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Number of Virus Patients in I.C.U.s Starts to Fall in N.Y.: Live Updates Number of Virus Patients in I.C.U.s Starts to Fall in N.Y.: Live Updates
(32 minutes later)
Fewer coronavirus patients in New York State were in intensive-care units on Friday than on Thursday, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said — the first time the figure had fallen since the outbreak began.Fewer coronavirus patients in New York State were in intensive-care units on Friday than on Thursday, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said — the first time the figure had fallen since the outbreak began.
The drop was small: 17 people, to 4,908, from 4,925 yesterday. But it provides an important data point indicating that the curve of infection is flattening, the governor said. A week ago, the number was growing by more than 300 people per day. The vast majority of those patients are on ventilators.The drop was small: 17 people, to 4,908, from 4,925 yesterday. But it provides an important data point indicating that the curve of infection is flattening, the governor said. A week ago, the number was growing by more than 300 people per day. The vast majority of those patients are on ventilators.
The virus continues to take a tremendous number of lives, however. Another 777 people died in New York, pushing the state’s total to 7,844 and the total for the tristate region of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut past 10,000, to 10,157.The virus continues to take a tremendous number of lives, however. Another 777 people died in New York, pushing the state’s total to 7,844 and the total for the tristate region of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut past 10,000, to 10,157.
Many of the people who died had been in the hospital and on ventilators for weeks, Mr. Cuomo said.Many of the people who died had been in the hospital and on ventilators for weeks, Mr. Cuomo said.
But he noted that the one-day death toll has been relatively steady the past three days, and that Friday’s figure was lower than Thursday’s. But he noted that the one-day death toll had been relatively steady the past three days, and that Friday’s figure was lower than Thursday’s.
“As someone who searches for solace in all this grief, the leveling off in lives lost is a somewhat hopeful sign,” he said.“As someone who searches for solace in all this grief, the leveling off in lives lost is a somewhat hopeful sign,” he said.
The number of virus patients who are hospitalized also remains nearly flat, Mr. Cuomo said. It increased 2 percent from Thursday to Friday, after increasing 1 percent from Wednesday to Thursday. Two weeks ago, it was growing more than 20 percent per day.The number of virus patients who are hospitalized also remains nearly flat, Mr. Cuomo said. It increased 2 percent from Thursday to Friday, after increasing 1 percent from Wednesday to Thursday. Two weeks ago, it was growing more than 20 percent per day.
This is not to say that the virus is going away any time soon. The total number of confirmed cases in New York State rose by nearly 11,000 from Thursday to Friday and now stands at 170,812.This is not to say that the virus is going away any time soon. The total number of confirmed cases in New York State rose by nearly 11,000 from Thursday to Friday and now stands at 170,812.
The leveling off in the number of patients in hospitals, though, and on ventilators in intensive-care units, is happening sooner than officials expected.The leveling off in the number of patients in hospitals, though, and on ventilators in intensive-care units, is happening sooner than officials expected.
In March, three different public-health groups issued projections for the state’s need for hospital beds for virus patients. They showed a range of 55,000 to 136,000 beds.In March, three different public-health groups issued projections for the state’s need for hospital beds for virus patients. They showed a range of 55,000 to 136,000 beds.
As of Friday, Mr. Cuomo said, there were 18,569 virus patients in hospitals.As of Friday, Mr. Cuomo said, there were 18,569 virus patients in hospitals.
“The actual curve is much, much lower than any of them projected,” Mr. Cuomo said.“The actual curve is much, much lower than any of them projected,” Mr. Cuomo said.
The anticipated need for hospital space had driven the state’s frantic effort to expand hospital capacity, which included turning the Javits Center in Manhattan into a giant makeshift hospital ward, with the military’s help, and erecting a field hospital in Central Park.The anticipated need for hospital space had driven the state’s frantic effort to expand hospital capacity, which included turning the Javits Center in Manhattan into a giant makeshift hospital ward, with the military’s help, and erecting a field hospital in Central Park.
The state had also projected a need for 30,000 to 40,000 ventilators, a number that, if current trends continue, far exceeds what will be needed.The state had also projected a need for 30,000 to 40,000 ventilators, a number that, if current trends continue, far exceeds what will be needed.
