a long time before they die. New Jersey’s toll also hit a new one-day high on Tuesday, with 232 people dying of the virus since the previous day, Gov. Philip D. Murphy said. On Sunday and Monday, deaths in the state were in the double digits.
And he said that by other measures, there were signs that the virus’s spread might be slowing, even as the number of critically ill patients continued to rise. More people have died in New York and New Jersey, by far, than in any other state. The two states together account for more than half of the virus-related deaths in the United States. New York’s toll was 5,489 as of Tuesday; New Jersey’s was 1,232.
“It’s almost unfathomable, folks, when you think about it,” Mr. Murphy said.
Still, both governors said there were signs that the virus’s spread was slowing.
Mr. Cuomo described death as a lagging indicator in the fight against the virus: People are often ill with it for a long time before they die, he said. By other measures, he said, the curve of infection was flattening in New York, even as the number of critically ill patients kept rising
The number of virus patients in hospitals increased 4 percent since Monday, the fourth straight day that it had grown 7 percent or less after growing at least 20 percent a day for weeks.The number of virus patients in hospitals increased 4 percent since Monday, the fourth straight day that it had grown 7 percent or less after growing at least 20 percent a day for weeks.
The number of patients on ventilators in intensive-care units increased, too, but at the smallest one-day rate in weeks, up 2 percent since Monday.The number of patients on ventilators in intensive-care units increased, too, but at the smallest one-day rate in weeks, up 2 percent since Monday.
As of Tuesday, there were nearly 4,600 patients on ventilators in New York, far fewer than pessimistic projections in recent weeks said there might be. That has helped keep the state from exhausting its supply of ventilators. As of Tuesday, there were nearly 4,600 patients on ventilators in New York, far fewer than pessimistic projections in recent weeks had said there might be. That has helped keep the state from exhausting its supply of ventilators.
Mr. Cuomo, whose PowerPoint presentations have become an essential feature of his briefings, displayed a bar chart of hospitalizations that showed them clearly leveling off in recent days, with days in the near future labeled “projected plateau?”Mr. Cuomo, whose PowerPoint presentations have become an essential feature of his briefings, displayed a bar chart of hospitalizations that showed them clearly leveling off in recent days, with days in the near future labeled “projected plateau?”
For the number of people in hospitals to stop increasing, he said, New Yorkers must continue to vigilantly practice social distancing and other behavior that reduce the virus’s spread.For the number of people in hospitals to stop increasing, he said, New Yorkers must continue to vigilantly practice social distancing and other behavior that reduce the virus’s spread.
“To the extent that we see a flattening or a possible plateau, that’s because of what we are doing and we have to keep doing it,” the governor said.“To the extent that we see a flattening or a possible plateau, that’s because of what we are doing and we have to keep doing it,” the governor said.
“This is a projection,” he added. “It still depends on what we do. And what we do will affect those numbers.” Mr. Murphy said that while it appeared the curve of infection “may finally be flattening,” New Jersey residents needed to continue to stay inside or six feet away from one another.
Here are the statistics from the governor’s briefing on Tuesday: Here are Tuesday statistics from New York and New Jersey:
Deaths in New York State: 5,489, up 731 from early Monday. New York:
Deaths: 5,489, up 731 from early Monday.
Confirmed cases: 138,836 statewide, up from 130,689 on Monday. In New York City, there were 76,876 cases, up from 72,181.Confirmed cases: 138,836 statewide, up from 130,689 on Monday. In New York City, there were 76,876 cases, up from 72,181.
Currently hospitalized: 17,493 people statewide, up from 16,837.Currently hospitalized: 17,493 people statewide, up from 16,837.
In intensive care: 4,593, up 89 from 4,504 on Monday.In intensive care: 4,593, up 89 from 4,504 on Monday.
Gov. Phil Murphy of New Jersey said on Tuesday that he was issuing an executive order closing all state and county parks and state forests after hearing too many reports of people gathering too closely while they were outside. New Jersey:
Deaths: 1,232, up from 1,000 on Monday.
Confirmed cases: 44,416, up from 41,255.
