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Hospitalizations for Virus Are Nearly Flat in N.Y., but 799 More Die: Live Updates Hospitalizations for Virus Are Nearly Flat in N.Y., but 799 More Die: Live Updates
(32 minutes later)
As it has for several days, the story of the coronavirus in New York had two strands on Thursday: encouraging progress and devastating loss of life, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said.As it has for several days, the story of the coronavirus in New York had two strands on Thursday: encouraging progress and devastating loss of life, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said.
In the past two weeks, the number of virus patients hospitalized has grown more and more slowly, from over 20 percent a day at one point to single-digit percent increases this week.In the past two weeks, the number of virus patients hospitalized has grown more and more slowly, from over 20 percent a day at one point to single-digit percent increases this week.
From Wednesday to Thursday, the number increased by 200, to 18,279, or just 1 percent.From Wednesday to Thursday, the number increased by 200, to 18,279, or just 1 percent.
If the trend were to continue, the number of people in hospitals would soon start to decline — a sign that the virus had passed its apex.If the trend were to continue, the number of people in hospitals would soon start to decline — a sign that the virus had passed its apex.
But the number of people dying of the virus continues to grow. The state recorded 799 deaths from Wednesday to Thursday, another one-day high.But the number of people dying of the virus continues to grow. The state recorded 799 deaths from Wednesday to Thursday, another one-day high.
For the second straight day, Mr. Cuomo compared the toll of the virus to the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks, calling the virus a “silent explosion that ripples through society with the same randomness, the same evil that we saw on 9/11.”For the second straight day, Mr. Cuomo compared the toll of the virus to the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks, calling the virus a “silent explosion that ripples through society with the same randomness, the same evil that we saw on 9/11.”
As he has done repeatedly in recent days, Mr. Cuomo stressed that social distancing and other restrictions would continue to be enforced, because they were necessary to maintain the progress the state has made.As he has done repeatedly in recent days, Mr. Cuomo stressed that social distancing and other restrictions would continue to be enforced, because they were necessary to maintain the progress the state has made.
He also cautioned that New York might only be in the first wave of the pandemic. The state would probably have enough hospital beds and ventilators to treat virus patients if current trends hold, he said, but its resources would be insufficient if the most drastic projections about the outbreak were realized.He also cautioned that New York might only be in the first wave of the pandemic. The state would probably have enough hospital beds and ventilators to treat virus patients if current trends hold, he said, but its resources would be insufficient if the most drastic projections about the outbreak were realized.
“Everybody is assuming, well, once we get through this, we’re done,” Mr. Cuomo said. “I wouldn’t be so quick to assume that. This virus has been ahead of us from day one.“Everybody is assuming, well, once we get through this, we’re done,” Mr. Cuomo said. “I wouldn’t be so quick to assume that. This virus has been ahead of us from day one.
The governor again emphasized that New York’s black and Hispanic communities were being hit the hardest by the virus, and he said that additional testing sites would be opened in predominantly black and Latino neighborhoods.The governor again emphasized that New York’s black and Hispanic communities were being hit the hardest by the virus, and he said that additional testing sites would be opened in predominantly black and Latino neighborhoods.
Here are the latest statistics from the governor’s morning briefing.Here are the latest statistics from the governor’s morning briefing.
Deaths in New York State: 799 since yesterday, for a new total of 7,067.Deaths in New York State: 799 since yesterday, for a new total of 7,067.
Confirmed cases: 159,937 statewide, up 10,621 from 149,316, a 7 percent increase. In New York City: 87,028, up from 81,803.Confirmed cases: 159,937 statewide, up 10,621 from 149,316, a 7 percent increase. In New York City: 87,028, up from 81,803.
People hospitalized: 18,279 statewide, up by 200 from 18,079 Wednesday, an increase of 1 percent.People hospitalized: 18,279 statewide, up by 200 from 18,079 Wednesday, an increase of 1 percent.
In intensive care: 4,925, up 84 from 4,841 on Wednesday, a 2 percent increase.In intensive care: 4,925, up 84 from 4,841 on Wednesday, a 2 percent increase.
Gov. Philip D. Murphy of New Jersey cited progress in the fight against the virus on Thursday even as he reported that another 198 people in the state had died.Gov. Philip D. Murphy of New Jersey cited progress in the fight against the virus on Thursday even as he reported that another 198 people in the state had died.
The number of virus patients on ventilators dropped almost 2 percent, to 1,551 from 1,576, from Wednesday to Thursday, an indicator that the curve of infection was flattening.The number of virus patients on ventilators dropped almost 2 percent, to 1,551 from 1,576, from Wednesday to Thursday, an indicator that the curve of infection was flattening.
The death toll was New Jersey’s smallest in three days, although it was still the fourth highest since the outbreak began. More people have died in New Jersey, 1,700, than in any other state besides New York.The death toll was New Jersey’s smallest in three days, although it was still the fourth highest since the outbreak began. More people have died in New Jersey, 1,700, than in any other state besides New York.