Mr. Cuomo credited the state’s aggressive measures on social distancing — and New Yorkers’ compliance with them — for helping stem the spread of the virus.Mr. Cuomo credited the state’s aggressive measures on social distancing — and New Yorkers’ compliance with them — for helping stem the spread of the virus.
The governor also continued his calls for President Trump to use the Defense Production Act to require private companies to produce far more tests for the coronavirus. Someone held Stephen Solomon’s hand as he was dying. But it was not his daughter.
Mr. Cuomo said that states and private companies on their own were not capable of producing the millions of tests likely needed before businesses can reopen. His son hoisted the spadefuls of earth that are customary during a Jewish burial. But his wife, sick with the coronavirus and quarantined at home, was not there.
For years, every Thursday was burial day on Hart Island, the final resting place off the Bronx for New York City’s unclaimed dead. No one heard a military honor guard play taps for Mr. Solomon, a Coast Guard veteran who died at 72 in a New Jersey hospital. And no one accepted a crisply folded American flag, offered on behalf of a grateful nation.
But as with many things, the coronavirus has changed all that. In the United States, the coronavirus has stolen far more than 16,695 lives. It has robbed families of the rituals that follow death.
Burials are now being done five days a week at Hart Island, with roughly 25 bodies lowered into trenches each day, according to a city official. That is as many burials as would typically be done in a week before the virus hit. Funeral services at most churches, synagogues, temples and mosques have been suspended indefinitely by social-distancing orders meant to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Wakes, if they happen at all, are limited to immediate family members.
Drone footage and images have circulated of burial crews in freshly dug muddy trenches burying body after body in bare wooden boxes. Graveside military honors have been discontinued. Many cemeteries are permitting only one funeral home employee, one religious leader and one family representative at burials. In some Jewish families, shiva, a weeklong mourning period, is taking place on Zoom.
In the past, the city’s morgues had adequate space to hold the unclaimed dead for 30 to 60 days before they were buried on the island. But with the pace of the Covid-19 death toll increasing, the city is moving to bury more of those people to clear space in the morgues. “It took my dad away,” Mr. Solomon’s son, Bernard, said of the virus. “But it also took away our ability to comfort each other, to be with each other.”
“Because we didn’t have pressure on the system, we didn’t have to move them quickly,” the official said. “We are now burying people who have been sitting with us for quite some time.” Many funeral homes are turning to digital solutions — live streaming or taping services so that family members can participate remotely or watch later.
An analysis by The New York Times found that during the 31 days ending April 4, deaths in New York City were more than double the normal total. “In some ways, it’s like a doctor not being able to perform surgery on someone who needs it,” said Ellen McBrayer, the spokeswoman for the National Funeral Directors Association.
The official said that it is possible that the burial of the unclaimed bodies of Covid-19 victims has already begun, because people have been dying of the virus for weeks. “Funeral homes and the funeral home workers want to meet families where they are in their grief, and this has changed everything.”
“We know that if it didn’t happen yesterday, it’s only a matter of days until people are buried because of the time that has passed,” the official said on Friday morning, referring to victims of the disease.
Contract workers are now doing the burials, rather than the Rikers Island inmates who normally do them, the official said.
The official stressed that the only people being buried are those for whom the city has been unable to contact next of kin for some time.
“We understand extenuating circumstances,” the official said, noting that bodies that have not been claimed because their families are under quarantine or on lockdown or for some other reason, will not be buried on Hart Island.
Gov. Philip D. Murphy of New Jersey reported Friday that 233 more people had died of the virus, bringing the state’s death toll to 1,932.Gov. Philip D. Murphy of New Jersey reported Friday that 233 more people had died of the virus, bringing the state’s death toll to 1,932.
The number of virus patients on ventilators, which according to state data had fallen from Wednesday to Thursday, increased 7 percent from Thursday to Friday.The number of virus patients on ventilators, which according to state data had fallen from Wednesday to Thursday, increased 7 percent from Thursday to Friday.
Mr. Murphy also said that he was signing an executive order authorizing home confinement for some prison inmates who were considered to be at low risk to society. Mr. Murphy also said that he was signing an executive order authorizing home confinement for some prison inmates who were considered to be low risk to society.
“We are setting up a robust process through which each potential individual will be determined to be safe to place on home confinement,” he said. “No one who cannot meet these standards will be released.”“We are setting up a robust process through which each potential individual will be determined to be safe to place on home confinement,” he said. “No one who cannot meet these standards will be released.”
