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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
(about 1 hour later)
All week, officials in New York State have pointed to signs that the coronavirus outbreak is starting to come under control. Still, the number of sick people in hospitals and on ventilators kept growing, and the death toll mounted.All week, officials in New York State have pointed to signs that the coronavirus outbreak is starting to come under control. Still, the number of sick people in hospitals and on ventilators kept growing, and the death toll mounted.
On Friday, for the first time since the outbreak began, one of the main measures used to track the progress of sick patients in New York actually showed improvement.On Friday, for the first time since the outbreak began, one of the main measures used to track the progress of sick patients in New York actually showed improvement.
The number of virus patients being treated in intensive care units across the state fell by 17 people from the day before, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said.The number of virus patients being treated in intensive care units across the state fell by 17 people from the day before, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said.
Seventeen may be a very small number, but its significance is great. Just a week ago, the number of intensive-care patients — the vast majority of whom are on ventilators — was growing by more than 300 a day.Seventeen may be a very small number, but its significance is great. Just a week ago, the number of intensive-care patients — the vast majority of whom are on ventilators — was growing by more than 300 a day.
The promising news was tempered by the chilling fact that another 777 people had died of the virus on Thursday. But another important indicator, the growth of the number of virus patients in hospitals, has slowed so sharply that it has taken the health authorities by surprise.The promising news was tempered by the chilling fact that another 777 people had died of the virus on Thursday. But another important indicator, the growth of the number of virus patients in hospitals, has slowed so sharply that it has taken the health authorities by surprise.
In March, three 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. Models the state was using two weeks ago projected a need for 55,000 to 136,000 beds at the outbreak’s peak.
This drove a frantic effort to expand hospital capacity that included turning the Javits Convention Center in Manhattan into a giant makeshift hospital ward, with the military’s help, and erecting a field hospital in Central Park.
As of Friday, Mr. Cuomo said, there were 18,569 virus patients in hospitals, a number that has increased less than 3 percent over the past two days.As of Friday, Mr. Cuomo said, there were 18,569 virus patients in hospitals, a number that has increased less than 3 percent over the past two days.
“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 drove the state’s frantic effort to expand hospital capacity, which included turning the Javits Convention 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: Fewer than 5,000 people are currently in intensive care beds.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: Fewer than 5,000 people are currently in intensive care beds.
Mr. Cuomo credited the state’s aggressive measures on social distancing — and New Yorkers’ compliance with them — for helping stem the spread of the disease.Mr. Cuomo credited the state’s aggressive measures on social distancing — and New Yorkers’ compliance with them — for helping stem the spread of the disease.
This is not to say that the virus is going away any time soon.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, the largest single-day increase yet, and now stands at 170,812. The 777 deaths in New York pushed the state’s death toll to 7,844 and the total for the tristate region of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut over 10,000. The total number of confirmed cases in New York State rose by nearly 11,000 from Thursday to Friday, the largest single-day increase yet, and now stands at 170,812. The state’s death toll is 7,844, and the total for the tristate region of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut over 10,000.
But even in that grim news, Mr. Cuomo caught a flicker of promise. 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.But even in that grim news, Mr. Cuomo caught a flicker of promise. 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,” he said, “the leveling off in lives lost is a somewhat hopeful sign.”“As someone who searches for solace in all this grief,” he said, “the leveling off in lives lost is a somewhat hopeful sign.”
Someone held Stephen Solomon’s hand as he was dying. But it was not his daughter.Someone held Stephen Solomon’s hand as he was dying. But it was not his daughter.
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.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.
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.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.
In the United States, the coronavirus has stolen far more than 16,695 lives. It has robbed families of the rituals that follow death.In the United States, the coronavirus has stolen far more than 16,695 lives. It has robbed families of the rituals that follow death.
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.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.
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.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.
“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.”“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.”
Many funeral homes are turning to digital solutions — live streaming or taping services so that family members can participate remotely or watch later.Many funeral homes are turning to digital solutions — live streaming or taping services so that family members can participate remotely or watch later.
“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.“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.
“Funeral homes and the funeral home workers want to meet families where they are in their grief, and this has changed everything.”“Funeral homes and the funeral home workers want to meet families where they are in their grief, and this has changed everything.”
For a lot of New Yorkers, the time of coronavirus will be defined by two sounds.
One is the ambulance sirens, shrieking at random, at all hours, through deserted streets.
The other is its opposite: the nightly 7 p.m. cheer for the hundreds of thousands of people saving lives and keeping the city running: health care providers, first responders, grocery workers, delivery riders.
In a city where the instinct to gather in crowds has been thwarted by the virus, the cheering gives people — from their separate windows, terraces, fire escapes, stoops and rooftops — a way to connect.
The daily ovation, which began in China and has traveled around the globe with the virus, cheers some of the front-line workers, too.
“I avoid being out on the street at 7 p.m.,” said Oswaldo Luciano, a nurse at Mount Sinai Hospital in Manhattan, “because if on my walk home I would hear all that cheering, I would break down and cry. I cannot let myself cry at this very moment.”
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 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 had tested positive for the virus, and 13 people had 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 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.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.
Five more people in New York City shelters have died of the coronavirus, as the pandemic continues to spread through the city’s homeless population.Five more people in New York City shelters have died of the coronavirus, as the pandemic continues to spread through the city’s homeless population.
