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Virus Deaths in New York Increase Slightly, Cuomo Says: Live Updates Virus Deaths in New York Increase Slightly, Cuomo Says: Live Updates
(32 minutes later)
Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo arrived Saturday to the New York City’s Transit Corona Maintenance Facility in Queens to deliver a sliver of bad news in the fight against the coronavirus: the state’s daily coronavirus death toll went up slightly after a consistent decline in the past few days. Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo arrived Saturday to the New York City’s Transit Corona Maintenance Facility in Queens to deliver a sliver of bad news in the fight against the coronavirus: the state’s daily death toll went up slightly after a consistent decline in the past few days.
“The number that I watch everyday, which is the worse, is the number of deaths,” Mr. Cuomo said. “That number has remained obnoxiously and terrifyingly high. So that is bad news.”“The number that I watch everyday, which is the worse, is the number of deaths,” Mr. Cuomo said. “That number has remained obnoxiously and terrifyingly high. So that is bad news.”
The governor reported 299 deaths on Saturday, 10 more than the previous day. About 276 of those died in hospitals and 23 in nursing homes, the majority of them in New York City, he said.The governor reported 299 deaths on Saturday, 10 more than the previous day. About 276 of those died in hospitals and 23 in nursing homes, the majority of them in New York City, he said.
As part of its efforts to more closely control the virus, New York has conducted more than 15,000 antibody tests so far, the largest sample in the nation, the governor said. Of those tested in the state, 12.3 percent were positive for antibodies, which are seen as evidence that a person had been infected with the coronavirus.As part of its efforts to more closely control the virus, New York has conducted more than 15,000 antibody tests so far, the largest sample in the nation, the governor said. Of those tested in the state, 12.3 percent were positive for antibodies, which are seen as evidence that a person had been infected with the coronavirus.
In New York City, there was a significantly higher rate of positive tests in the Bronx, where 27.6 percent of tests were positive. No other borough had a rate higher than 20 percent.In New York City, there was a significantly higher rate of positive tests in the Bronx, where 27.6 percent of tests were positive. No other borough had a rate higher than 20 percent.
Other antibody test findings include:Other antibody test findings include:
About 13.1 percent of men and 11.5 percent of women tested positive for antibodies.About 13.1 percent of men and 11.5 percent of women tested positive for antibodies.
In New York City, 20 percent antibody tests were positive. After the Bronx, Brooklyn and Staten Island were in a virtual tie at 19.2 percent, followed by Queens, at 18.4 percent, and Manhattan, at 17.3 percent.In New York City, 20 percent antibody tests were positive. After the Bronx, Brooklyn and Staten Island were in a virtual tie at 19.2 percent, followed by Queens, at 18.4 percent, and Manhattan, at 17.3 percent.
Hispanic people tested positive at a higher rate than any other ethnic group, 25.4 percent, followed by blacks 17.4 percent. People declaring more than one racial heritage tested positive at 14.4 percent, Asians at 11.1 percent and whites at 7 percent.Hispanic people tested positive at a higher rate than any other ethnic group, 25.4 percent, followed by blacks 17.4 percent. People declaring more than one racial heritage tested positive at 14.4 percent, Asians at 11.1 percent and whites at 7 percent.
Still, the governor reported signs that the overall number of infections in the state was continuing to slow. The number of new hospitalizations, the most consistent method to measure the rate of infection in New York, decreased to 831 after hovering in the 900s in the last week.Still, the governor reported signs that the overall number of infections in the state was continuing to slow. The number of new hospitalizations, the most consistent method to measure the rate of infection in New York, decreased to 831 after hovering in the 900s in the last week.
“We are trying to understand why that is,” he said. “Who are those 900?”“We are trying to understand why that is,” he said. “Who are those 900?”
A total of 10,350 people remained hospitalized as of Saturday, 8,475 fewer when compared to the outbreak’s peak.
Mr. Cuomo sat next to M.T.A officials at the transportation hub and reiterated his plan to rid the nation’s largest transportation system of the highly contagious virus.Mr. Cuomo sat next to M.T.A officials at the transportation hub and reiterated his plan to rid the nation’s largest transportation system of the highly contagious virus.
