New York became the epicenter of the coronavirus epidemic in the USA: who is most often sick in the city

A city that never sleeps is faced with a "completely new reality." So the situation was described by the mayor of New York, Bill de Blasio. Dark Broadway. Empty streets. Closed bars and restaurants. An order directing millions of residents across the state to stay home. And thousands of recorded cases of coronavirus, recalls CNN.

About 8 people in New York State, they received a positive coronavirus test.

In the city of New York itself, the number of reported cases increased from 183 to 5 in just six days.

“To give you an idea of ​​the situation, it is now about a third of all reported cases of coronavirus in the United States of America,” said de Blasio. "That's about two-thirds of all cases in New York State."

“I hate to say this, but it's true: we are now the epicenter of this crisis,” the mayor admitted. “Right here in the largest city in the country. And we still have so much to do. ”

Earlier this week, de Blasio ordered residents to prepare for the isolation regime in their homes. However, this statement was negatively received by the state governor, who said he was not going to "put the inhabitants in jail."

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Instead, both leaders initially introduced less stringent restrictive measures, including the closure of bars and restaurants and the restriction of public gatherings. Schools throughout the state were also closed until April 1.

But on Friday, March 20, Andrew Cuomo went even further by signing a decree that all employees not involved in the livelihood of the state should remain at home and work remotely.

According to Cuomo, enterprises that do not comply with this requirement will be subject to mandatory closure and civil fines.

“We need everyone to be safe, otherwise no one can be safe,” he added.

Who is sick

According to new figures released by the New York City Department of Health, the majority of metropolitan residents who test positive for coronavirus are men between the ages of 18 and 49. New York Post.

Despite the assurances of experts that in the world the elderly are most affected by the virus, only 46% of patients with COVID-19 in New York are over 50 years old, and 54% are people 18-49 years old. The remaining 2% of cases are those between the ages of 5 and 17.

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The demographic data of the City Health Department are based on an analysis of 3 cases of infection in the city confirmed before March 954.

By Friday March 20, 5 cases of COVID-151 were reported in New York, 19 people were killed.

Men make up 59% of those infected in the metropolis. According to coronavirus expert Dr. Deborah Birks, men are twice as likely as women to die from COVID-19.

In addition, Department of Health data reflect a high level of pressure on the urban hospital system.

The number of visits to emergency departments due to symptoms of influenza and pneumonia increased by 366% compared to the same period last year. Queens had the largest increase in this activity, followed by Manhattan, Brooklyn, Staten Island and the Bronx.

“This is important because as these numbers continue to climb, there is also growing concern about the number of hospitals and beds in city departments,” said Thomas Hoyos, CEO of healthcare and technology company Voro.com.

“New Yorkers who think they may have COVID-19 should follow Governor Cuomo's directions on how to get advice by phone before leaving their homes and not go to the doctor's office or emergency room without first call, ”he added.

The stocks of medicines are running out

Cuomo explains the rapid increase in the number of infected with intensified testing. Earlier this week, he said that the state had conducted about 8000 tests per day, adding that it was "probably a new record in the country."

But as the number of people infected continues to increase, both in the city and throughout the state, healthcare providers are worried about supplies of medicines and equipment.

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This week, Cuomo turned to companies that could help provide such products as personal protective equipment, gloves, bathrobes and masks.

“If you can make them, we will provide funding for this,” he said. "And we will provide funding for you to find the right equipment, staff, etc. I ask the company to be creative."

Meanwhile, de Blasio said the city was considering options for using other buildings as hospitals, including hotels. At the same time, the mayor expressed concern about the threat of a shortage of medical equipment.

De Blasio criticized the federal government, saying that, despite the requests of both the governor and himself, “we have not seen a single response from anyone indicating that they have a serious plan to deliver equipment to New York ".

De Blasio previously said that in the city after about two to three weeks, supplies of equipment and medicines could run out.

“I said very clearly that for March we have the supplies we need,” he stressed. "I'm worried about April."