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| Stark Death Toll, but Cautious Optimism in N.Y. Over Hospitalizations | Stark Death Toll, but Cautious Optimism in N.Y. Over Hospitalizations |
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| The number of patients hospitalized with the coronavirus in New York State rose on Wednesday by only 200 from the previous day, officials said on Thursday, the smallest increase since before the imposition of a statewide lockdown and another promising sign that the government’s measures may have started working. | The number of patients hospitalized with the coronavirus in New York State rose on Wednesday by only 200 from the previous day, officials said on Thursday, the smallest increase since before the imposition of a statewide lockdown and another promising sign that the government’s measures may have started working. |
| But even as the flow of infected people into emergency rooms appeared to level out, more than 18,000 ailing patients — nearly equal to the capacity of Madison Square Garden — were still packed into New York’s hospitals, and the daily death toll was near 800 for the second day in a row, bringing the state’s total fatalities to more than 7,000. | But even as the flow of infected people into emergency rooms appeared to level out, more than 18,000 ailing patients — nearly equal to the capacity of Madison Square Garden — were still packed into New York’s hospitals, and the daily death toll was near 800 for the second day in a row, bringing the state’s total fatalities to more than 7,000. |
| For the better part of a month, the residents of New York, which has more than one-third of the total cases in the United States and more cases than any other country, have pored over data on the outbreak, trying to determine if the curve of new infections had finally been flattened and if the apex of the crisis had been reached. | For the better part of a month, the residents of New York, which has more than one-third of the total cases in the United States and more cases than any other country, have pored over data on the outbreak, trying to determine if the curve of new infections had finally been flattened and if the apex of the crisis had been reached. |
| While elected officials warned on Thursday that no one — not even the analysts who had built the statistical models — could perfectly predict what was ahead, there were fragile indications of good news on the ground as doctors in New York said the crush of new patients had started to slow down and the atmosphere of panic in their hospitals had begun to subside. | While elected officials warned on Thursday that no one — not even the analysts who had built the statistical models — could perfectly predict what was ahead, there were fragile indications of good news on the ground as doctors in New York said the crush of new patients had started to slow down and the atmosphere of panic in their hospitals had begun to subside. |
| “Hope is gaining a bit of an upper hand,” Vicki L. LoPachin, the chief medical officer of the Mount Sinai Health System, wrote in an email to the staff on Thursday morning. “Social distancing efforts are working, our inpatient volumes have stabilized, and on one single day this week, 167 Covid-19 patients were discharged from our hospitals.” | “Hope is gaining a bit of an upper hand,” Vicki L. LoPachin, the chief medical officer of the Mount Sinai Health System, wrote in an email to the staff on Thursday morning. “Social distancing efforts are working, our inpatient volumes have stabilized, and on one single day this week, 167 Covid-19 patients were discharged from our hospitals.” |
| Gov. Philip D. Murphy of New Jersey cited similar progress in the fight against the virus in his own state, which trailed only New York in the total number of cases. Even as Mr. Murphy reported on Thursday that another 198 people in the state had died, the number of patients on ventilators dropped by almost 2 percent, to 1,551 from 1,576, an indicator that the curve of the infection was flattening. | Gov. Philip D. Murphy of New Jersey cited similar progress in the fight against the virus in his own state, which trailed only New York in the total number of cases. Even as Mr. Murphy reported on Thursday that another 198 people in the state had died, the number of patients on ventilators dropped by almost 2 percent, to 1,551 from 1,576, an indicator that the curve of the infection was flattening. |
| Mr. Murphy’s New York counterpart, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, welcomed these developments at his daily briefing with a tone of wary optimism. But, as he has done over and over in recent days, Mr. Cuomo warned against complacency and insisted that whatever limited progress the state had made would only continue if New Yorkers stayed the course — and stayed away from one another. | Mr. Murphy’s New York counterpart, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, welcomed these developments at his daily briefing with a tone of wary optimism. But, as he has done over and over in recent days, Mr. Cuomo warned against complacency and insisted that whatever limited progress the state had made would only continue if New Yorkers stayed the course — and stayed away from one another. |