Earlier this week Mr. Cuomo announced that, beginning Wednesday, the city’s subway system, long renowned for its around-the-clock service, would begin shutting down daily from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m., to allow time for exhaustive cleaning and disinfecting.Earlier this week Mr. Cuomo announced that, beginning Wednesday, the city’s subway system, long renowned for its around-the-clock service, would begin shutting down daily from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m., to allow time for exhaustive cleaning and disinfecting.
The move was also intended to discourage homeless people from seeking refuge in the otherwise vacant cars. Their presence in the transit system during the crisis — compounded by their limited access to bathing and medical facilities — has become a health hazard for commuters who fear contagion, officials said.The move was also intended to discourage homeless people from seeking refuge in the otherwise vacant cars. Their presence in the transit system during the crisis — compounded by their limited access to bathing and medical facilities — has become a health hazard for commuters who fear contagion, officials said.
“You do not help the homeless by letting them stay in the subway car and letting them sleep in a subway car in the middle of the pandemic when they can expose themselves and others,” Mr. Cuomo said. “We owe them more and we owe them better.”“You do not help the homeless by letting them stay in the subway car and letting them sleep in a subway car in the middle of the pandemic when they can expose themselves and others,” Mr. Cuomo said. “We owe them more and we owe them better.”
On the first day of May, with 70-degree temperatures expected on Saturday, Mayor de Blasio pleaded with New Yorkers on Friday to resist the impulse to gather outdoors and warned of the dangers still presented by the coronavirus.On the first day of May, with 70-degree temperatures expected on Saturday, Mayor de Blasio pleaded with New Yorkers on Friday to resist the impulse to gather outdoors and warned of the dangers still presented by the coronavirus.
His warnings came as other states across the country had already begun to reopen.His warnings came as other states across the country had already begun to reopen.
“The nice weather is very much a threat to us,” Mr. de Blasio said on WNYC radio.“The nice weather is very much a threat to us,” Mr. de Blasio said on WNYC radio.
The mayor also announced that seven miles of streets inside and near city parks will close to vehicle traffic on Saturday — the first installment in a planned 40 miles of closings to give New Yorkers places to play and walk, with playgrounds across the city closed.The mayor also announced that seven miles of streets inside and near city parks will close to vehicle traffic on Saturday — the first installment in a planned 40 miles of closings to give New Yorkers places to play and walk, with playgrounds across the city closed.
The closures were originally scheduled for Monday, but on Friday night, Mr. de Blasio said on Twitter that city agencies and the Police Department would start the program early.The closures were originally scheduled for Monday, but on Friday night, Mr. de Blasio said on Twitter that city agencies and the Police Department would start the program early.
The streets outside parks include ones near Williamsbridge Oval in the Bronx, Prospect Park in Brooklyn, and Carl Schurz Park in Manhattan. The ones inside parks include Fort Tryon Park in Manhattan, Flushing Meadows Park in Queens, and Silver Lake Park on Staten Island.The streets outside parks include ones near Williamsbridge Oval in the Bronx, Prospect Park in Brooklyn, and Carl Schurz Park in Manhattan. The ones inside parks include Fort Tryon Park in Manhattan, Flushing Meadows Park in Queens, and Silver Lake Park on Staten Island.
The New York Police Department also said it would deploy more than 1,000 officers across the city over the weekend to ensure that people were properly social distancing.The New York Police Department also said it would deploy more than 1,000 officers across the city over the weekend to ensure that people were properly social distancing.
The mayor cited figures showing the city’s progress against the virus during the month of April. Daily hospital admissions for suspected virus cases are down more than 80 percent. The percentage of those tested for the virus testing positive is down to 23 percent, from 71 percent.
But he also said that 202 people in the city had died of the virus yesterday, and more than 2,600 new cases were confirmed.
Just after 10:30 p.m. on Wednesday, a transit worker got on a No. 2 train at the last stop in the Bronx and leaned in close to a man slumped in a seat. He was wearing a large hooded jacket and had a dark scarf wrapped around his mouth.Just after 10:30 p.m. on Wednesday, a transit worker got on a No. 2 train at the last stop in the Bronx and leaned in close to a man slumped in a seat. He was wearing a large hooded jacket and had a dark scarf wrapped around his mouth.
