New York state coronavirus death toll soars to 519

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo revealed on Friday that the state’s coronavirus death toll was now 519, an increase of 134 in just one day, as he gave a rallying call to action to National Guard to ‘kick coronavirus a*s’ from a new, 1,000-bed field hospital at the Javits Center. 

There are now more than 44,000 cases of infection in the state of New York including 25,398 in New York City alone. That marks an increase of 7,000 cases in a single day. 

Currently, 6,481 people are hospitalized and 1,583 people are in ICU beds. 

Cuomo anticipates that he will need 140,000 beds in total when the pandemic peak hits. He also needs 30,000 ventilators but only has 8,000.  

In New York City, 365 people have died from the virus. Another 154 people across the state have also been killed by it. 

On Friday, Gov. Cuomo announced he was keeping all schools across the state closed for another two weeks, until April 15, to try to stop the virus spreading. 

He spoke at a press conference at the Javits Center, one of the field hospitals where 1,000 beds will be placed, and addressed a crowd of National Guard troops. 

 

Gov. Cuomo gave a rallying call to action to National Guard troops on Friday at the Javits Center in New York City where he said there had been another 134 deaths overnight in the state of New York . In the background, hospital beds that have been set up to take in patients 

The troops were distanced to avoid spreading the disease. Cuomo praised them for their work so far and urged them to keep going

The troops were distanced to avoid spreading the disease. Cuomo praised them for their work so far and urged them to keep going 

He also revealed his multi-stage plan to keep the city from being overwhelmed.

Over the next three weeks, multiple field hospitals are to be built as they are needed to help ease the strain on the city’s health system.

He has another three in his sights that will be built at the campuses of CUNY Stony Brook, CUNY Westchester, SUNY Old Westbury. 

Those three and the Javits Center provide 4,000 additional beds. 

Cuomo wants to build another four sites, which will add another 4,000 beds. He wants to put one in each borough of New York City – Manhattan, the Bronx, Staten Island, Queens and Brooklyn – and one in Nassau County, Suffolk County and Westchester beyond the city. 

A potential field hospital is the Marriott Hotel Brooklyn Bridge as is the Brooklyn Center.  

The USNS Comfort, a Navy ship with 1,000 beds, is also on its way to New York City where it will dock on Monday, bringing 1,200 medical personnel with it, 

The latest New York figures came as; 

  • Mayor Bill de Blasio warned NYC could be under lockdown until the end of May 
  • A new study by the University of Washington Medical School predicted 81,000 may die before the pandemic ends and the country could stay on lockdown until June 
  • The Surgeon General warned that some states will be battling the virus in September and that it will travel through the country 
  • The US remained the country with the highest number of infections in the world with more than 90,000 
  • New Orleans emerged as the potential next ‘epicenter’   

Of the spike in deaths, he said: ‘We’re seeing a significant increase in deaths because the length of time people are on the ventilator is increasing. We expect that to continue to increase. 

 ‘This is a different beast, an invisible beast, an insidious beast. This is not going to be a short deployment

Cuomo to National Guard troops  

‘It’s bad news, it’s tragic news, the worst news. But it’s not unexpected news,’ he said. 

They will go up in college campuses, hotels and exposition centers. Cuomo needs the president to sign off on the plan for him to be able to put it into action. 

In a rallying speech to the National Guard troops who will build the sites, he said on Friday: ‘This is a different beast, an invisible beast, an insidious beast. 

‘This is not going to be a short deployment where you go out for a few days work out and go home. 

‘You are living a moment in history. This is one of those moments that they’re going to write about, talk about, this is a moment that forges character, forges people, changes people, make them stronger, weaker, this is a moment that will change character. 

‘In 10 years from now you’ll be talking about today to your children from grandchildren and you will shed a tear because you will remember the lives lost and faces and names and you’ll remember how hard we worked and that we still lost loved ones. 

‘You will shed a tear and you should because it’s sad but you will also be proud.

‘That you showed up – when other people played it safe, you had the courage to show up and you had the skill and professionalism to make a difference and save lives. 

The number of deaths in New York State every day continues to rise. There were 134 overnight

The number of deaths in New York State every day continues to rise. There were 134 overnight 

There are now more than 92,000 cases of the virus in the US - an astronomical growth over the last two months

There are now more than 92,000 cases of the virus in the US – an astronomical growth over the last two months 

In New York City alone, there have been 365 deaths and there are 25,398

In New York City alone, there have been 365 deaths and there are 25,398 

US Army and Javit Center personnel listen to Cuomo's rousing speech on Friday

US Army and Javit Center personnel listen to Cuomo’s rousing speech on Friday 

Cuomo told the troops gathered: 'This will not be a short deployment' as he warned them of the many weeks of work ahead

Cuomo told the troops gathered: ‘This will not be a short deployment’ as he warned them of the many weeks of work ahead

The National Guard will be used to help build the field hospitals around the state of New York

The National Guard will be used to help build the field hospitals around the state of New York 

‘At the end of the day, nobody can ask any more of you. That is your duty. To do what you can when you can, you will have shown skill and talent. You’ll be there with your mind and with your heart.