Two state-run veterans homes in New Jersey continue to battle severe outbreaks of the virus.Two state-run veterans homes in New Jersey continue to battle severe outbreaks of the virus.
At the New Jersey Veterans Home in Paramus, 29 residents and 17 staff members have tested positive for the virus, and 13 people have died of it, the state health commissioner, Judith M. Persichilli, said. At the New Jersey Veterans Home in Paramus, 29 residents and 17 staff members had tested positive for the virus, and 13 people had died of it, the state health commissioner, Judith M. Persichilli, said.
At a veterans home in Menlo Park 16 residents and five staff members have tested positive for the virus, and 12 residents remain hospitalized with the virus. There have been four coronavirus-related deaths linked to the facility. At a veterans home in Menlo Park, 16 residents and five staff members had tested positive for the virus, and 12 residents remained hospitalized with the virus. There have been four coronavirus-related deaths linked to the facility.
Seventy-five combat medics from the Army National Guard have been sent to the two group homes.
Gov. Ned Lamont of Connecticut announced Friday that he would sign an executive order extending closings and social distancing requirements in the state until May 20.Gov. Ned Lamont of Connecticut announced Friday that he would sign an executive order extending closings and social distancing requirements in the state until May 20.
The decision goes beyond the shutdown policies in New York and New Jersey. New York’s currently expires on April 29 and New Jersey’s on May 8.The decision goes beyond the shutdown policies in New York and New Jersey. New York’s currently expires on April 29 and New Jersey’s on May 8.
“While data is starting to show a flattening of the curve, we’re not out of the woods,” Governor Lamont wrote on Twitter. “Returning to normal too soon will have too many negative consequences.”“While data is starting to show a flattening of the curve, we’re not out of the woods,” Governor Lamont wrote on Twitter. “Returning to normal too soon will have too many negative consequences.”
The governor announced yesterday that public schools would not be reopened until May 20, as well.The governor announced yesterday that public schools would not be reopened until May 20, as well.
In Connecticut, 9,784 people have tested positive for the disease — with black people testing positive at twice the rate of whites — and 380 have died.In Connecticut, 9,784 people have tested positive for the disease — with black people testing positive at twice the rate of whites — and 380 have died.
Also on Friday, the governor signed an order to protect tenants that bars landlords from issuing eviction notices before July 1 and requires them to provide a 60-day, interest-free grace period for April and May rent.Also on Friday, the governor signed an order to protect tenants that bars landlords from issuing eviction notices before July 1 and requires them to provide a 60-day, interest-free grace period for April and May rent.
New York City hospitals have largely abandoned an experimental practice once seen as a solution to shortages of ventilators, the machines that help severe coronavirus patients to breathe.New York City hospitals have largely abandoned an experimental practice once seen as a solution to shortages of ventilators, the machines that help severe coronavirus patients to breathe.
The practice, called ventilator sharing, uses one machine to support multiple patients.The practice, called ventilator sharing, uses one machine to support multiple patients.
Several hospitals began trying it last month as patient numbers surged and projections predicted large ventilator shortfalls.Several hospitals began trying it last month as patient numbers surged and projections predicted large ventilator shortfalls.
But doctors found that balancing the needs of multiple patients was too complicated, took too much staff time and ultimately may have been dangerous.But doctors found that balancing the needs of multiple patients was too complicated, took too much staff time and ultimately may have been dangerous.
At the Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center in the Bronx, doctors attempted the practice this week when they temporarily ran out of ventilators, but quickly stopped because the patients on the machine did not respond well, several hospital workers said. At the Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center in the Bronx, doctors attempted the practice this week when they temporarily ran out of ventilators, but quickly stopped because the patients on the machine did not respond well, several hospital workers said.
“More hype than reality,” an emergency room doctor at another hospital said of ventilator sharing. “Both arduous and dangerous.”“More hype than reality,” an emergency room doctor at another hospital said of ventilator sharing. “Both arduous and dangerous.”
The NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, a large health system that led the ventilator sharing effort, acknowledged it had halted the practice but said it was because it did not end up being necessary. NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, a large health system that led the ventilator-sharing effort, acknowledged it had halted the practice but said it was because it did not end up being necessary.
