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Watch Now: Cuomo Speaks on Virus in N.Y. Number of N.Y. Virus Patients in I.C.U.s Dips: Live Updates
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Fewer coronavirus patients in New York State were on ventilators 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. 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 lives at the same rate it has in the past few days. Another 777 people died, Mr. Cuomo said, bringing the state’s total to 7,844. Many of the people who died had been in the hospital and on ventilators for weeks, he said. The virus continues to take a tremendous number of lives, however. Another 777 people died, Mr. Cuomo said, bringing the state’s total to 7,844. Many of the people who died had been in the hospital and on ventilators for weeks, he said.
“We continue to lose a tremendous number of lives,” Mr. Cuomo said on Friday. “As someone who searches for solace in all this grief, the leveling off in lives lost is a somewhat hopeful sign.” 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.
The number of virus patients who are hospitalized also remains nearly flat, Mr. Cuomo said. It increased by 2 percent from Thursday to Friday, after increasing by 1 percent from Wednesday to Thursday. Two weeks ago, it was growing by 20 percent per day. “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 by 2 percent from Thursday to Friday, after increasing by 1 percent from Wednesday to Thursday. Two weeks ago, it was growing by more than 20 percent per day.
The leveling off of the number of patients in hospitals, and on ventilators in intensive-care units, is happening sooner than officials expected.The leveling off of the number of patients in hospitals, and on ventilators in intensive-care units, is happening sooner than officials expected.
Mr. Cuomo cited projections made in March by three different public-health groups of the growth in the state’s need for hospital beds. The projections showed a range of 55,000 to 136,000 beds.Mr. Cuomo cited projections made in March by three different public-health groups of the growth in the state’s need for hospital beds. The projections 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 and erecting a field hospital in the middle of 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 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 now seems far in excess of 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.
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. 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.
Mr. Cuomo has said that New York State cannot return to normal without r
the federal government to greatly expand testing capacity in New York State and across the country. He urged him to use the DPA to require companies to produce tests in the millions. He said that New York States and private companies on their own were not capable of meeting that goal. He said that testing at an “unprecedented scale” was required before people can return to work.
For years, every Thursday was burial day on Hart Island, the final resting place off the Bronx for New York City’s unclaimed dead.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, coronavirus has changed all that.But as with many things, 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.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.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 now, 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. 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.
“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.”“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.”
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.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.
“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.“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.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.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.“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. Phil 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. Phil 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 from Thursday to Friday by 7 percent.The number of virus patients on ventilators, which according to state data had fallen from Wednesday to Thursday, increased from Thursday to Friday by 7 percent.
Mr. Murphy 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 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.
In the quaint seaside resort of Cape May at New Jersey’s southern tip, a 30-year-old man from New York City was the county’s first confirmed case of the coronavirus.In the quaint seaside resort of Cape May at New Jersey’s southern tip, a 30-year-old man from New York City was the county’s first confirmed case of the coronavirus.
In Greene County, N.Y., home to the Catskill Mountains, the first four confirmed virus cases were all people from New York City.In Greene County, N.Y., home to the Catskill Mountains, the first four confirmed virus cases were all people from New York City.
As the coronavirus exploded in New York City, leaders and residents of areas that are seasonal refuges and second homes for city dwellers called for outsiders to stay away. fearing that an influx of people could strain resources, from supermarkets to parks, and overwhelm small hospitals.As the coronavirus exploded in New York City, leaders and residents of areas that are seasonal refuges and second homes for city dwellers called for outsiders to stay away. fearing that an influx of people could strain resources, from supermarkets to parks, and overwhelm small hospitals.
“If I was in New York City and I had a place up here, I’d be here,” said Shaun Groden, the Greene County administrator. “But I’m not going to come here with some false sense of security that once you get upstate, you’ll be taken care of. It’s just the opposite.”“If I was in New York City and I had a place up here, I’d be here,” said Shaun Groden, the Greene County administrator. “But I’m not going to come here with some false sense of security that once you get upstate, you’ll be taken care of. It’s just the opposite.”
Throughout the region, the virus seems to be mostly following a logical pattern of infection, growing outward from its epicenter of New York City.Throughout the region, the virus seems to be mostly following a logical pattern of infection, growing outward from its epicenter of New York City.
But there have also been bursts of flulike symptoms in areas where New Yorkers have summer homes, like the Adirondacks, the Jersey Shore, the Catskills and the Hamptons.But there have also been bursts of flulike symptoms in areas where New Yorkers have summer homes, like the Adirondacks, the Jersey Shore, the Catskills and the Hamptons.
And preliminary data and anecdotal evidence suggest that fleeing New Yorkers may have hastened the virus’s spread.And preliminary data and anecdotal evidence suggest that fleeing New Yorkers may have hastened the virus’s spread.
Fire Department data shows that 1,125 patients were pronounced dead in their homes or on the street in the first five days of April, more than eight times the 131 deaths recorded during the same period last year.Fire Department data shows that 1,125 patients were pronounced dead in their homes or on the street in the first five days of April, more than eight times the 131 deaths recorded during the same period last year.
