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64 Children in N.Y. Have Had Illness Possibly Tied to Virus 64 Children in N.Y. Have Had Illness Possibly Tied to Virus
(8 days later)
[This briefing has ended. For the latest updates on the coronavirus outbreak in the New York area, read Thursday’s live coverage.][This briefing has ended. For the latest updates on the coronavirus outbreak in the New York area, read Thursday’s live coverage.]
Sixty-four children in New York State have been hospitalized with a mysterious illness that doctors do not yet fully understand but that may be linked to Covid-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, officials said on Wednesday.Sixty-four children in New York State have been hospitalized with a mysterious illness that doctors do not yet fully understand but that may be linked to Covid-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, officials said on Wednesday.
In an advisory to health care providers, state health officials said that most of the children who were thought to have what has been labeled “pediatric multisystem inflammatory syndrome” had tested positive for the virus or for antibodies to it.In an advisory to health care providers, state health officials said that most of the children who were thought to have what has been labeled “pediatric multisystem inflammatory syndrome” had tested positive for the virus or for antibodies to it.
The new tally from state officials came two days after New York City health officials said that 15 children in the city had been hospitalized with the syndrome and that many of them had been infected with the virus.The new tally from state officials came two days after New York City health officials said that 15 children in the city had been hospitalized with the syndrome and that many of them had been infected with the virus.
The symptoms of the mystery ailment, state health officials noted, “overlap” with those associated with toxic shock syndrome and Kawasaki disease, a rare illness in children that involves inflammation of the blood vessels, including coronary arteries. Fever, abdominal symptoms and rash may also be present, officials wrote.The symptoms of the mystery ailment, state health officials noted, “overlap” with those associated with toxic shock syndrome and Kawasaki disease, a rare illness in children that involves inflammation of the blood vessels, including coronary arteries. Fever, abdominal symptoms and rash may also be present, officials wrote.
Since the coronavirus pandemic began, most infected children have not developed serious respiratory failure of the kind that has afflicted adults. But in recent weeks, the unusual new syndrome has cropped up among children in and around New York City and elsewhere in the United States, a sign that children may face a greater risk from the virus than anticipated.Since the coronavirus pandemic began, most infected children have not developed serious respiratory failure of the kind that has afflicted adults. But in recent weeks, the unusual new syndrome has cropped up among children in and around New York City and elsewhere in the United States, a sign that children may face a greater risk from the virus than anticipated.
The number of children in the United States showing signs of the syndrome, which was first was detected in Europe last month, remains small. None are known to have died, and many have responded well to treatment.The number of children in the United States showing signs of the syndrome, which was first was detected in Europe last month, remains small. None are known to have died, and many have responded well to treatment.
New York State has been shut down for six weeks. Social distancing has become the norm. Face masks are everywhere.New York State has been shut down for six weeks. Social distancing has become the norm. Face masks are everywhere.
And yet more than 20,000 people a week in the state are still testing positive for the coronavirus. In the past week, more than 5,000 virus patients entered hospitals. Who are they?And yet more than 20,000 people a week in the state are still testing positive for the coronavirus. In the past week, more than 5,000 virus patients entered hospitals. Who are they?
Officials have surveyed hospitals to find out, and Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said that he was surprised by the results he was reporting on Wednesday.Officials have surveyed hospitals to find out, and Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said that he was surprised by the results he was reporting on Wednesday.
More than four in five patients were retired or unemployed. Only 17 percent were working.More than four in five patients were retired or unemployed. Only 17 percent were working.
“We were thinking that maybe we were going to find a higher percentage of essential employees who were getting sick because they were going to work, that these may be nurses, doctors, transit workers,” Mr. Cuomo said. “That’s not the case.”“We were thinking that maybe we were going to find a higher percentage of essential employees who were getting sick because they were going to work, that these may be nurses, doctors, transit workers,” Mr. Cuomo said. “That’s not the case.”
Virus patients entering hospitals were primarily older: Nearly three in five were over 60, and around one in five entered the hospital from a nursing home or an assisted living facility, the survey found.Virus patients entering hospitals were primarily older: Nearly three in five were over 60, and around one in five entered the hospital from a nursing home or an assisted living facility, the survey found.
