Coronavirus updates: important medical equipment ends in New York

The number of new cases of coronavirus infection in New York has risen sharply — more than four times. This happened amid an increase in the number of people tested. What is happening in New York and other states of America, told the publication The New York Times.

More tests - more infected

A few days ago, only a few hundred coronavirus tests per day were performed in New York State. From Wednesday evening, March 18, through Thursday morning, March 19, the number of people tested for the virus was 7584. This was stated by State Governor Andrew Cuomo.

The number of tests was increased, as dozens of private laboratories in the state received permission to test COVID-19. Until recently, only two state laboratories conducted most of all tests in New York.

Following an increase in the number of tests conducted, more patients were found. So, in the state of New York - over 2200 new cases. Thus, the number of cases of coronavirus in the state has more than quadrupled since Monday, March 16th. As of Thursday, March 19, over 750 people were hospitalized throughout New York State, 29 died from the virus.

State Governor Andrew Cuomo said the addition of three virus testing centers helped identify more patients. The first center opened last Friday in New Rochelle, New York. The second is Tuesday at Jones Beach State Park on Long Island, the third is Thursday at Staten Island.

The number of cases in different states

Authorities New Jersey On March 19, 318 residents were reported who received positive virus test results. So the number of confirmed cases in the state has grown to 742's. According to the latest data, nine people died.

March 19th State Governor Connecticut reported that a second death from a coronavirus was recorded here. And also that 63 cases of the disease of the virus from Wednesday, March 18, have been confirmed. The total number of cases of patients in this state has grown to 159.

В New York 3615 confirmed cases of coronavirus were previously reported (22 people died as of Thursday morning, March 19). Of these, 1030 were found in Brooklyn, 980 in Queens, 976 in Manhattan, 436 in the Bronx and 165 on Staten Island. On Tuesday afternoon, March 17th, there were 157 cases in Brooklyn.

As of Wednesday evening, March 18, more than 500 coronavirus infected were hospitalized. 169 of them, according to city authorities, are in intensive care units.

On the subject: New York City Coronavirus Outbreak Survival Guide

According to recent data, in the state of New York, 4152 infected with coronavirus were detected.

“If we are going to curb this epidemic, we need quick and extensive testing of those who are most at risk of a serious illness,” said Bill de Blasio.

Age and gender of patients

On March 18, the city department of health released information about who has confirmed a positive test result for the virus. About half of them were between 18 and 49 years old. About half of those infected in New York are people under the age of 50.

City data are brought in line with the latest information from the Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which on Wednesday, March 18, said that almost 40% of those hospitalized with the virus were people aged 20 to 54 years.

According to the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, 58% of those tested in the city are men, 42% are women.

Health Testing for Strength

As the number of cases of the disease increases, the hospitals in the next few weeks, if there are no new supplies in the near future, will experience a shortage of essential medical equipment, including masks and gloves. This was announced by Bill de Blasio on Thursday, March 19.

According to the mayor, the city needs three million N95 masks, 50 million surgical masks and 15 mechanical ventilators. In New York State, there are only about 000 fans — one for each intensive care unit.

Medical workers will also need surgical gowns, coveralls, gloves, and regular masks, Bill de Blasio said.

In this regard, the mayor of New York again appealed to the President of the United States Donald Trump for help. He again asked the president to send the military as part of his efforts to provide the city with the equipment necessary to save lives.

Transit service

NJ Transit (NJT), which operates one of the country's largest suburban transportation networks, lost 88% of its passengers. Now she needs $ 1,25 billion in federal assistance to survive.

On March 19, it became known that New Jersey residents were switching to a weekend work schedule (with some changes) starting March 20. A brief announcement was made after agency executive director Kevin J. Corbett sent a letter to the New Jersey State Congress asking them to allocate funds to compensate for lost income and increased costs caused by the outbreak of coronavirus.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which is subordinate to the New York Metro, buses and two suburban railways, said this week that it was seeking federal assistance worth $ 4 billion for similar reasons.