“The protocol was developed to address emergency shortages of ventilators, and we have been fortunate to not have to utilize it, thus far,” a spokesperson said.“The protocol was developed to address emergency shortages of ventilators, and we have been fortunate to not have to utilize it, thus far,” a spokesperson said.
For years, every Thursday was burial day on Hart Island, the final resting place off the Bronx for New York City’s unclaimed dead.
But as with many things, the coronavirus has changed all that.
Burials are now being done five days a week at Hart Island, with roughly 25 bodies lowered into trenches each day, according to a city official. That is as many burials as would typically be done in a week before the virus hit.
Drone footage and images have circulated of burial crews in freshly dug muddy trenches burying body after body in bare wooden boxes.
In the past, the city’s morgues had adequate space to hold the unclaimed dead for 30 to 60 days before they were buried on the island. But with the pace of the Covid-19 death toll increasing, the city is moving to bury more of those people to clear space in the morgues.
“We are now burying people who have been sitting with us for quite some time,” the official said.
An analysis by The New York Times found that during the 31 days ending April 4, deaths in New York City were more than double the normal total.
The official said it was possible that Covid-19 victims had already begun being buried, because people have been dying of the virus for weeks.
Contract workers are now doing the burials, rather than the Rikers Island inmates who normally do them, the official said.
The official stressed that the only people being buried are those for whom the city has been unable to contact next of kin for some time.
“We understand extenuating circumstances,” the official said, noting that bodies that have not been claimed because their families are under quarantine or on lockdown or for some other reason would not be buried on Hart Island.
Mr. Cuomo on Friday asked Congress to support the creation of a federal fund to compensate health care workers and other emergency responders for their efforts during the coronavirus pandemic.Mr. Cuomo on Friday asked Congress to support the creation of a federal fund to compensate health care workers and other emergency responders for their efforts during the coronavirus pandemic.
The governor threw his support behind Democratic legislation in the United States Senate to create a so-called Covid-19 Heroes Fund, which would provide a $25,000 pay increase for every front-line worker. The fund would also provide $15,000 bonuses to new hires in hospital and home health care positions.The governor threw his support behind Democratic legislation in the United States Senate to create a so-called Covid-19 Heroes Fund, which would provide a $25,000 pay increase for every front-line worker. The fund would also provide $15,000 bonuses to new hires in hospital and home health care positions.
Mr. Cuomo likened the proposal to the Sept. 11 Victim Compensation Fund that was started for victims of the terror attacks and their families.Mr. Cuomo likened the proposal to the Sept. 11 Victim Compensation Fund that was started for victims of the terror attacks and their families.
“What’s even better is to take action showing our gratitude,” he said. “Saying it is nice. Doing it is even better.”“What’s even better is to take action showing our gratitude,” he said. “Saying it is nice. Doing it is even better.”
Plans to turn the Cathedral of St. John the Divine into a 200-bed coronavirus field hospital were abruptly shelved on Thursday. The official reason given by public officials was that a leveling off in virus-related hospitalizations in New York City had made them reassess the need for the project.
But behind the scenes, Episcopal leaders said they were upset by the role played by an evangelical humanitarian organization whose approach to L.G.B.T. issues runs counter to that of the Episcopal Diocese of New York, which is based at the cathedral.
The group, Samaritan’s Purse — which the diocese said it did not realize was involved — is led by the Rev. Franklin Graham, who has been criticized for anti-Muslim and anti-L.G.B.T.Q. rhetoric. The organization’s statement of faith includes a belief that “marriage is exclusively the union of one genetic male and one genetic female.”
The role of Samaritan’s Purse in responding to the coronavirus outbreak in New York first drew criticism last month when the group, in partnership with the Mount Sinai Health System, built a field hospital in Central Park.
Mr. de Blasio said at a news conference last week that the city had received assurances from Samaritan’s Purse that it would follow local anti-discrimination laws in providing treatment.
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 Matthew Haag, Winnie Hu, Corey Kilgannon, Andy Newman, Sarah Maslin Nir, William K. Rashbaum, Brian M. Rosenthal, Liam Stack and Ali Watkins. Reporting was contributed by Matthew Haag, Winnie Hu, Corey Kilgannon, Andy Newman, Sarah Maslin Nir, William K. Rashbaum, Brian M. Rosenthal, Andrea Salcedo, Tracey Tully and Ali Watkins.