Other results of the three-day survey, which included 113 New York hospitals that had admitted a total of nearly 1,300 patients:Other results of the three-day survey, which included 113 New York hospitals that had admitted a total of nearly 1,300 patients:
57 percent of hospitalized people were from New York City.57 percent of hospitalized people were from New York City.
In the city, 45 percent of hospitalized patients were African-American or Latino.In the city, 45 percent of hospitalized patients were African-American or Latino.
Only 3 percent in New York City had been using public transportation.Only 3 percent in New York City had been using public transportation.
96 percent had other underlying health conditions.96 percent had other underlying health conditions.
37 percent were retired, and 46 percent were unemployed.37 percent were retired, and 46 percent were unemployed.
“That says they’re not working, they’re not traveling, they’re predominantly downstate, predominantly minority, predominantly older,” Mr. Cuomo said.“That says they’re not working, they’re not traveling, they’re predominantly downstate, predominantly minority, predominantly older,” Mr. Cuomo said.
Mr. Cuomo reported on Wednesday that the virus had killed another 232 New Yorkers, the third straight day that the one-day death toll had hovered around 230.Mr. Cuomo reported on Wednesday that the virus had killed another 232 New Yorkers, the third straight day that the one-day death toll had hovered around 230.
The governor also announced that Eric Schmidt, a former chief executive of Google, would lead a commission to reimagine how New York delivers public services once the virus has been brought under control.The governor also announced that Eric Schmidt, a former chief executive of Google, would lead a commission to reimagine how New York delivers public services once the virus has been brought under control.
Gov. Ned Lamont of Connecticut introduced recommendations on Wednesday for reopening colleges and universities in the state by fall if certain public health measures are in place and the coronavirus outbreak has diminished.Gov. Ned Lamont of Connecticut introduced recommendations on Wednesday for reopening colleges and universities in the state by fall if certain public health measures are in place and the coronavirus outbreak has diminished.
The recommendations were included in detailed report that generally calls for a gradual reopening of higher education campuses over the summer, although each would have final say about how it proceeds.The recommendations were included in detailed report that generally calls for a gradual reopening of higher education campuses over the summer, although each would have final say about how it proceeds.
Under the proposed timeline, research programs could reopen as early as May 20, when the state plans to restart some sectors of the economy. By June, community colleges could open their doors, followed by graduate and other programs that do not involve residential students. Finally, on Sept. 1, colleges and universities could begin housing undergraduates on campus.Under the proposed timeline, research programs could reopen as early as May 20, when the state plans to restart some sectors of the economy. By June, community colleges could open their doors, followed by graduate and other programs that do not involve residential students. Finally, on Sept. 1, colleges and universities could begin housing undergraduates on campus.
“Our colleges and universities are the springboard for so many to launch their careers, and they are an economic engine of the state,” Mr. Lamont said in a statement. “One size won’t fit all, which is why we need carefully tailored guidelines for differing parts of this sector.”“Our colleges and universities are the springboard for so many to launch their careers, and they are an economic engine of the state,” Mr. Lamont said in a statement. “One size won’t fit all, which is why we need carefully tailored guidelines for differing parts of this sector.”
To reopen, colleges and universities must be able to test for the virus and perform contact tracing and they must also detail for state officials how they plan to monitor the virus, contain its spread and shut down if necessary.To reopen, colleges and universities must be able to test for the virus and perform contact tracing and they must also detail for state officials how they plan to monitor the virus, contain its spread and shut down if necessary.
Some colleges and universities in the United States have said they plan to be open in the fall, but neither Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo of New York nor Gov. Philip D. Murphy of New Jersey have indicated that they expect campuses in those states to be open then.Some colleges and universities in the United States have said they plan to be open in the fall, but neither Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo of New York nor Gov. Philip D. Murphy of New Jersey have indicated that they expect campuses in those states to be open then.
Gov. Philip D. Murphy said on Wednesday that he was extending New Jersey’s public health emergency order for 30 days.Gov. Philip D. Murphy said on Wednesday that he was extending New Jersey’s public health emergency order for 30 days.