“Wake up!” the woman shouted.“Wake up!” the woman shouted.
The man didn’t flinch. It took another worker rapping the railing with a metal tool to get him to stand up.The man didn’t flinch. It took another worker rapping the railing with a metal tool to get him to stand up.
The man, who gave his name only as Victor C., said in an interview on the platform that staying on the train was a point of pride: “People not wanting to burden their family, not wanting to count on the government.”The man, who gave his name only as Victor C., said in an interview on the platform that staying on the train was a point of pride: “People not wanting to burden their family, not wanting to count on the government.”
Generations of homeless people have used New York City’s subway as protection against the elements and a place to unsoundly sleep.Generations of homeless people have used New York City’s subway as protection against the elements and a place to unsoundly sleep.
But with little access to showers or medical care, they have become a health hazard during the coronavirus pandemic. And with ridership down 92 percent, images of them splayed across otherwise empty cars have become searing symbols of the city’s precarious condition.But with little access to showers or medical care, they have become a health hazard during the coronavirus pandemic. And with ridership down 92 percent, images of them splayed across otherwise empty cars have become searing symbols of the city’s precarious condition.
So on Thursday, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, Mayor Bill de Blasio and transit officials reached a consensus: Putting the city on track to eventual reopening, and restoring public confidence in public transportation, required an extraordinary step.So on Thursday, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, Mayor Bill de Blasio and transit officials reached a consensus: Putting the city on track to eventual reopening, and restoring public confidence in public transportation, required an extraordinary step.
Beginning on Wednesday, a subway system famous for never shutting down will close each night during the pandemic from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m., allowing time for intensive cleaning and disinfecting while also eliminating the overnight refuge that some homeless people depend on.Beginning on Wednesday, a subway system famous for never shutting down will close each night during the pandemic from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m., allowing time for intensive cleaning and disinfecting while also eliminating the overnight refuge that some homeless people depend on.
Mr. Cuomo and Mr. de Blasio said they would work to help them get shelter.Mr. Cuomo and Mr. de Blasio said they would work to help them get shelter.
“It’s an unacceptable reality and this new plan will disrupt that unacceptable reality and allow us to actually get help to people more effectively,” Mr. de Blasio said.“It’s an unacceptable reality and this new plan will disrupt that unacceptable reality and allow us to actually get help to people more effectively,” Mr. de Blasio said.
New Yorkers starved for the atmosphere of their favorite local bar now have a substitute of sorts: an online gathering spot called Virtual Cheers that opened last week.New Yorkers starved for the atmosphere of their favorite local bar now have a substitute of sorts: an online gathering spot called Virtual Cheers that opened last week.
Users can download the background of their chosen bar — over 50 have now registered with Virtual Cheers, including Dante in Greenwich Village and Death & Co in the East Village — and invite friends to join them.Users can download the background of their chosen bar — over 50 have now registered with Virtual Cheers, including Dante in Greenwich Village and Death & Co in the East Village — and invite friends to join them.
The backgrounds also contain links to GoFundMe pages, so people can donate money to employee relief funds during their virtual gatherings. Suggested donations are listed as “rounds.”The backgrounds also contain links to GoFundMe pages, so people can donate money to employee relief funds during their virtual gatherings. Suggested donations are listed as “rounds.”
At Teddy’s Bar and Grill in Williamsburg, it’s suggested to spend $24 for two virtual martinis. At Sweet Polly in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn, $12 will get you a virtual Fro-Quito, a frozen drink with coconut, nutmeg, and cinnamon.At Teddy’s Bar and Grill in Williamsburg, it’s suggested to spend $24 for two virtual martinis. At Sweet Polly in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn, $12 will get you a virtual Fro-Quito, a frozen drink with coconut, nutmeg, and cinnamon.
Supplying actual drinks is up to the user.Supplying actual drinks is up to the user.
Virtual Cheers was created by an ad agency based in Williamsburg, RXM Creative, that had been hosting weekly happy hours on Zoom where they used photos of local bars as their background.Virtual Cheers was created by an ad agency based in Williamsburg, RXM Creative, that had been hosting weekly happy hours on Zoom where they used photos of local bars as their background.
