'We are flattening the curve': Cuomo says shutdowns are working to curb the spread of the coronavirus, but it's 'not a time to get complacent'

Advertisement
'We are flattening the curve': Cuomo says shutdowns are working to curb the spread of the coronavirus, but it's 'not a time to get complacent'
New York Coronavirus
  • Coronavirus-related hospital admissions are slowing in New York, which Gov. Andrew Cuomo said is a sign that the state is "flattening the curve."
  • Despite that, New York experienced its deadliest day yet from the virus, recording 779 deaths in the past 24 hours, bringing the toll to 6,298 in the state - more than double the deaths from 9/11.
  • "It's not a time to get complacent," Cuomo said.
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo had a rare bit of positive news in his daily coronavirus updates from Albany.

Advertisement

"We are flattening the curve, thank god," Cuomo said on Wednesday, referring to the models regarding the number of confirmed cases over time.

He said the reason New York is seeing a drop off in new confirmed cases is because of the strict business and store closures and social distancing measures put in place, and urged residents to keep abiding by these rules - as things could change quickly.

"It's not a time to get complacent, it's not a time to be doing anything different than we are doing," Cuomo said. "We have to remain disciplined and diligent going forward."

Here are the other biggest takeaways from Cuomo's daily update:

  • New York again had its deadliest day since the outbreak began. The state recorded 779 deaths since Tuesday.
  • The hospitalization and intensive care unit (ICU) admission rate is slowing, with the state recording a 3% increase in hospitalizations since yesterday.
  • Last week, that number was well over 25% day-over-day.
  • Cuomo said the death toll is a "lagging indicator" since most COVID-19 patients are sick for weeks before they die.
  • Hospitalizations will continue to slow, but deaths will continue to tick up because of this. Cuomo said hospitals - including temporary federal hospitals at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in Midtown Manhattan and the USNS Comfort - have rapidly increased capacity and will be able to absorb patients, provided strict social distancing measures remain in place.
  • Perhaps a stark reminder of the unprecedented nature of what we're facing: Cuomo said on 9/11, 2,753 New Yorkers lost their lives. So far, 6,298 New Yorkers have died from coronavirus.
  • Cuomo said there are stark racial disparities in coronavirus-related deaths. According to data released by New York City's Health Department on Wednesday, Hispanic/Latino and Black New Yorkers are almost twice as likely to die from the virus as Whites or Asians.
  • "There are clear inequalities, clear disparities in how this disease is affecting the people of our city," Cuomo said, adding that he is directing SUNY Albany's president to develop a program to increase testing in majority-minority communities.
  • Cuomo said people who have applied for unemployment in New York will be getting an extra $600 increase per week as part of Congress' relief package.
  • Cuomo said all New Yorkers will be able to vote absentee in the June 23 primary, after the uproar around Wisconsin holding in-person votes on Tuesday.
  • Last, he offered some for Jewish people who are celebrating the first day of Passover in an unprecedented way: "Passover says we remember the past, we learn from the past, and we remember the lessons we learned. But there's also a message of hope: Next year in Jerusalem."

Digital Health Pro

Featured Health Articles:
- Telehealth Industry Explained
- Value-Based Care Explained
- Senior Care & Assisted Living Market
- Smart Medical Devices & Wearable Tech
- AI in Healthcare
- Remote Patient Monitoring Explained- AI in Medical Diagnosis Systems

Advertisement

{{}}