Corbett said a sharp decrease in passenger numbers occurred after March 9th. The agency assumes that this rapid decline will continue, because far fewer people will buy monthly passes.

Changes to the NJT timetable apply only to agency trains and affect all lines except the Atlantic City railway line and do not affect the operation of buses or the light rail system.

Correctional Facilities

According to officials, three more officers of the Department of Correctional Services received positive coronavirus test results. On March 19, the department confirmed that two officers and a captain were tested.

The announcement was made the day after one of the prisoners, a 30-year-old man, confirmed the disease. The second sick person is a service officer.

Eight other prisoners in contact with the patient who had symptoms of the virus were placed in the isolation ward in the hospital complex on Rikers Island.

To prevent an epidemic in prisons, the city hall decided which of the prisoners in this prison could be released ahead of schedule. On March 18, Bill de Blasio stated that prisoners who have health problems may be eligible for release. It is worth noting that in total about 5400 people are in custody in the city.

On May 19, the mayor noted that the city had identified 40 prisoners who could be released pending permission from other criminal justice agencies.

Officials on March 19 reported that outside the city prison system, three staff members of institutions in the New York area passed a positive virus test. Among them are one member of the Elizabeth New Jersey Medical Detention Center and one member of the Mercy First Center on Long Island, where juveniles are detained.

In addition, a penitentiary officer at the Bergen County Prison in New Jersey, who has a contract with the immigration service, passed a positive test, county officials said.

A statement from the district sheriff Bergen’s office said the guard had no contact with the detainees. But one prisoner transmitted information through his wife, saying that the guard recently helped transfer the unit from the dormitory to cells.

Other government agencies

Among other public sector employees, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority said on Thursday March 20 that 23 of its employees received a positive virus test result. 19 of them work in the New York City Transit Administration, which provides metro and bus services; the rest of Belle-Vue on the Long Island Railroad.

The New York City Police Department said 20 employees were tested positive for the virus. Some officers and the city’s largest police union recently blamed the department for failing to properly equip officers with protective equipment, including gloves and masks.

The federal government and various health associations have issued directives prohibiting family members and other non-essential staff from visiting nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, and other facilities with older, vulnerable residents.

Mr. Trinity ended up at a rehabilitation center in New Jersey. He is 92 years old and has fragile health. The family supports him as soon as possible. Several times a day, he calls his daughter, Mary, to ask where everything is. He begs to get him out of there.

Mr. Trinity's children are faced with a heartbreaking dilemma: should their father remain in the care of professionals who are much better prepared to meet his many needs, or is he at greater risk of contracting the virus while remaining in the institution? And, given the prevailing threat, perhaps they will never see him again.

About quarantine

Due to the continued spread of the virus and the devastating economic consequences in New York State, Cuomo ordered most businesses to transfer 75% of their employees to remote work. “This is a very negative circumstance, but you have time that you can spend with your family,” he said.

Just the day before, only 50% of employees had this ban. “I am tightening measures compared to the requirements that existed the day before. Workplaces may contain no more than 25% of the total number of company personnel. Yesterday it was 50%, and today we tightened the requirements, but this does not apply to employees of vital services, ”said the state governor.

The most important industries to which the rule does not apply include: the food industry, healthcare and pharmacies, banks, warehousing and shipping, as well as the media.

The governor also announced the issuance of a refusal to pay mortgages for three months to homeowners who are faced with financial difficulties associated with the virus. “If you do not work or work part-time, banks and financial institutions will refuse mortgage payments within 90 days,” the governor said.

Cuomo also tried to clarify his position on toughening the quarantine, in particular on the prohibition of citizens to go out. According to Bill de Blasio, such a measure could be taken in New York in the near future.

On the subject: The decision will be made in the next 48 hours: residents of New York may be prohibited from going out

This issue sparked semantic debate: the governor said that he supported the framework for creating a shelter in the California Gulf region, which still allows people to play sports and go shopping for food or medicine, but he rejects the term. “Shelter in place” is a terrible term for people, especially when they don’t know what it means, he said. “I think communication is important, and words are important.” Say what you mean and don’t say things that can alarm people. ”