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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, 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.
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 has 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 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 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.
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 of the number of patients in hospitals, 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.
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. In March by 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 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.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 are not capable of producing the millions of tests likely needed before businesses can reopen.Mr. Cuomo said that states and private companies on their own are 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 and people cannot go back to work without rapid, widespread testing.Mr. Cuomo has said that New York State cannot return to normal and people cannot go back to work without rapid, widespread testing.
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 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. 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 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 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 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. 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.
In Greene County, N.Y., home to the Catskill Mountains, the first four confirmed virus cases were all people from New York City. The practice, called ventilator sharing, uses one machine to support multiple patients.
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. Several hospitals began trying it last month as patient numbers surged and projections predicted large ventilator shortfalls.
“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.” But doctors found that balancing the ever-changing needs of multiple patients was too complicated, took too much staff time and ultimately may have been dangerous.
Throughout the region, the virus seems to be mostly following a logical pattern of infection, growing outward from its epicenter of New York City. At the Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center in the Bronx, doctors attempted the practice earlier 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.
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. “More hype than reality,” an emergency room doctor at another hospital said of ventilator sharing. “Both arduous and dangerous.”
And preliminary data and anecdotal evidence suggest that fleeing New Yorkers may have hastened the virus’s spread. 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 end up being needed.
“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.
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.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.
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 Ali Watkins.