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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 death toll went up slightly after a consistent decline in the past few days. Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo arrived on Saturday to the New York City Transit’s 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.
“That number has remained obnoxiously and terrifyingly high,” Mr. Cuomo said.“That number has remained obnoxiously and terrifyingly high,” Mr. Cuomo 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. The governor on Saturday reported 299 deaths, 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, the state has conducted more than 15,000 antibody tests so far, the largest sample in the nation, the governor said. Of those tested in New York, 12.3 percent were positive for antibodies, which are seen as evidence that a person had been infected with the coronavirus.
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. The Bronx had the highest rate of positive tests by far, at 27.6 percent. 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. The Bronx had the highest rate of positive tests by far, at 27.6 percent. 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.
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.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, a low from the 18,825 admitted during the peak of the outbreak. As of Saturday, 10,350 people remained hospitalized, a low from the 18,825 admitted during the peak of the outbreak, in early April.
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 Metropolitan Transportation Authority officials at the maintenance facility 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 on Wednesday, the city’s subway system, long renowned for its round-the-clock service, would begin shutting down daily from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. to allow time for 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.”
Governor Philip D. Murphy said the number of new cases was rising in New Jersey but stressed that the uptick was in part a result of increased testing in the state. Gov. Philip D. Murphy said the number of new cases was rising in New Jersey, but stressed that the uptick was in part a result of increased testing in the state.
“We have gone from zero capability to test to having among the most robust testing of any state in America,” he said Saturday. “We have gone from zero capability to test to having among the most robust testing of any state in America,” he said on Saturday.
Mr. Murphy reported 2,912 new cases, bringing the state’s total to 123,717, still well below the peak reported on April 16, when the state reported 4,391 new cases. Mr. Murphy reported 2,912 new cases, bringing the state’s total to 123,717 still well below the peak reported on April 16, when the state reported 4,391 new cases.
The number of hospitalizations in the northern part of the state were down 41 percent from April 14, when there were 8,185 people hospitalized statewide, said Judith Persichilli, commissioner of the state’s department of health. The number of hospitalizations in the northern part of the state was down 41 percent from April 14, when there were 8,185 people hospitalized statewide, said Judith Persichilli, commissioner of the state’s Department of Health.
As of Friday night, 5,713 people hospitalized across the state because of the virus. As of Friday night, 5,713 people were hospitalized across the state because of the virus.
The decreases came as state officials began to relax some of the restrictions that had been in place since March. Parks and golf courses were reopened on Saturday morning, and Mr. Murphy said that early anecdotal reports from state police and parks officials indicate people were so far maintaining social distance. The decreases came as state officials began to relax some of the restrictions that had been in place for weeks. Parks and golf courses were reopened on Saturday morning, and Mr. Murphy said that early anecdotal reports from state police and parks officials indicated people were maintaining social distance.
“If we hear minimal reports of knucklehead behavior at our parks and we see that the metrics we need to meet are being met over the next couple of days, then we know that you have all taken to heart your responsibility,” he said.“If we hear minimal reports of knucklehead behavior at our parks and we see that the metrics we need to meet are being met over the next couple of days, then we know that you have all taken to heart your responsibility,” he said.
The number of new deaths fell to 205 on Saturday, down from a high of 460 on Thursday, the largest number of new fatalities in the state so far. The number of new deaths fell to 205 on Saturday, down from a high of 460 on Thursday.
“This has been a tough week as it relates to fatalities as we’ve had,” Mr. Murphy said. The death toll is now at 7,742. “This has been a tough week as it relates to fatalities we’ve had,” Mr. Murphy said. The death toll is now at 7,742.
State officials have said the one-day reports often include deaths that happened days or weeks previous but have been newly classified as virus-related. With 70-degree temperatures on Saturday and Sunday, Mayor de Blasio pleaded with New Yorkers 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 on Friday came as other states across the country began 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 in a radio interview on WNYC.
“The nice weather is very much a threat to us,” Mr. de Blasio said on WNYC radio. The mayor also said on Friday that seven miles of streets inside and near city parks would 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.
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.
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.
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.”
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 deathshas 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 regulations are effective immediately.
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 Kevin Armstrong, Jo Corona, Maria Cramer, Michael Gold, Andy Newman, Andrea Salcedo, Edgar Sandoval, Nate Schweber, Matt Stevens and Nikita Stewart. Reporting was contributed by Kevin Armstrong, Jo Corona, Maria Cramer, Michael Gold, Andy Newman, Andrea Salcedo, Edgar Sandoval, Nate Schweber, Matt Stevens and Nikita Stewart.