Paramedics are not testing those they pronounce dead for the virus, so it is almost impossible to say how many of the people were infected with it. Some may have been tested before they died and either were not admitted to hospitals or were discharged.Paramedics are not testing those they pronounce dead for the virus, so it is almost impossible to say how many of the people were infected with it. Some may have been tested before they died and either were not admitted to hospitals or were discharged.
But the huge jump in the numbers suggests that the virus was involved in many of the recent deaths.But the huge jump in the numbers suggests that the virus was involved in many of the recent deaths.
“The driver of this huge uptick in deaths at home is Covid-19,” Mayor Bill de Blasio said on Thursday. “And some people are dying directly of it, and some people are dying indirectly of it, but it is the tragic ‘X’ factor here.”“The driver of this huge uptick in deaths at home is Covid-19,” Mayor Bill de Blasio said on Thursday. “And some people are dying directly of it, and some people are dying indirectly of it, but it is the tragic ‘X’ factor here.”
Nearly 120 morgue workers and soldiers are working around the clock to retrieve the bodies of up to 280 people a day who are dying at home in New York City, many of them probably having succumbed to the coronavirus without being counted in the official death toll.Nearly 120 morgue workers and soldiers are working around the clock to retrieve the bodies of up to 280 people a day who are dying at home in New York City, many of them probably having succumbed to the coronavirus without being counted in the official death toll.
The chief medical examiner’s office is overseeing the grisly task, with the help of more than 100 soldiers from the U.S. Army, the National Guard and the Air National Guard, officials said. Many of those involved in the operation have special training in processing human remains. The chief medical examiner’s office is overseeing the grisly task, with the help of more than 100 soldiers from the U.S. Army, the National Guard and the Air National Guard, officials said.
Fifteen four-person teams are working during each 12-hour shift, driving mostly rented vans, said Aja Worthy-Davis, a spokeswoman for the medical examiner’s office.Fifteen four-person teams are working during each 12-hour shift, driving mostly rented vans, said Aja Worthy-Davis, a spokeswoman for the medical examiner’s office.
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. 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 in the project 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 out of the cathedral.But behind the scenes, Episcopal leaders said they were upset by the role played in the project 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 out of the cathedral.
The group, Samaritan’s Purse — which the diocese 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 group, Samaritan’s Purse — which the diocese 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.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. 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.
The coronavirus pandemic that has ravaged New York has essentially erased much of the traffic in the country’s largest city, with traffic at the busiest bridges and tunnels plunging nearly 60 percent. The coronavirus pandemic that has ravaged New York has essentially erased much of the traffic in the country’s largest city, with traffic at the busiest bridges and tunnels plunging nearly 60 percent.
There are upsides to this: The air is cleaner, with levels of particulate matter, which contribute to health problems including lung cancer and heart attacks, down by as much as 35 percent across the city.There are upsides to this: The air is cleaner, with levels of particulate matter, which contribute to health problems including lung cancer and heart attacks, down by as much as 35 percent across the city.
And the relatively few motorists left on the road — many of whom are performing essential work — can get where they’re going a lot fast: rush-hour speeds on the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway have soared to 52 miles per hour, from 13 m.p.h.And the relatively few motorists left on the road — many of whom are performing essential work — can get where they’re going a lot fast: rush-hour speeds on the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway have soared to 52 miles per hour, from 13 m.p.h.
But a lot more people appear to be speeding. Even with far fewer people on the roads, automated speed cameras issued 24,765 speeding tickets citywide on March 27, nearly double the 12,672 tickets issued daily a month earlier, according to city data.But a lot more people appear to be speeding. Even with far fewer people on the roads, automated speed cameras issued 24,765 speeding tickets citywide on March 27, nearly double the 12,672 tickets issued daily a month earlier, according to city data.
The extraordinary shift offers a glimpse of what one of the world’s most gridlocked cities could look like without congestion and provides an unexpected case study for transportation officials and experts wrestling with how to manage limited street space for ever more users, including ride-share drivers and delivery trucks hauling Amazon boxes.The extraordinary shift offers a glimpse of what one of the world’s most gridlocked cities could look like without congestion and provides an unexpected case study for transportation officials and experts wrestling with how to manage limited street space for ever more users, including ride-share drivers and delivery trucks hauling Amazon boxes.
Amid growing concern over the pandemic’s disproportionately high toll on Latinos and African-Americans, who are twice as likely to die from the virus in New York City, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced five new testing facilities in several Brooklyn, Queens and Bronx neighborhoods that are majority-minority.
One has already opened: a drive-through mobile testing center in the parking lot of the Aqueduct Race at 110-00 Rockaway Boulevard in South Ozone Park, Queens. A second drive-through will open at 12:30 p.m. on Friday in the parking lot of the Sears department store at 2307 Beverly Road in Flatbush, Brooklyn.
Three walk-in facilities will open next week at health care centers Jamaica, Queens; the South Bronx; and in Brownsville, Brooklyn.
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, Liam Stack and Tracey Tully.Reporting was contributed by Matthew Haag, Winnie Hu, Corey Kilgannon, Andy Newman, Sarah Maslin Nir, William K. Rashbaum, Liam Stack and Tracey Tully.