“We’re seeing good signs without question,” Mr. Murphy said at his daily briefing. “But we cannot lull ourselves into thinking that all is well.”“We’re seeing good signs without question,” Mr. Murphy said at his daily briefing. “But we cannot lull ourselves into thinking that all is well.”
The governor said that the virus had killed another 308 people in New Jersey, bringing to 8,549 the number of virus-related deaths in the state.The governor said that the virus had killed another 308 people in New Jersey, bringing to 8,549 the number of virus-related deaths in the state.
State health officials have said that the number of deaths reported on any given day may include some that are weeks old and have only recently been linked to the virus.State health officials have said that the number of deaths reported on any given day may include some that are weeks old and have only recently been linked to the virus.
There were 1,513 new virus cases reported in the state, bringing the total to 131,890. The number of new cases has risen slightly in recent days, although it is still well below its one-day peak of 4,391 in mid-April.There were 1,513 new virus cases reported in the state, bringing the total to 131,890. The number of new cases has risen slightly in recent days, although it is still well below its one-day peak of 4,391 in mid-April.
But the number of new cases in nursing and other long-term homes in New Jersey keeps rising steadily. More than 23,340 people have been infected in nursing homes in the state, and 4,261 have dead, almost exactly half of the total number of deaths.But the number of new cases in nursing and other long-term homes in New Jersey keeps rising steadily. More than 23,340 people have been infected in nursing homes in the state, and 4,261 have dead, almost exactly half of the total number of deaths.
New Jersey’s attorney general opened an investigation last month into how nursing homes have responded to the pandemic.New Jersey’s attorney general opened an investigation last month into how nursing homes have responded to the pandemic.
Updated July 27, 2020 Updated August 4, 2020
Facing severe financial losses as a result of the pandemic, the American Museum of Natural History announced on Wednesday that it would cut its full-time staff by about 200 people, amounting to dozens of layoffs. Officials said they would put about 250 other full-time employees on indefinite furlough.Facing severe financial losses as a result of the pandemic, the American Museum of Natural History announced on Wednesday that it would cut its full-time staff by about 200 people, amounting to dozens of layoffs. Officials said they would put about 250 other full-time employees on indefinite furlough.
The staff of roughly 1,100 employees will be reduced by about 20 percent, according to a statement from the museum. That figure includes 68 layoffs, 70 voluntary retirements and others whose contracts are expiring.The staff of roughly 1,100 employees will be reduced by about 20 percent, according to a statement from the museum. That figure includes 68 layoffs, 70 voluntary retirements and others whose contracts are expiring.
The museum projects a budget deficit of $80 million to $120 million for the remainder of this fiscal year, which ends June 30, and the next fiscal year. The furloughed employees will retain their health insurance, Anne Canty, a museum spokeswoman, said.The museum projects a budget deficit of $80 million to $120 million for the remainder of this fiscal year, which ends June 30, and the next fiscal year. The furloughed employees will retain their health insurance, Anne Canty, a museum spokeswoman, said.
“These actions are gut-wrenching,” Ellen V. Futter, the museum’s president, said in a statement, “but we are compelled to make them to protect the museum and its mission of research, science education, caring for our collections, and providing access for visitors.”“These actions are gut-wrenching,” Ellen V. Futter, the museum’s president, said in a statement, “but we are compelled to make them to protect the museum and its mission of research, science education, caring for our collections, and providing access for visitors.”
The virus crisis is a challenge for protesters, and there have been plenty of demonstrations, from groups urging states to reopen more swiftly to people angry at the political affiliation of some charity workers.The virus crisis is a challenge for protesters, and there have been plenty of demonstrations, from groups urging states to reopen more swiftly to people angry at the political affiliation of some charity workers.
The challenge is this: how to gather, and draw attention, while keeping a safe distance from one another and onlookers?The challenge is this: how to gather, and draw attention, while keeping a safe distance from one another and onlookers?
New York City police officers have broken up some protests, including one on Sunday in Manhattan, saying the demonstrators had violated social-distancing rules laid out in executive orders from the mayor and the governor.New York City police officers have broken up some protests, including one on Sunday in Manhattan, saying the demonstrators had violated social-distancing rules laid out in executive orders from the mayor and the governor.
