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Virus in N.Y. Takes Bigger Toll on Hispanics and Blacks: Live Updates Watch Now: Governor Cuomo Gives Coronavirus Update
(32 minutes later)
Another 779 people in New York state died of the coronavirus, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo reported on Wednesday, the second day in a row that the state broke its one-day record death toll.
But Mr. Cuomo said that hospitalization figures continue to show that the curve of infection is flattening in the state.
“If the hospitalization rate keeps decreasing the way it is now, then the system should stabilize these next couple of weeks, which will minimize the need for overflow that we have built into the system,” he said.
The governor said that while the data made sense, it was hard to find comfort in it. “The number of deaths, as a matter of fact, will continue to rise as those hospitalized for a longer period of time pass away,” he explained, calling the bad news of the day “not just bad but terrible.”
“I understand the science of it. I understand the facts and the logic of it. but it is still incredibly difficult to deal with,” he said.
The governor directed all flags in New York state be flown at half-staff. The new deaths bring the state’s death toll to 6,298.
Black and Hispanic people in New York City are twice as likely to die of the virus as white people, according to preliminary data released on Wednesday by the city.Black and Hispanic people in New York City are twice as likely to die of the virus as white people, according to preliminary data released on Wednesday by the city.
Mayor Bill de Blasio said Wednesday morning that the disparities reflected economic inequalities and differences in access to health care.Mayor Bill de Blasio said Wednesday morning that the disparities reflected economic inequalities and differences in access to health care.
“There are clear inequalities, clear disparities in how this disease is affecting the people of our city,” Mr. de Blasio said. “The truth is that in so many ways the negative affects of coronavirus, the pain it’s causing, the death it’s causing, tracks with other profound health care disparities that we have seen for years and decades.”“There are clear inequalities, clear disparities in how this disease is affecting the people of our city,” Mr. de Blasio said. “The truth is that in so many ways the negative affects of coronavirus, the pain it’s causing, the death it’s causing, tracks with other profound health care disparities that we have seen for years and decades.”
Mr. de Blasio and Dr. Oxiris Barbot, the city’s health commissioner, stressed that members of the city’s Hispanic community may have been discouraged from seeking health by the anti-immigrant rhetoric that has dominated the national discourse in recent years.Mr. de Blasio and Dr. Oxiris Barbot, the city’s health commissioner, stressed that members of the city’s Hispanic community may have been discouraged from seeking health by the anti-immigrant rhetoric that has dominated the national discourse in recent years.
“The overlay of the anti-immigrant rhetoric across this country, I think, has real implications in the health of our community.” Dr. Barbot said on Wednesday.“The overlay of the anti-immigrant rhetoric across this country, I think, has real implications in the health of our community.” Dr. Barbot said on Wednesday.
According to the city’s data, the death rates for different ethnic groups in the city are:According to the city’s data, the death rates for different ethnic groups in the city are:
Hispanics: 22 deaths per 100,000 people.Hispanics: 22 deaths per 100,000 people.
Blacks: 20 deaths per 100,000.Blacks: 20 deaths per 100,000.
Whites: 10 deaths.Whites: 10 deaths.
Asians: 8 deaths.Asians: 8 deaths.
The fatality figures also track with data on confirmed cases of the virus released by the city last week. During the first month of the outbreak in the city — the epicenter of America’s coronavirus crisis — many of the neighborhoods with the most confirmed virus cases were in areas with the lowest median incomes, the data showed.The fatality figures also track with data on confirmed cases of the virus released by the city last week. During the first month of the outbreak in the city — the epicenter of America’s coronavirus crisis — many of the neighborhoods with the most confirmed virus cases were in areas with the lowest median incomes, the data showed.
Mr. de Blasio said that the city would redouble efforts to support its public hospitals, where many of the city’s poorest residents turn for help and which have often been overwhelmed trying to care for virus patients.Mr. de Blasio said that the city would redouble efforts to support its public hospitals, where many of the city’s poorest residents turn for help and which have often been overwhelmed trying to care for virus patients.
He cited Elmhurst Hospital in Queens, where conditions in late March were described as “apocalyptic.”He cited Elmhurst Hospital in Queens, where conditions in late March were described as “apocalyptic.”
“We must ensure that that hospital has all the personnel it needs, all the ventilators it needs, all the P.P.E., everything,” Mr. de Blasio said. “This is about the most essential concept of ensuring that everyone gets health care regardless of their background, regardless of their ZIP code, regardless of their income.”“We must ensure that that hospital has all the personnel it needs, all the ventilators it needs, all the P.P.E., everything,” Mr. de Blasio said. “This is about the most essential concept of ensuring that everyone gets health care regardless of their background, regardless of their ZIP code, regardless of their income.”