The Department of Social Services reported that a total of 20 people staying in the city’s shelter system had died as of Thursday. And 300 people across 109 shelters had tested positive, meaning the coronavirus has now affected at least a quarter of the main shelter system.The Department of Social Services reported that a total of 20 people staying in the city’s shelter system had died as of Thursday. And 300 people across 109 shelters had tested positive, meaning the coronavirus has now affected at least a quarter of the main shelter system.
The social services department has not publicly disclosed the names of the deceased, but the majority of them are single men who lived in dormitory-style shelters where social distancing is nearly impossible.The social services department has not publicly disclosed the names of the deceased, but the majority of them are single men who lived in dormitory-style shelters where social distancing is nearly impossible.
The five recent deaths were all men, three of whom were living in dormitory-style shelters and two in shelters for adult families.The five recent deaths were all men, three of whom were living in dormitory-style shelters and two in shelters for adult families.
The city has been placing people who test positive or exhibit coronavirus symptoms in hotel rooms where they can better isolate themselves. About 450 people were in hotels on Thursday, while 128 had left the rooms after recovering from symptoms, according to the social services agency.The city has been placing people who test positive or exhibit coronavirus symptoms in hotel rooms where they can better isolate themselves. About 450 people were in hotels on Thursday, while 128 had left the rooms after recovering from symptoms, according to the social services agency.
The city has set aside 700 rooms and has added three hotels to move single adults 70 and older out of congregate shelters. But advocates for homeless people are calling on Mayor de Blasio to use 30,000 additional empty hotel rooms so that more people can properly distance themselves.The city has set aside 700 rooms and has added three hotels to move single adults 70 and older out of congregate shelters. But advocates for homeless people are calling on Mayor de Blasio to use 30,000 additional empty hotel rooms so that more people can properly distance themselves.
The Urban Justice Center started a GoFundMe campaign to help homeless people move from streets and subway stations and into hotel rooms. The group has raised about $29,000, but Paulette Soltani, the political director of the advocacy group VOCAL-NY, said the money raised was not nearly enough to meet the need.The Urban Justice Center started a GoFundMe campaign to help homeless people move from streets and subway stations and into hotel rooms. The group has raised about $29,000, but Paulette Soltani, the political director of the advocacy group VOCAL-NY, said the money raised was not nearly enough to meet the need.
“Securing 30,000 hotel rooms would save lives of homeless, their coworkers, shelter workers and their families,” Ms. Soltani said in a statement. “Other cities and states are already doing this.”“Securing 30,000 hotel rooms would save lives of homeless, their coworkers, shelter workers and their families,” Ms. Soltani said in a statement. “Other cities and states are already doing this.”
Mayor Bill de Blasio on Friday called for a rent freeze for the more than 2 million New Yorkers living in rent-stabilized apartments who may be struggling to pay during the coronavirus pandemic.Mayor Bill de Blasio on Friday called for a rent freeze for the more than 2 million New Yorkers living in rent-stabilized apartments who may be struggling to pay during the coronavirus pandemic.
At a news conference at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens, where courts have been converted to a hospital facility, Mr. de Blasio urged the city’s Rent Guidelines Board to institute the freeze as the city continues to navigate bureaucratic red tape.At a news conference at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens, where courts have been converted to a hospital facility, Mr. de Blasio urged the city’s Rent Guidelines Board to institute the freeze as the city continues to navigate bureaucratic red tape.
“Lord knows, people do not need another burden at this moment,” the mayor said. “We need that rent freeze, and we need it now.“Lord knows, people do not need another burden at this moment,” the mayor said. “We need that rent freeze, and we need it now.
Mr. de Blasio also called once again on the state to change a legal provision to allow New Yorkers who cannot afford their rent to draw on their security deposits to do so.Mr. de Blasio also called once again on the state to change a legal provision to allow New Yorkers who cannot afford their rent to draw on their security deposits to do so.
The mayor’s request comes three weeks after Mr. Cuomo implemented a 90-day moratorium on evictions for residential and commercial tenants and suspended mortgage payments for three months for homeowners in financial distress.The mayor’s request comes three weeks after Mr. Cuomo implemented a 90-day moratorium on evictions for residential and commercial tenants and suspended mortgage payments for three months for homeowners in financial distress.
Asked why he would not again try closing city streets to allow people more space to roam outside, as the city did for several days at the end of March, Mr. de Blasio said he and his staff would “keep looking at” the possibility but said the city’s police department was understaffed and that top brass were concerned about whether they would be able to sufficiently patrol large open areas.Asked why he would not again try closing city streets to allow people more space to roam outside, as the city did for several days at the end of March, Mr. de Blasio said he and his staff would “keep looking at” the possibility but said the city’s police department was understaffed and that top brass were concerned about whether they would be able to sufficiently patrol large open areas.
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, 10,538 people had tested positive for the disease as of Friday evening — with black people testing positive at twice the rate of whites — and 448 have died.In Connecticut, 10,538 people had tested positive for the disease as of Friday evening — with black people testing positive at twice the rate of whites — and 448 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.
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.
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.”
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, Andy Newman, Sarah Maslin Nir, William K. Rashbaum, Brian M. Rosenthal, Andrea Salcedo, Nikita Stewart, Tracey Tully and Ali Watkins.Reporting was contributed by Matthew Haag, Winnie Hu, Andy Newman, Sarah Maslin Nir, William K. Rashbaum, Brian M. Rosenthal, Andrea Salcedo, Nikita Stewart, Tracey Tully and Ali Watkins.