Mr. Murphy also said the rate at which the number of confirmed virus cases was doubling in each of the state’s counties was beginning to slow.Mr. Murphy also said the rate at which the number of confirmed virus cases was doubling in each of the state’s counties was beginning to slow.
“This is progress,” he said, showing a county-by-county map of new cases. “Our social distancing is in fact beginning to show effect here.“This is progress,” he said, showing a county-by-county map of new cases. “Our social distancing is in fact beginning to show effect here.
The governor announced 3,748 new cases, pushing the total number in the state to 51,027. He said that as the number of new cases continued to rise, people had to keep following the order to stay at home and to wear masks when going to the grocery store.The governor announced 3,748 new cases, pushing the total number in the state to 51,027. He said that as the number of new cases continued to rise, people had to keep following the order to stay at home and to wear masks when going to the grocery store.
“We have got to get to a plateau,” he said. “This is not a time for selfishness.”“We have got to get to a plateau,” he said. “This is not a time for selfishness.”
Nearly 480 people were discharged from hospitals from Wednesday to Thursday, he said, including James Pruden, an emergency room doctor who contracted the virus in late March.Nearly 480 people were discharged from hospitals from Wednesday to Thursday, he said, including James Pruden, an emergency room doctor who contracted the virus in late March.
Mr. Murphy also announced new grace periods for people who had lost their jobs and could not pay their insurance premiums: 60 days for people unable to pay health and dental premiums and 90 days for those unable to pay home, auto, renter’s and life insurance premiums.Mr. Murphy also announced new grace periods for people who had lost their jobs and could not pay their insurance premiums: 60 days for people unable to pay health and dental premiums and 90 days for those unable to pay home, auto, renter’s and life insurance premiums.
In a city ravaged by the virus, few places have suffered as much as central Queens, where a seven-square-mile patch of densely packed immigrant enclaves recorded more than 7,000 cases in the outbreak’s first weeks.In a city ravaged by the virus, few places have suffered as much as central Queens, where a seven-square-mile patch of densely packed immigrant enclaves recorded more than 7,000 cases in the outbreak’s first weeks.
A group of adjoining neighborhoods — Corona, Elmhurst, East Elmhurst and Jackson Heights — has emerged as the epicenter of New York’s raging outbreak.A group of adjoining neighborhoods — Corona, Elmhurst, East Elmhurst and Jackson Heights — has emerged as the epicenter of New York’s raging outbreak.
As of Wednesday, those communities, with a combined population of around 600,000, had recorded more than 7,260 virus cases, according to city data. Manhattan, with nearly three times as many people, had about 10,860 cases.As of Wednesday, those communities, with a combined population of around 600,000, had recorded more than 7,260 virus cases, according to city data. Manhattan, with nearly three times as many people, had about 10,860 cases.
The crisis has transformed the area. Roosevelt Avenue, a vital commercial artery that normally bustles with taquerias, arepa stands, threading salons and shops selling newspapers in dozens of languages, has all but shut down. The eerie silence is intermittently broken by sirens and the clattering of trains on elevated tracks.The crisis has transformed the area. Roosevelt Avenue, a vital commercial artery that normally bustles with taquerias, arepa stands, threading salons and shops selling newspapers in dozens of languages, has all but shut down. The eerie silence is intermittently broken by sirens and the clattering of trains on elevated tracks.
“We’re the epicenter of the epicenter,” said Councilman Daniel Dromm, a Democrat who represents Elmhurst and Jackson Heights. He became emotional as he took stock of losses that included five friends and more than two dozen constituents. “This has shaken the whole neighborhood,” he said.“We’re the epicenter of the epicenter,” said Councilman Daniel Dromm, a Democrat who represents Elmhurst and Jackson Heights. He became emotional as he took stock of losses that included five friends and more than two dozen constituents. “This has shaken the whole neighborhood,” he said.
Mayor Bill de Blasio said on Thursday that even as New Yorkers could probably expect to remain under heavy restrictions through May, he and other officials have started to envision a return to normalcy.Mayor Bill de Blasio said on Thursday that even as New Yorkers could probably expect to remain under heavy restrictions through May, he and other officials have started to envision a return to normalcy.
His remarks contrasted sharply with those of the governor, who questioned whether officials could accurately predict the spread of a virus that experts did not fully understand.His remarks contrasted sharply with those of the governor, who questioned whether officials could accurately predict the spread of a virus that experts did not fully understand.
“I’m not going to guess when the data will say we should change our practices,” Mr. Cuomo said.“I’m not going to guess when the data will say we should change our practices,” Mr. Cuomo said.
“Who can look forward and say ‘This is where we’re going to be in three or four or five weeks’,” he said.“Who can look forward and say ‘This is where we’re going to be in three or four or five weeks’,” he said.
