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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
(30 minutes later)
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.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 on Tuesday that 731 people had died of the virus since Monday, the state’s highest one-day total yet by more than 100.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.”
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.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.
Connecticut also reported its biggest one-day increase in deaths on Tuesday, with Gov. Ned Lamont saying 71 people had died since the day before. By comparison, Mr. Lamont had reported 17 new deaths on Monday.Connecticut also reported its biggest one-day increase in deaths on Tuesday, with Gov. Ned Lamont saying 71 people had died since the day before. By comparison, Mr. Lamont had reported 17 new deaths on Monday.
The three states together reported 1,034 deaths in a day, the first time that the region’s one-day toll topped 1,000.The three states together reported 1,034 deaths in a day, the first time that the region’s one-day toll topped 1,000.
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. In Connecticut, where the virus appears to have been slower to spread, 277 people have died.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. In Connecticut, where the virus appears to have been slower to spread, 277 people have died.
“It’s almost unfathomable, folks, when you think about it,” Mr. Murphy said.“It’s almost unfathomable, folks, when you think about it,” Mr. Murphy said.
Still, all three governors said there were signs that the virus’s spread was slowing.Still, all three 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.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 had 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.
In New Jersey, state officials said that about 1,651 people were in what they called “critical care” on Tuesday, up from about 1,500 patients on Monday. More than 90 percent of the patients in critical care, about 1,540, were on ventilators. And as in New York, New Jersey officials noted that the numbers of people in critical care and on ventilators were far below their worst-case scenarios.In New Jersey, state officials said that about 1,651 people were in what they called “critical care” on Tuesday, up from about 1,500 patients on Monday. More than 90 percent of the patients in critical care, about 1,540, were on ventilators. And as in New York, New Jersey officials noted that the numbers of people in critical care and on ventilators were far below their worst-case scenarios.
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.
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.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 Tuesday statistics from New York, New Jersey and Connecticut:Here are Tuesday statistics from New York, New Jersey and Connecticut:
New York:New York:
Deaths: 5,489, up 731 from early Monday.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.
Hospitalized: 17,493 people statewide, up from 16,837.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.
New Jersey:New Jersey:
Deaths: 1,232, up from 1,000 on Monday.Deaths: 1,232, up from 1,000 on Monday.
Confirmed cases: 44,416, up from 41,255.Confirmed cases: 44,416, up from 41,255.
Hospitalized: 7,017.Hospitalized: 7,017.
In critical care: 1,651, up from 1,505 on Monday.In critical care: 1,651, up from 1,505 on Monday.
On ventilators: 1,540.On ventilators: 1,540.
Connecticut:Connecticut:
Deaths: 277, up from 206 on Monday.Deaths: 277, up from 206 on Monday.
Confirmed cases: 7,781, up from 6,906.Confirmed cases: 7,781, up from 6,906.
Hospitalized: 1,308, up from 1,221.Hospitalized: 1,308, up from 1,221.
The official death figures, awful as they are, may not actually reflect the virus’s true toll Around the country, according to experts and officials, virus-related deaths are being undercounted because of inconsistent protocols and limited resources.The official death figures, awful as they are, may not actually reflect the virus’s true toll Around the country, according to experts and officials, virus-related deaths are being undercounted because of inconsistent protocols and limited resources.
In New York City, the leader of the City Council’s health committee, Mark Levine, wrote on Twitter that people were dying at home at about 10 times the normal rate, presumably in large part because of the virus, but that many deaths were not being counted as virus deaths.In New York City, the leader of the City Council’s health committee, Mark Levine, wrote on Twitter that people were dying at home at about 10 times the normal rate, presumably in large part because of the virus, but that many deaths were not being counted as virus deaths.
According to the news site Gothamist, the city medical examiner’s office has not been testing dead bodies for the virus and has instead referred what it considers “probable” virus deaths to the city’s health department.According to the news site Gothamist, the city medical examiner’s office has not been testing dead bodies for the virus and has instead referred what it considers “probable” virus deaths to the city’s health department.
But the health department counts only confirmed virus cases in its official death tally, Gothamist reported, suggesting that many virus deaths were being missed.But the health department counts only confirmed virus cases in its official death tally, Gothamist reported, suggesting that many virus deaths were being missed.
Asked on Tuesday about an increase in people dying at home, Mr. de Blasio said, “I’m assuming the vast majority of those deaths are coronavirus related.”Asked on Tuesday about an increase in people dying at home, Mr. de Blasio said, “I’m assuming the vast majority of those deaths are coronavirus related.”
He added: “It’s understandable in a crisis that being able to make the confirmation is harder to do, with all the resources stretched so thin.” City officials, he said, were focusing their resources on “saving the next life.”He added: “It’s understandable in a crisis that being able to make the confirmation is harder to do, with all the resources stretched so thin.” City officials, he said, were focusing their resources on “saving the next life.”
Still, he said, “We do want to know the truth about what happened in every death at home.”Still, he said, “We do want to know the truth about what happened in every death at home.”
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.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.”
“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.”“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.”
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. Mr. Murphy also said that schools in New Jersey would remain closed indefinitely and that assessment requirements for students set to graduate from eighth and 12 grades would be waived.
“This will ensure that no student is left behind or unduly penalized due to these extraordinary circumstances,” he said.“This will ensure that no student is left behind or unduly penalized due to these extraordinary circumstances,” he said.
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. Mr. Murphy’s extension of school closings came a day after Mr. Cuomo said schools in New York would remain closed until at least April 29.
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.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.”“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.Aides to Mr. Cuomo said on Tuesday that there was no imminent plan to follow Mr. Murphy’s lead.
For the 1.7 million older people in New York City, the coronavirus crisis has created a second epidemic: the fear of dying alone.For the 1.7 million older people in New York City, the coronavirus crisis has created a second epidemic: the fear of dying alone.
“I know I’m vulnerable because I’m almost 90,” said Shatzi Weisberger, a retired nurse who did not want to go to the hospital despite recently feeling symptoms of a heart attack. “I would not go to the hospital under any circumstances.”“I know I’m vulnerable because I’m almost 90,” said Shatzi Weisberger, a retired nurse who did not want to go to the hospital despite recently feeling symptoms of a heart attack. “I would not go to the hospital under any circumstances.”
She is among many New Yorkers now fearful of going to hospitals because they are now among the most dangerous spots in New York. An overwhelming majority of people who die from the virus are 65 or older.She is among many New Yorkers now fearful of going to hospitals because they are now among the most dangerous spots in New York. An overwhelming majority of people who die from the virus are 65 or older.
And if they do contract the virus, they worry about dying without loved ones by their side because of restrictions on visitors aimed at stemming the virus’s spread.And if they do contract the virus, they worry about dying without loved ones by their side because of restrictions on visitors aimed at stemming the virus’s spread.
It is one thing to imagine dying on a ventilator, or not being able to get one; it is another to imagine doing so alone.It is one thing to imagine dying on a ventilator, or not being able to get one; it is another to imagine doing so alone.
“We’ve been bombarded with messages about how bad it is to isolate ourselves,” said Wendl Kornfeld, 71. Now isolation is an official goal.“We’ve been bombarded with messages about how bad it is to isolate ourselves,” said Wendl Kornfeld, 71. Now isolation is an official goal.
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.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.
“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.
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.
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.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.