Mr. de Blasio said that the city would also work on making it easier for someone calling 311 — no matter what language they speak — to get patched through to a health care worker who can answer their questions.Mr. de Blasio said that the city would also work on making it easier for someone calling 311 — no matter what language they speak — to get patched through to a health care worker who can answer their questions.
The pattern in fatalities is found throughout the state, and black Americans have been disproportionately affected in other states as well.The pattern in fatalities is found throughout the state, and black Americans have been disproportionately affected in other states as well.
Outside of New York City, where blacks make up 9 percent of the population of New York state, they account for 18 percent of deaths, according to figures released Wednesday by the state Health Department. Outside of New York City, black people are more than twice as likely to die of the virus as white people, and Hispanic people are about 50 percent more likely to die than white people, according to figures released Wednesday by the state Health Department.
Outside New York City, whites are 75 percent of the population but account for only 62 percent of those who have died.
New Jersey is set to postpone its presidential primary to July 7, from June 2, extending the Democrats’ primary calendar deeper into summer amid the coronavirus outbreak, according to two people familiar with the planning.New Jersey is set to postpone its presidential primary to July 7, from June 2, extending the Democrats’ primary calendar deeper into summer amid the coronavirus outbreak, according to two people familiar with the planning.
It would be the first time in the modern history of the primary system that a state contest is held in July. But Senator Bernie Sanders’s decision to exit the race on Wednesday will most likely make the contest irrelevant.It would be the first time in the modern history of the primary system that a state contest is held in July. But Senator Bernie Sanders’s decision to exit the race on Wednesday will most likely make the contest irrelevant.
Still, the decision by Gov. Philip D. Murphy to delay the primary is a signal from a major Democratic state that in-person voting may not be safe by June. It comes a day after voting in Wisconsin was plagued with extremely long lines and broad concerns about the public health impact of holding an election during a pandemic.Still, the decision by Gov. Philip D. Murphy to delay the primary is a signal from a major Democratic state that in-person voting may not be safe by June. It comes a day after voting in Wisconsin was plagued with extremely long lines and broad concerns about the public health impact of holding an election during a pandemic.
It also comes after the Democratic National Committee announced it would postpone the party’s convention from July to August.It also comes after the Democratic National Committee announced it would postpone the party’s convention from July to August.
Five weeks into the coronavirus outbreak, officials in New York and New Jersey hoped that the number of virus-related deaths had reached a peak and would flatten or drop on Tuesday for a third straight day.
It did not happen.
Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said yesterday that 731 people had died of the virus since Monday, by far the state’s highest one-day total yet.
New Jersey 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.
The three states together reported 1,034 deaths in a day, the first time that the region’s one-day toll topped 1,000.
As of Tuesday, more than 4,000 had died from the coronavirus in New York City, according to data from the city and state.As of Tuesday, more than 4,000 had died from the coronavirus in New York City, according to data from the city and state.
But as awful as the official figures are, they likely understate deaths by many hundreds if not thousands: People who die at home without ever having been tested for the virus are often left out of the accounting.But as awful as the official figures are, they likely understate deaths by many hundreds if not thousands: People who die at home without ever having been tested for the virus are often left out of the accounting.
Mayor de Blasio said on Wednesday that there were “100 to 200 people per day” in the city who die at home and are presumed to be virus victims.Mayor de Blasio said on Wednesday that there were “100 to 200 people per day” in the city who die at home and are presumed to be virus victims.
“This used to be a very, very rare thing in New York City,” Mr. de Blasio said. “Obviously it’s jumped up and the only thing that’s changed is Covid-19.”“This used to be a very, very rare thing in New York City,” Mr. de Blasio said. “Obviously it’s jumped up and the only thing that’s changed is Covid-19.”
The head of the City Council’s health committee, Councilman Mark Levine, wrote on Twitter that on a normal day in the city, fewer than 25 people die at home.The head of the City Council’s health committee, Councilman Mark Levine, wrote on Twitter that on a normal day in the city, fewer than 25 people die at home.
According to the news site Gothamist, the city medical examiner’s office has not been testing 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 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, suggesting that many virus deaths were being missed.But the health department counts only confirmed virus cases in its official death tally, suggesting that many virus deaths were being missed.
