Hope for New York as Gov Cuomo says the number of hospitalizations is down – but 758 more people die in a day after state’s worst week in pandemic deaths
- At the end of the day Saturday, there were 18,707 people hospitalized with the virus in the state; that was up only 73 since the previous day
- But Gov. Andrew Cuomo also announced Sunday that 758 people died Saturday
- That’s the sixth day in a row that the toll in New York has topped 700
- In all, 5,226 people were killed by the virus in the week that ended Saturday
- That’s raised the total number of deaths in the state to 9,385
Governor Andrew Cuomo said Sunday the number of hospitalizations in New York state is down, but also confirmed 758 more people had died in just 24 hours.
At the end of the day Saturday, there were 18,707 people hospitalized with the virus in the state. That was up only 73 since the previous day.
Cuomo announced Sunday that 758 people died Saturday, the sixth day in a row that the toll topped 700.
He noted: ‘There has been a flattening of the numbers, no great decline but a flattening. It has been flattening but flattening at a terribly high level.’
New York is wrapping up its worst week in deaths so far of the coronavirus outbreak. In all, 5,226 people were killed by the virus in the week that ended Saturday.
As of Sunday morning there were 9,385 deaths from COVID-19 across the Empire State.
In New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said: ‘Even as recently as a week ago, we were seeing in our hospitals, people coming in and needing to be intubated more every single day, more and more people in need of those ventilators, more and more people would not live without them.
‘A week ago, it was 200 to 300 more people each day coming in, every day, 200 or 300 more than the day before. We thought that was even going to go up more.
‘Today, I can tell you that number has gone down again – 70 more people per day now is what we’re seeing on average. It’s still 70 more people each day, but it’s a lot fewer than what we feared.’
Gov. Andrew Cuomo, pictured, announced Sunday that 758 people died Saturday, the sixth day in a row that the toll topped 700. At the end of the day Saturday, there were 18,707 people hospitalized with the virus in the state. That was up only 73 since the previous day
New York is wrapping up its worst week in deaths so far of the coronavirus outbreak
In all, 5,226 people were killed by the virus in the week that ended Saturday.
Cuomo referenced the ‘Groundhog Day’ millions of New Yorkers are facing each day as they repeat staying in to safe lives.
He took time to criticize the federal response to the pandemic in New York, noting the money per case given to the state.
Cuomo also said an executive order would be signed Sunday to mandate those deemed as essential businesses to provide worker with face masks or coverings.
It comes as New York City Mayor Bill De Blasio is doubling down on his plan to close schools in the nation’s largest district, despite confusion over his authority to do so.
De Blasio announced Saturday that the public school sites in the city’s 1.1 million-student school district would close for the rest of the academic year to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
‘We were quite certain it was the right thing to do,’ de Blasio said Sunday when asked about the conflict.
Cuomo noted: ‘There has been a flattening of the numbers, no great decline but a flattening. It has been flattening but flattening at a terribly high level’
The bad news has been that large numbers of people are still dying every day, Cuomo said
De Blasio said his goal to reopen school sites by September, adding that high school graduates may have to go without a commencement ceremony.
But Cuomo said school closings would have to be coordinated with districts surrounding the city.
He said: ‘All the schools are closed and they will remain closed until it is safe. It has to work in a coordinated plan with businesses.
‘I am not prepared to say what we will be doing in June. No one knows what will be doing in June. Whatever plan we come up with will be driven by data and science.
Responding to calls to close the schools for the rest of the academic year Cuomo added: ‘You’re effectively saying businesses are closed. You cant restart economy without reopening schools.
‘June is a long way from now. We go day to day and I wouldn’t assume anything. Is anyone prepared to say businesses wont be open until June. I don’t think anybody can make an informed decision like that now.’