Currently hospitalized: 7,017.
On ventilators: 1,651.
Gov. Phil Murphy of New Jersey on Tuesday ordered all state and county parks and state forests closed after what he said were many reports of people gathering too closely while they were outside.
“We’ve seen far too many instances in our parks where people are gathering and socializing in groups,” Mr. Murphy wrote on Twitter. “We need to #FlattenTheCurve.”“We’ve seen far too many instances in our parks where people are gathering and socializing in groups,” Mr. Murphy wrote on Twitter. “We need to #FlattenTheCurve.”
He announced that 232 more people had died in New Jersey, the largest number of deaths in a day for the state. “I do not take this action lightly,” the governor wrote. “Some of my fondest memories with my own children are beautiful spring days in parks playing soccer and enjoying our family. But my focus, and my sole mission in life right now, is the health of every New Jersey family.”
There were another 3,361 new cases, bringing the statewide total to 44,416, the governor said. Mr. Murphy also said that schools in New Jersey would remain closed until at least May 12 and that assessment requirements for students set to graduate from eighth and 12 grades would be waived.
He said that while it appeared the curve “may finally be flattening,” New Jersey residents needed to continue staying inside or six feet away from one another. “This will ensure that no student is left behind or unduly penalized due to these extraordinary circumstances,” he said.
“We cannot be happy with only reaching a plateau,” Mr. Murphy said. He predicted residents would need to abide by the state’s stay at home order for “many more weeks.” Mr. Murphy’s extension of school closings until mid-May came a day after Mr. Cuomo said schools in New York would remain closed until at least April 29.
Thirty-three of the people whose deaths were reported on Tuesday were residents of long-term care facilities, said Judith Persichilli, the state’s health commissioner. The New Jersey’s governor’s order on the state’s parks also went further than Mr. Cuomo has gone, even as New York’s governor on Monday strongly criticized New York City residents who flooded parks over the weekend.
“Now is not the time to be lax,” Mr. Cuomo said. “Now is not the time to be playing Frisbee in the park with your friends.”
Aides to Mr. Cuomo said on Tuesday that there was no imminent plan to follow Mr. Murphy’s lead.
A crew member aboard the Navy hospital ship Comfort tested positive for the virus, and several others are in isolation, the Navy said on Tuesday. It was the latest setback in the ship’s troubled mission to New York to help in the pandemic response.A crew member aboard the Navy hospital ship Comfort tested positive for the virus, and several others are in isolation, the Navy said on Tuesday. It was the latest setback in the ship’s troubled mission to New York to help in the pandemic response.
News of the infection came after President Trump agreed to requests from officials in New York and New Jersey to allow the Comfort to accept virus patients.News of the infection came after President Trump agreed to requests from officials in New York and New Jersey to allow the Comfort to accept virus patients.
The 1,000-bed ship, which arrived last week to great fanfare, was supposed to relieve pressure on New York’s overburdened hospitals by taking patients with nonvirus ailments. But bureaucratic hurdles combined with a sharp decline in hospitalizations unrelated to the virus, resulted in few patients being transferred to the ship.The 1,000-bed ship, which arrived last week to great fanfare, was supposed to relieve pressure on New York’s overburdened hospitals by taking patients with nonvirus ailments. But bureaucratic hurdles combined with a sharp decline in hospitalizations unrelated to the virus, resulted in few patients being transferred to the ship.
A Navy spokeswoman said the discovery of an infected crew member would not affect the Comfort’s mission. “It does not affect the ability of the Comfort to receive patients at all,” Elizabeth Baker, the spokeswoman, said.A Navy spokeswoman said the discovery of an infected crew member would not affect the Comfort’s mission. “It does not affect the ability of the Comfort to receive patients at all,” Elizabeth Baker, the spokeswoman, said.
As of Tuesday, there were more than 50 patients on board, she said, meaning most of the Comfort’s beds were still unused.As of Tuesday, there were more than 50 patients on board, she said, meaning most of the Comfort’s beds were still unused.