“We love these bars and miss the atmosphere, and this is the closest thing to having them back,” said Mihai Botarel, the agency’s co-founder.“We love these bars and miss the atmosphere, and this is the closest thing to having them back,” said Mihai Botarel, the agency’s co-founder.
Michael Shain, Director of Operations for Death & Co, said Virtual Cheers was helping him stay connected with his customers. It has also raised some money for the bar’s relief fund, though he did not say how much.Michael Shain, Director of Operations for Death & Co, said Virtual Cheers was helping him stay connected with his customers. It has also raised some money for the bar’s relief fund, though he did not say how much.
Barron Hanson, co-founder of another ad agency, called Convicts, recently hosted a virtual staff happy hour at Flower Shop on the Lower East Side, where his team would meet before the shutdown.Barron Hanson, co-founder of another ad agency, called Convicts, recently hosted a virtual staff happy hour at Flower Shop on the Lower East Side, where his team would meet before the shutdown.
“This certainly wasn’t the real thing,” he said, “but there was a feeling, a placeholder of hope.”“This certainly wasn’t the real thing,” he said, “but there was a feeling, a placeholder of hope.”
In an effort to ease the pressure on overwhelmed crematories downstate, the New York State Cemetery Board on Saturday approved new emergency regulations that allow funeral directors to more easily transfer bodies awaiting cremation in the city to upstate crematories with more availability.In an effort to ease the pressure on overwhelmed crematories downstate, the New York State Cemetery Board on Saturday approved new emergency regulations that allow funeral directors to more easily transfer bodies awaiting cremation in the city to upstate crematories with more availability.
The surge in coronavirus deaths (more than 23,000 announced fatalities in the state, and the majority in New York City) has caused a backlog in downstate crematories and cemeteries operating, as well as storage issues for funeral homes and hospitals overwhelmed with bodies. Even running at double their normal capacity, New York City’s four crematories this week were not accepting new appointments until well into May.The surge in coronavirus deaths (more than 23,000 announced fatalities in the state, and the majority in New York City) has caused a backlog in downstate crematories and cemeteries operating, as well as storage issues for funeral homes and hospitals overwhelmed with bodies. Even running at double their normal capacity, New York City’s four crematories this week were not accepting new appointments until well into May.
In New York, a body could only be cremated if the next of kin had signed an authorization form, including the name and the address of the crematory. This form must also be signed by a funeral director acting as a witness.In New York, a body could only be cremated if the next of kin had signed an authorization form, including the name and the address of the crematory. This form must also be signed by a funeral director acting as a witness.
Although upstate crematories have the capacity to cremate bodies in a timely manner, the rules required a new signature from the next of kin, as well as a new form including the address and name of the crematory, to send a body to a different facility.Although upstate crematories have the capacity to cremate bodies in a timely manner, the rules required a new signature from the next of kin, as well as a new form including the address and name of the crematory, to send a body to a different facility.
To expedite this, the cemetery board voted to allow funeral directors or individuals authorized to deliver the remains on behalf of funeral directors to manually correct cremation authorization forms with the consent of the family of the deceased. The new regulations are effective immediately.To expedite this, the cemetery board voted to allow funeral directors or individuals authorized to deliver the remains on behalf of funeral directors to manually correct cremation authorization forms with the consent of the family of the deceased. The new regulations are effective immediately.
The new regulations should help ease the pressure on crematories like the one at Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn, which handled 130 cases during a recent week, more than double of its typical load.The new regulations should help ease the pressure on crematories like the one at Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn, which handled 130 cases during a recent week, more than double of its typical load.
“The chambers need a break,” said Richard Moylan, the cemetery’s president, “but as fast as we cremate people, they keep coming in.”“The chambers need a break,” said Richard Moylan, the cemetery’s president, “but as fast as we cremate people, they keep coming in.”
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’s happening in the region’s hospitals and other health care centers.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’s happening in the region’s hospitals and other health care centers.
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 Michael Gold, Andy Newman, Andrea Salcedo, Edgar Sandoval, Nate Schweber, Matt Stevens and Nikita Stewart. Reporting was contributed by Maria Cramer, Michael Gold, Andy Newman, Andrea Salcedo, Edgar Sandoval, Nate Schweber, Matt Stevens and Nikita Stewart.