“It’s understandable in a crisis that being able to make the confirmation is harder to do, with all the resources stretched so thin,” Mr. de Blasio said on Tuesday.“It’s understandable in a crisis that being able to make the confirmation is harder to do, with all the resources stretched so thin,” Mr. de Blasio said on Tuesday.
Broadway will remain closed for at least another two months, industry leaders said Wednesday.Broadway will remain closed for at least another two months, industry leaders said Wednesday.
The Broadway League, a trade association representing producers and theater owners, said the 41 Broadway houses would remain shuttered at least through June 7. But industry leaders widely expect the theaters to remain closed longer — many say that a best-case scenario is reopening following the July 4 weekend, and that it is possible that the industry will not reopen until after Labor Day.The Broadway League, a trade association representing producers and theater owners, said the 41 Broadway houses would remain shuttered at least through June 7. But industry leaders widely expect the theaters to remain closed longer — many say that a best-case scenario is reopening following the July 4 weekend, and that it is possible that the industry will not reopen until after Labor Day.
The pandemic that has battered the global economy is also wreaking havoc with the theater industry. Broadway is not only an important center for the art form, but is also big business: The industry drew 14.8 million patrons last season and grossed $1.8 billion.The pandemic that has battered the global economy is also wreaking havoc with the theater industry. Broadway is not only an important center for the art form, but is also big business: The industry drew 14.8 million patrons last season and grossed $1.8 billion.
The entire industry — like so many others — is on pause, at the cost of thousands of jobs and millions of dollars.The entire industry — like so many others — is on pause, at the cost of thousands of jobs and millions of dollars.
A 39-year-old woman flew home to New York from Qatar in late February, the final leg of her trip from Iran.A 39-year-old woman flew home to New York from Qatar in late February, the final leg of her trip from Iran.
On March 1, she tested positive for the coronavirus, the first confirmed case in New York City of an outbreak that had already devastated China and parts of Europe. The next day, Governor Cuomo, appearing with Mayor de Blasio at a news conference, promised that health investigators would track down every person on the woman’s flight. But no one did.On March 1, she tested positive for the coronavirus, the first confirmed case in New York City of an outbreak that had already devastated China and parts of Europe. The next day, Governor Cuomo, appearing with Mayor de Blasio at a news conference, promised that health investigators would track down every person on the woman’s flight. But no one did.
A day later, a lawyer from New Rochelle, a New York City suburb, also tested positive — an alarming sign because he had not traveled to any affected country.A day later, a lawyer from New Rochelle, a New York City suburb, also tested positive — an alarming sign because he had not traveled to any affected country.
Although city investigators had traced the lawyer’s whereabouts and connections to the most crowded corridors of Manhattan, the state’s efforts focused on the suburb, not the city, and Mr. de Blasio urged the public not to worry. “We’ll tell you the second we think you should change your behavior,” the mayor said on March 5.Although city investigators had traced the lawyer’s whereabouts and connections to the most crowded corridors of Manhattan, the state’s efforts focused on the suburb, not the city, and Mr. de Blasio urged the public not to worry. “We’ll tell you the second we think you should change your behavior,” the mayor said on March 5.
For many days as the coronavirus silently spread, Mr. Cuomo, Mr. de Blasio and their top aides projected unswerving confidence that the outbreak would be contained.For many days as the coronavirus silently spread, Mr. Cuomo, Mr. de Blasio and their top aides projected unswerving confidence that the outbreak would be contained.
There would be cases, they said, but New York’s hospitals were some of the best in the world. Plans were in place. Responses had been rehearsed during “tabletop” exercises. After all, the city had been here before — Ebola, Zika, the H1N1 virus, even Sept. 11.There would be cases, they said, but New York’s hospitals were some of the best in the world. Plans were in place. Responses had been rehearsed during “tabletop” exercises. After all, the city had been here before — Ebola, Zika, the H1N1 virus, even Sept. 11.
“Excuse our arrogance as New Yorkers — I speak for the mayor also on this one — we think we have the best health care system on the planet right here in New York,” Mr. Cuomo said on March 2. “So, when you’re saying, what happened in other countries versus what happened here, we don’t even think it’s going to be as bad as it was in other countries.”“Excuse our arrogance as New Yorkers — I speak for the mayor also on this one — we think we have the best health care system on the planet right here in New York,” Mr. Cuomo said on March 2. “So, when you’re saying, what happened in other countries versus what happened here, we don’t even think it’s going to be as bad as it was in other countries.”