Gazing into webcams, the 52 students pledged the Hippocratic oath in frayed unison. Miles away, their proud families followed online as dozens of voices all came to the same point. Mr. de Blasio said on Tuesday that, along with struggling to halt the virus’s spread, New York City was increasingly focused on helping the growing number of people who were unemployed and unsure of where their next meal would come from.
They could get on with doctoring.
On Friday, a virtual graduation was held over video chat for nearly half the 2020 class at New York University’s Grossman School of Medicine. They were two months ahead of schedule. That moment will be repeated in some form at other medical schools in the coming days.
“The country needs to mobilize people,” said Dr. Steven Abramson, vice dean of the Grossman school. “Last time this happened was in World War II, when medical schools were shortened to three years.”
The early graduates have agreed to work for 30 days in one of four hospitals affiliated with N.Y.U., with optional two-week extensions. When they are done, they will have to quarantine for two weeks.
“It was a really easy decision to do this,” one student, Evan Gerber, 26, said. “You have a moral obligation to society.” He will move to the Denver Health Medical Center in Colorado at the end of his Covid-19 service in New York.
Mayor Bill de Blasio said on Tuesday that, along with struggling to halt the virus’s spread, New York City was increasingly focused on helping the growing number of people who were unemployed and unsure of where their next meal would come from.
“There’s a new front opening up and we have to be there for people who need food,” the mayor said.“There’s a new front opening up and we have to be there for people who need food,” the mayor said.
According to a Siena College Research Institute poll published on Monday, 49 percent of city residents worry about putting food on the table.According to a Siena College Research Institute poll published on Monday, 49 percent of city residents worry about putting food on the table.
A separate survey by the CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, published on Tuesday, found that for more than half of New Yorkers, the virus and its effects had hurt their households’ ability to get the food they need. Around one in five said their ability to procure food had been reduced “a lot.”A separate survey by the CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, published on Tuesday, found that for more than half of New Yorkers, the virus and its effects had hurt their households’ ability to get the food they need. Around one in five said their ability to procure food had been reduced “a lot.”
Mr. de Blasio said that in the past three weeks, city programs had served 2.6 million meals to New Yorkers who needed food “and that is just the beginning.”Mr. de Blasio said that in the past three weeks, city programs had served 2.6 million meals to New Yorkers who needed food “and that is just the beginning.”
He cited a projection that showed at least 500,000 New Yorkers had either lost their jobs or soon would.He cited a projection that showed at least 500,000 New Yorkers had either lost their jobs or soon would.
In New York, the epicenter of the nation’s coronavirus outbreak, the lucky ones work at home.
But that’s often not an option for the 1.4 million New Yorkers who freelance, work project to project or find gigs through apps like Lyft and Wag. Much of their work has evaporated, and they may not be entitled to unemployment benefits or be covered by health insurance.
From a caterer whose event-based business lost the next two months of bookings, to a production assistant hoping his food-delivery gig allows him to keep paying the bills, workers have had to adjust their routines — sometimes drastically — as they cope with economic uncertainty.
“It’s tricky because there’s no foreseeable income,” said Yulan Grant, 26, who had been working as an art handler and DJ. “No one knows when the museums and galleries will be open again. We just don’t know when the clubs will be open or especially in New York, if they will able to survive being closed for more than a month.”
While there are early signs that the virus outbreak may be slowing in New York City, a nearby suburb is facing a surge.While there are early signs that the virus outbreak may be slowing in New York City, a nearby suburb is facing a surge.
Steve Bellone, the county executive in Suffolk County, on Long Island, said early Tuesday that “the battle really is shifting to Long Island.”Steve Bellone, the county executive in Suffolk County, on Long Island, said early Tuesday that “the battle really is shifting to Long Island.”
“We’re seeing it in the numbers and you can feel the surge happening,” Mr. Bellone said on CNN.“We’re seeing it in the numbers and you can feel the surge happening,” Mr. Bellone said on CNN.