| Grappling with the question of when to lift public health restrictions and restart the state’s economy, Mr. Cuomo noted that would only happen by “increasing our testing capacity,” an effort that will most likely require significant federal assistance. Unlike some other leaders, Mr. Cuomo has refused to set a specific date for easing the government’s measures, admitting that even the experts cannot offer ironclad forecasts of the future. | Grappling with the question of when to lift public health restrictions and restart the state’s economy, Mr. Cuomo noted that would only happen by “increasing our testing capacity,” an effort that will most likely require significant federal assistance. Unlike some other leaders, Mr. Cuomo has refused to set a specific date for easing the government’s measures, admitting that even the experts cannot offer ironclad forecasts of the future. |
| “Who can look forward and say where we’re going to be in three to four weeks?” he said, adding, “The smartest person will start by saying ‘I don’t know.’” | “Who can look forward and say where we’re going to be in three to four weeks?” he said, adding, “The smartest person will start by saying ‘I don’t know.’” |
| Still, the data Mr. Cuomo offered on Thursday gave some reasons for hope. | Still, the data Mr. Cuomo offered on Thursday gave some reasons for hope. |
| One day last week, for example, the number of people hospitalized with the virus in New York rose by a bruising 1,427, or 11 percent. By contrast, the most recent net gain of 200 — meaning 200 more people were admitted with coronavirus symptoms than the number who left — was just a 1 percent increase from the previous day. | One day last week, for example, the number of people hospitalized with the virus in New York rose by a bruising 1,427, or 11 percent. By contrast, the most recent net gain of 200 — meaning 200 more people were admitted with coronavirus symptoms than the number who left — was just a 1 percent increase from the previous day. |
| There were also decreases in the number of new patients admitted to intensive care this week and in the amount of people who required emergency intubations. | There were also decreases in the number of new patients admitted to intensive care this week and in the amount of people who required emergency intubations. |
| But deaths — considered a lagging indicator that will be among the last statistics to drop — have not yet relented in New York, where 799 people died on Wednesday. For days, hospital and public morgues have been approaching their capacities. | But deaths — considered a lagging indicator that will be among the last statistics to drop — have not yet relented in New York, where 799 people died on Wednesday. For days, hospital and public morgues have been approaching their capacities. |
| There are now so many people dying in private homes that soldiers and members of the National Guard have started to haul the bodies out in rented vans. | There are now so many people dying in private homes that soldiers and members of the National Guard have started to haul the bodies out in rented vans. |
| On Wednesday night, the New York City Medical Reserve Corps sent out an email calling for “strong, willing” volunteers to serve as “body handlers” to tag and store dead bodies in refrigerated trailers. On Thursday morning, Mr. Cuomo said he would authorize out-of-state funeral directors to practice in New York to alleviate the burden on their overworked colleagues. | On Wednesday night, the New York City Medical Reserve Corps sent out an email calling for “strong, willing” volunteers to serve as “body handlers” to tag and store dead bodies in refrigerated trailers. On Thursday morning, Mr. Cuomo said he would authorize out-of-state funeral directors to practice in New York to alleviate the burden on their overworked colleagues. |
| “If you ever told me that as governor I would have to take these actions,” he said, “I couldn’t even contemplate where we are now.” | “If you ever told me that as governor I would have to take these actions,” he said, “I couldn’t even contemplate where we are now.” |
| Mr. Cuomo has long described New York’s hospitals as the front lines in the fight against the virus, and while the pressure was starting to ease at some, others continued to face strains. | Mr. Cuomo has long described New York’s hospitals as the front lines in the fight against the virus, and while the pressure was starting to ease at some, others continued to face strains. |
| At Elmhurst Hospital Center, a hard-hit public hospital in Queens, daily deaths from the virus have been in the double digits, with more than 20 people dying on Monday alone. The number of infected patients arriving at Elmhurst has sharply declined in recent days, doctors said, but the percentage of those coming in extremely sick and requiring oxygen has gone up. | At Elmhurst Hospital Center, a hard-hit public hospital in Queens, daily deaths from the virus have been in the double digits, with more than 20 people dying on Monday alone. The number of infected patients arriving at Elmhurst has sharply declined in recent days, doctors said, but the percentage of those coming in extremely sick and requiring oxygen has gone up. |
| Updated June 16, 2020 | |
| The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave. | |
| So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement. | So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement. |
| Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks. | |
| A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study. | A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study. |