Now New York City and its suburbs have become the epicenter of the pandemic in the United States, with far more cases than many countries have.Now New York City and its suburbs have become the epicenter of the pandemic in the United States, with far more cases than many countries have.
More than 138,000 people in the state have tested positive for the virus, nearly all in the city and nearby suburbs. More than 5,000 have died.More than 138,000 people in the state have tested positive for the virus, nearly all in the city and nearby suburbs. More than 5,000 have died.
And, The New York Times found, initial efforts by New York officials to stem the outbreak were hampered by their own confused guidance, unheeded warnings, delayed decisions and political infighting.And, The New York Times found, initial efforts by New York officials to stem the outbreak were hampered by their own confused guidance, unheeded warnings, delayed decisions and political infighting.
The coronavirus has ravaged the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, the agency that runs the subway, buses and commuter rails in New York City. At least 41 transit workers have died, more than 6,000 more have fallen sick or self-quarantined and the hobbled agency is struggling to run on time.The coronavirus has ravaged the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, the agency that runs the subway, buses and commuter rails in New York City. At least 41 transit workers have died, more than 6,000 more have fallen sick or self-quarantined and the hobbled agency is struggling to run on time.
The agency’s workers said that officials at the M.T.A. were slow to respond, dismissed their early concerns about the virus and did not offer enough protective gear or cleaning supplies.The agency’s workers said that officials at the M.T.A. were slow to respond, dismissed their early concerns about the virus and did not offer enough protective gear or cleaning supplies.
“Daily service can barely be maintained right now, and soon they’re not going to have the manpower to run these trains at all,” said Canella Gomez, a train operator who has worked for the agency for eight years. “The M.T.A. dropped the ball with this. They let us get sick on the job. Now it’s too late.”“Daily service can barely be maintained right now, and soon they’re not going to have the manpower to run these trains at all,” said Canella Gomez, a train operator who has worked for the agency for eight years. “The M.T.A. dropped the ball with this. They let us get sick on the job. Now it’s too late.”
Around 1,500 transit workers have tested positive for the virus, and 5,604 others have self-quarantined after showing symptoms of the infection.Around 1,500 transit workers have tested positive for the virus, and 5,604 others have self-quarantined after showing symptoms of the infection.
Transit officials say they acted as quickly as possible to protect workers and riders.Transit officials say they acted as quickly as possible to protect workers and riders.
About 25 miles northwest of New York City, authorities have been waging a losing battle against the coronavirus.About 25 miles northwest of New York City, authorities have been waging a losing battle against the coronavirus.
Rockland County has the highest per capita rate of infection in the state, and among the highest in the nation. Nearly 2 percent of the county’s population has tested positive for the virus.Rockland County has the highest per capita rate of infection in the state, and among the highest in the nation. Nearly 2 percent of the county’s population has tested positive for the virus.
The source of the problem, officials say, lies in two predominantly Orthodox Jewish communities, Spring Valley and Monsey, where many people refuse to follow social distancing rules.The source of the problem, officials say, lies in two predominantly Orthodox Jewish communities, Spring Valley and Monsey, where many people refuse to follow social distancing rules.
The Rockland County executive called noncompliance rates in those towns “maddening.” Together they account for more than a third of the county’s caseload, officials say, even though they contain only about 15 percent of the county’s population.The Rockland County executive called noncompliance rates in those towns “maddening.” Together they account for more than a third of the county’s caseload, officials say, even though they contain only about 15 percent of the county’s population.
With Passover beginning tonight, county officials worry that the disease could spread further as large families congregate.With Passover beginning tonight, county officials worry that the disease could spread further as large families congregate.
But concerns over coronavirus and its connection to Jewish communities have also led to worries about anti-Semitism.But concerns over coronavirus and its connection to Jewish communities have also led to worries about anti-Semitism.
Reporting was contributed by Jonah Engel Bromwich, Lindsey Cook, Nick Corasaniti, Matthew Futterman, Christina Goldbaum, J. David Goodman, Matthew Haag, Jesse McKinley, Andy Newman, Sharon Otterman, Michael Paulson, Nate Schweber, Matt Stevens and Ali Watkins.Reporting was contributed by Jonah Engel Bromwich, Lindsey Cook, Nick Corasaniti, Matthew Futterman, Christina Goldbaum, J. David Goodman, Matthew Haag, Jesse McKinley, Andy Newman, Sharon Otterman, Michael Paulson, Nate Schweber, Matt Stevens and Ali Watkins.