Three weeks ago, Suffolk County, which has more than a million residents, had not reported a single virus-related fatality, Mr. Bellone said. “Yesterday that number soared well past 200,” he said.Three weeks ago, Suffolk County, which has more than a million residents, had not reported a single virus-related fatality, Mr. Bellone said. “Yesterday that number soared well past 200,” he said.
Suffolk County, with nearly 1,000 confirmed cases per 100,000 residents, now has a higher rate of infection than New York City, which has 815 confirmed cases per 100,000 residents.Suffolk County, with nearly 1,000 confirmed cases per 100,000 residents, now has a higher rate of infection than New York City, which has 815 confirmed cases per 100,000 residents.
“I’m having conversations I never imagined having in this position,” he said, including with the governor about the capacity of its morgue and the number of body bags the county will need.“I’m having conversations I never imagined having in this position,” he said, including with the governor about the capacity of its morgue and the number of body bags the county will need.
The anxiety and isolation resulting from the virus outbreak can feel crippling at times. But for New Yorkers who want to do something constructive, there are ways to help.The anxiety and isolation resulting from the virus outbreak can feel crippling at times. But for New Yorkers who want to do something constructive, there are ways to help.
The nonprofit EMS FDNY Help Fund provides financial support to the city’s emergency medical technicians and paramedics. Like doctors and nurses, these emergency services workers are on the front lines of the crisis, and they have been responding to constant calls over the past several weeks.The nonprofit EMS FDNY Help Fund provides financial support to the city’s emergency medical technicians and paramedics. Like doctors and nurses, these emergency services workers are on the front lines of the crisis, and they have been responding to constant calls over the past several weeks.
Putting in multiple long shifts for pay that hovers just above the city’s minimum wage, these workers could use a lift, union leaders say.Putting in multiple long shifts for pay that hovers just above the city’s minimum wage, these workers could use a lift, union leaders say.
“Our members working are 16 hours a day, 17 hours a day, and a lot of them are sleeping in their cars afterward because they’re scared of brining the virus home to their families,” said Vinny Variale, the president of the Uniformed EMS Officers Union and an FDNY lieutenant. “Anybody that can help, we really need it.”“Our members working are 16 hours a day, 17 hours a day, and a lot of them are sleeping in their cars afterward because they’re scared of brining the virus home to their families,” said Vinny Variale, the president of the Uniformed EMS Officers Union and an FDNY lieutenant. “Anybody that can help, we really need it.”
Donations to the EMS FDNY Help Fund, which fire officials and multiple unions have endorsed, can be made here.Donations to the EMS FDNY Help Fund, which fire officials and multiple unions have endorsed, can be made here.
In addition, fire officials have called for donations to the FDNY Foundation — a nonprofit affiliated with the department that opened a Covid-19 fund earlier this week. A spokesman for the department said donations will be used “to help FDNY families who have Covid-19 illness, death, or who are impacted in any way.” Donations can be made here.In addition, fire officials have called for donations to the FDNY Foundation — a nonprofit affiliated with the department that opened a Covid-19 fund earlier this week. A spokesman for the department said donations will be used “to help FDNY families who have Covid-19 illness, death, or who are impacted in any way.” Donations can be made here.
And on Monday, Mr. Cuomo also announced the creation of what he called the “First Responders Fund,” which is accepting donations here.And on Monday, Mr. Cuomo also announced the creation of what he called the “First Responders Fund,” which is accepting donations here.
Here is a guide on other ways New Yorkers can help and a instructions on how to donate N95 masks to New York doctors.Here is a guide on other ways New Yorkers can help and a instructions on how to donate N95 masks to New York doctors.
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. 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.
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 Jonah Engel Bromwich, Maria Cramer, Jim Dwyer, Alan Feuer, Michael Gold David Gonzalez, Jeffery C. Mays, Andy Newman, Azi Paybarah, Michael Schwirtz and Matt Stevens. Reporting was contributed by Jonah Engel Bromwich, Maria Cramer, Jim Dwyer, Alan Feuer, Michael Gold, David Gonzalez, Jeffery C. Mays, Jesse McKinley, Andy Newman, Azi Paybarah, Michael Schwirtz and Matt Stevens.