Some civil rights lawyers said those rules were being used as an excuse to curtail free speech.Some civil rights lawyers said those rules were being used as an excuse to curtail free speech.
Similar issues have been raised over other recent protests in the United States, many of them involving demonstrators who refused to wear masks or to maintain social distancing.Similar issues have been raised over other recent protests in the United States, many of them involving demonstrators who refused to wear masks or to maintain social distancing.
New York’s police commissioner, Dermot F. Shea, defended his officers’ actions, saying they had been enforcing executive orders meant to “keep people alive.”New York’s police commissioner, Dermot F. Shea, defended his officers’ actions, saying they had been enforcing executive orders meant to “keep people alive.”
“While we greatly, greatly respect the right of people to protest, there should not be protests taking place in the middle of a pandemic by gathering outside and putting people at risk,” Commissioner Shea said on Monday.“While we greatly, greatly respect the right of people to protest, there should not be protests taking place in the middle of a pandemic by gathering outside and putting people at risk,” Commissioner Shea said on Monday.
Hospitals in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut that have been identified as hot spots in the fight against the coronavirus are getting nearly $8 billion from the federal Department of Health and Human Services.Hospitals in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut that have been identified as hot spots in the fight against the coronavirus are getting nearly $8 billion from the federal Department of Health and Human Services.
The money, part of a $12 billion “provider relief fund,” is going to hospitals around the country that had admitted at least 100 virus patients as of April 10. The 90 hospitals in New York that qualify are splitting $5.7 billion. New Jersey hospitals are getting $1.8 billion and Connecticut hospitals $330 million.The money, part of a $12 billion “provider relief fund,” is going to hospitals around the country that had admitted at least 100 virus patients as of April 10. The 90 hospitals in New York that qualify are splitting $5.7 billion. New Jersey hospitals are getting $1.8 billion and Connecticut hospitals $330 million.
The money includes over $800 million to reimburse hospitals in the region for care they provided to low-income and uninsured patients. It is intended to provide “funding to purchase equipment, hire additional staff, and procure other needed resources to care for patients during the Covid pandemic,” the department said as it announced the distribution May 1.The money includes over $800 million to reimburse hospitals in the region for care they provided to low-income and uninsured patients. It is intended to provide “funding to purchase equipment, hire additional staff, and procure other needed resources to care for patients during the Covid pandemic,” the department said as it announced the distribution May 1.
The relief fund also provides money to rural hospitals, many of which were already struggling before the outbreak. Hospitals in rural parts of New York are getting $264 million.The relief fund also provides money to rural hospitals, many of which were already struggling before the outbreak. Hospitals in rural parts of New York are getting $264 million.
The coronavirus outbreak has brought much of life in New York to a halt and there is no clear end in sight. But there are also moments that offer a sliver of strength, hope, humor or some other type of relief: a joke from a stranger on line at the supermarket; a favor from a friend down the block; a great meal ordered from a restaurant we want to survive; trivia night via Zoom with the bar down the street.The coronavirus outbreak has brought much of life in New York to a halt and there is no clear end in sight. But there are also moments that offer a sliver of strength, hope, humor or some other type of relief: a joke from a stranger on line at the supermarket; a favor from a friend down the block; a great meal ordered from a restaurant we want to survive; trivia night via Zoom with the bar down the street.
We’d like to hear about your moments, the ones that are helping you through these dark times. A reporter or editor may contact you. Your information will not be published without your consent.We’d like to hear about your moments, the ones that are helping you through these dark times. A reporter or editor may contact you. Your information will not be published without your consent.
Reporting was contributed by Jonah Engel Bromwich, Maria Cramer, Kimiko de Freytas-Tamura, Christina Goldbaum, Andy Newman, Sarah Maslin Nir, Azi Paybarah, Nate Schweber, Ed Shanahan and Matt Stevens.Reporting was contributed by Jonah Engel Bromwich, Maria Cramer, Kimiko de Freytas-Tamura, Christina Goldbaum, Andy Newman, Sarah Maslin Nir, Azi Paybarah, Nate Schweber, Ed Shanahan and Matt Stevens.