New York state now has 25,665 confirmed cases of coronavirus, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Tuesday.
That’s roughly ten times more cases of COVID-19 than any other state. According to Johns Hopkins University, only three states have more than 2,000 cases: New Jersey (which likely includes many people who work in New York City), Washington state, and California.
In New York, the number of cases is doubling every three days, partly due to increased testing. More than 1,000 cases were confirmed overnight Wednesday; the Empire State has seen over 5,000 new cases each of the past two days.
Cuomo now expects NY’s peak will come sooner and higher than previously predicted. As many as 140,000 hospital beds could be needed in 2-3 weeks, while the state currently has just over 53,000.
“The apex is higher than we thought, and the apex is sooner than we thought. That is a bad combination of facts," Cuomo said during a press briefing Tuesday.
The governor also said the state will likely need 30,000 more ventilators than it currently has, but more healthcare workers will also be needed.
“I will turn the state upside down the get the number of hospital beds, but we need the staff," he said. "We want to enlist as many staff as we can and as many backup staff, because health care workers will get sick.”
Cuomo ordered all New York state residents to stay at home on Sunday, with few exceptions, to slow the spread of coronavirus.
Most businesses have to send 100 percent of their workers home. Those that stay open, such as grocery stores and pharmacies, must ensure customers stay at least six feet apart; restaurants can still offer drive-thru and takeout food. Gatherings are banned, including house gatherings. Vulnerable people need to stay indoors.
On Sunday, Cuomo said he was upset with “arrogant” New Yorkers who were not practicing social distancing.
“I don’t know what they’re not understanding,” Cuomo said, his voice rising. “This is not life as usual... This is not a joke and I am not kidding.”
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