| The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April. | The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April. |
| Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission. | Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission. |
| States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people. | States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people. |
| Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days. | Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days. |
| If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.) | If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.) |
| Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications. | Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications. |
| The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing. | The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing. |
| If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others. | If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others. |
| If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested. | If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested. |
| At Brookdale University Hospital Medical Center, a safety net hospital in Brooklyn, two doctors said the situation remained overwhelming on Thursday. Many workers at Brookdale have called out sick, and the reduced staffing levels have led to dangerous conditions. | At Brookdale University Hospital Medical Center, a safety net hospital in Brooklyn, two doctors said the situation remained overwhelming on Thursday. Many workers at Brookdale have called out sick, and the reduced staffing levels have led to dangerous conditions. |
| On one recent overnight shift, more than 15 nurses did not show up for work, leaving only five to handle the emergency room, one doctor said. Intubated patients — some of the most vulnerable in the hospital — were sometimes left alone, the other said. Both declined to be identified because they were not authorized to speak publicly. Brookdale officials did not respond to a request for comment on their staffing levels. | On one recent overnight shift, more than 15 nurses did not show up for work, leaving only five to handle the emergency room, one doctor said. Intubated patients — some of the most vulnerable in the hospital — were sometimes left alone, the other said. Both declined to be identified because they were not authorized to speak publicly. Brookdale officials did not respond to a request for comment on their staffing levels. |
| Patients have continued pouring into the NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital system, where officials said they planned to work with the military to create new field hospitals in Upper Manhattan to accommodate up to 350 people. | Patients have continued pouring into the NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital system, where officials said they planned to work with the military to create new field hospitals in Upper Manhattan to accommodate up to 350 people. |
| Most of the new beds were set to open next week under a mechanically inflated bubble and a nearby training center at Columbia University’s athletic facility, said Joe Ienuso, NewYork-Presbyterian’s senior vice president for facilities and real estate. The rest would be in a conference room area at the Milstein Hospital Building at 168th Street, starting at the end of this week. | Most of the new beds were set to open next week under a mechanically inflated bubble and a nearby training center at Columbia University’s athletic facility, said Joe Ienuso, NewYork-Presbyterian’s senior vice president for facilities and real estate. The rest would be in a conference room area at the Milstein Hospital Building at 168th Street, starting at the end of this week. |
| Only days ago, St. Barnabas Hospital in the Bronx had been dealing with a “waterfall” of gasping new patients, said Dr. Daniel G. Murphy, the chairman of the emergency medicine department. But by Thursday, Dr. Murphy said, the number of infected people coming in had slowed down to something that was more like a “low-volume creek.” | Only days ago, St. Barnabas Hospital in the Bronx had been dealing with a “waterfall” of gasping new patients, said Dr. Daniel G. Murphy, the chairman of the emergency medicine department. But by Thursday, Dr. Murphy said, the number of infected people coming in had slowed down to something that was more like a “low-volume creek.” |
| The staff at Mount Sinai South Nassau, a hospital in Oceanside on Long Island, devised its own method for marking good news. Every time a patient infected with the virus recovers and goes home, “Here Comes the Sun” is played on the public address system. | The staff at Mount Sinai South Nassau, a hospital in Oceanside on Long Island, devised its own method for marking good news. Every time a patient infected with the virus recovers and goes home, “Here Comes the Sun” is played on the public address system. |
| By Thursday evening, the old Beatles number had been blasted overhead 245 times. | By Thursday evening, the old Beatles number had been blasted overhead 245 times. |
| Reporting was contributed by Nicole Hong, Jesse McKinley, Sharon Otterman, William K. Rashbaum, Brian Rosenthal, Michael Rothfeld and Tracey Tully. | Reporting was contributed by Nicole Hong, Jesse McKinley, Sharon Otterman, William K. Rashbaum, Brian Rosenthal, Michael Rothfeld and Tracey Tully. |