CUOMO TO TRUMP – DEAL IN FACTS NOT OPINIONS  

Cuomo shot back at President Trump, who last night suggested he was exaggerating with his demand for 30,000 ventilators, saying that is what the data is projecting. 

‘I don’t have a crystal ball, everybody is entitled to an opinion, but I don’t operate here on opinion. I operate on facts and data and numbers and projections… all of them say you could have an apex needing about 40,000 ventilators.

‘Those are numbers, not “I feel, I think, I believe, I want to believe.”

‘Make the decisions based on the data and the science – we’re following the data and the science and that’s what it says. I hope we don’t need 30,000 ventilators. 

‘I hope some natural weather change happens overnight and kills the virus globally. 

‘That’s what I hope. But that’s my emotion – the numbers say you may need 30,000 ventilators,’ he said.   

‘You’ll serve with honor and that will give you pride. I know that I am proud of you. Every time the national guard as been called out, they make every New Yorker proud. 

‘I say we go out there today and we kick coronavirus a*s,’ he said. 

At the start of the press conference, where he gave the national guard troops seats directly in front of him, he said: ‘We are battling a deadly virus. Is there an intrusion on life? Yes. Is there an intrusion on the economy? 

‘Yes. But what’s on the other side of the scale is literally saving lives and that is not rhetorical. That’s fact,’ he said.  

Cuomo also expressed gratitude for the 62,000 healthcare workers who have volunteered since the pandemic began. 

He said of the city: ‘New Yorkers never cease to amaze me. Sure, we’re tough. 

‘To live in a place like this you have to be tough. But as tough as we are, as loving as we are. 

‘When someone needs something, there’s no place I’d rather be than New York.’ 

He also shot back at President Trump, who last night suggested he was exaggerating with his demand for 30,000 ventilators, saying that is what the data is projecting. 

‘I don’t have a crystal ball, everybody is entitled to an opinion, but I don’t operate here on opinion. I operate on facts and data and numbers and projections… all of them say you could have an apex needing about 40,000 ventilators.

‘Those are numbers, not “I feel, I think, I believe, I want to believe.”

‘Make the decisions based on the data and the science – we’re following the data and the science and that’s what it says. I hope we don’t need 30,000 ventilators. 

‘I hope some natural weather change happens overnight and kills the virus globally. 

‘That’s what I hope. But that’s my emotion – the numbers say you may need 30,000 ventilators,’ he said.

Coronavirus could kill 81,000 people in the US over the next four months even if social distancing lockdowns WORK – and the worst of outbreak may not subside until June, analysis finds

The coronavirus pandemic could kill more than 81,000 Americans over the next four months and may not subside until June, a new analysis suggests.

Researchers from the University of Washington School of Medicine predict that the number of US deaths could vary widely, ranging from as low as around 38,000 to as high as around 162,000.

The number of hospitalized patients is expected to peak nationally by the second week of April, though the peak may come later in some states.

The latest data shows how the US has overtaken Italy with the number of new cases per day since March 19

The latest data shows how the US has overtaken Italy with the number of new cases per day since March 19 

Some people could continue to die of the virus as late as July, although deaths should be below epidemic levels of 10 per day by June at the latest, according to the analysis.

However, the team says that this is only if people follow local and federal guidelines and stay indoors.

For the analysis, the team analyzed data from the local and federal government, hospital and other sources.

Dr Christopher Murray, director of the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington, said the variance in deaths is due in part to disparate rates of the spread of the virus in different regions.

For example, the virus had spread quite rapidly in New York City but has been slow in several Midwest and Mountain states.

The duration of the virus means there may be a need for social distancing measures for longer than initially expected, Dr Murray, who led the study said.

However, he added that the country may eventually be able relax restrictions if it can more effectively test and quarantine the sick.

The analysis also highlights the strain that will be placed on hospitals.

At the epidemic’s peak, sick patients could exceed the number of available hospital beds by 64,000 and could require the use of around 20,000 ventilators.

Ventilators are already running short in hard-hit places like New York City. Governor Andrew Cuomo has said that New York State needs 30,000.

The virus is spreading more slowly in California, which could mean that peak cases there will come later in April and social distancing measures will need to be extended in the state for longer, Murray said.

Louisiana and Georgia are predicted to see high rates of contagion and could see a particularly high burden on their local healthcare systems, he added.

 

 

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