The mayor said he thought that as soon as mid-May, the city could move to the next stage in the epidemic, where the virus was spreading at a low level that allowed cases to be traced more easily.The mayor said he thought that as soon as mid-May, the city could move to the next stage in the epidemic, where the virus was spreading at a low level that allowed cases to be traced more easily.
“We can say that it’s time to start planning for the next phase very overtly,” Mr. de Blasio said at a news conference.“We can say that it’s time to start planning for the next phase very overtly,” Mr. de Blasio said at a news conference.
He emphasized, though, that any such a transition would require the availability of widespread testing to a degree that was not yet available.He emphasized, though, that any such a transition would require the availability of widespread testing to a degree that was not yet available.
“We need a whole lot of testing,” Mr. de Blasio said. “We need the federal government to step up, we need them to do it quickly.”“We need a whole lot of testing,” Mr. de Blasio said. “We need the federal government to step up, we need them to do it quickly.”
Still, Mr. de Blasio’s remarks reflected the cautious optimism that other officials have expressed in recent days as hospitalizations seemed to slow.Still, Mr. de Blasio’s remarks reflected the cautious optimism that other officials have expressed in recent days as hospitalizations seemed to slow.
The mayor, echoing Mr. Cuomo, said that any move toward loosening social-distancing guidelines would require New Yorkers to continue adhering to the existing rules for now.The mayor, echoing Mr. Cuomo, said that any move toward loosening social-distancing guidelines would require New Yorkers to continue adhering to the existing rules for now.
The mayor was unwilling to discuss in detail what such a loosening might look like.The mayor was unwilling to discuss in detail what such a loosening might look like.
“In any scenario, we want to see the maximum number of people work at home for a long time,” he said.“In any scenario, we want to see the maximum number of people work at home for a long time,” he said.
The mayor also said the city would look for decreases in three key figures before relaxing social-distancing rules: the percentage of positive coronavirus tests, the numbers of people admitted to hospitals who were suspected to have the virus and the number admitted to intensive-care units who were suspected of being infected.The mayor also said the city would look for decreases in three key figures before relaxing social-distancing rules: the percentage of positive coronavirus tests, the numbers of people admitted to hospitals who were suspected to have the virus and the number admitted to intensive-care units who were suspected of being infected.
All three figures would need to trend downward for 10 days to two weeks before restrictions could be eased, Mr. de Blasio said.All three figures would need to trend downward for 10 days to two weeks before restrictions could be eased, Mr. de Blasio said.
The mayor also said that officials were two to three days away from deciding whether public schools would reopen before the end of the school year in June.The mayor also said that officials were two to three days away from deciding whether public schools would reopen before the end of the school year in June.
At a group home on Long Island for severely developmentally disabled people, 80 percent of residents have tested positive for the coronavirus. At a similar facility in Queens, three residents have died. At another in Manhattan, ambulances have become frequent visitors.
As devastating as the virus has been in the general population, it is preying with particular ruthlessness on New York’s sprawling network of group homes for people with special needs.
As of Monday, 105 of the 140,000 developmentally disabled people monitored by the state had died — double the state’s overall death rate. More than 1,100 had tested positive for the virus.
A recent study by a consortium of private service providers found that residents of group homes and similar facilities in the New York City area were over five times more likely than the general population to develop Covid-19 and nearly five times more likely to die from it.
People who work with the disabled described the challenges of enforcing social distancing among them.
“One of the individuals here is positive, and his behavior is to get up, to pace, and he wants to give me a hug, shake my hand,” said one caregiver on Staten Island. “They have a hard time realizing that they need to be isolated.”
At the facility on Long Island, 37 of the 46 residents have tested positive, two have died and nine are hospitalized.
“Forgive me if I get emotional,” said the home’s director, Bob McGuire. “People discount people with disabilities and presume they understand them when they don’t know them. They think their lives are not worth the same as yours or mine, and that’s just not true.”
Black and Hispanic people in New York City are about twice as likely to die of the virus as white people are, according to preliminary data released on Wednesday by the city.
Mayor Bill de Blasio said early Wednesday that the disparities reflected economic inequity and differences in access to health care.
Mr. de Blasio and Dr. Oxiris Barbot, the city’s health commissioner, stressed that some of the city’s Hispanic residents might have been discouraged from seeking medical care 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,” she said.
Mr. Cuomo said on Wednesday that the differences could be partly attributed to some groups having more untreated chronic health problems than others, making them more likely to die of the virus. But he also said that black and Hispanic people might also be disproportionately represented in the ranks of workers whose jobs on the front lines put them at risk.
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, Annie Correal, Maria Cramer, Michael Gold, Andrew Jacobs, Matthew Haag, Danny Hakim, Jeffery C. Mays, Andy Newman, Azi Paybarah, Aaron Randle and Carl Zimmer.Reporting was contributed by Jonah Engel Bromwich, Annie Correal, Maria Cramer, Michael Gold, Andrew Jacobs, Matthew Haag, Danny Hakim, Jeffery C. Mays, Andy Newman, Azi Paybarah, Aaron Randle and Carl Zimmer.