Governor Cuomo's briefing today:
April 3, 2020:
New York's death toll from COVID-19 climbed to 2,935 on Friday, up from
2,373 the day before — the "highest single increase in the number of deaths since we started," Governor Andrew Cuomo said.
There have now been more than 102,000 confirmed cases statewide and 14,810 people are currently hospitalized in New York. More than half of cases in the state are in New York City.
Cuomo said he is concerned about an increase in hospitalizations and cases on Long Island, which stretches east from New York City. "Long Island does not have as elaborate a health care system as New York City," he said. "We don't have the same amount of resources on Long Island."
The governor called for resources from across the country to be deployed to the state, saying the only practical solution to the nationwide crisis as it continues to unfold is: "Focus on the emergency that is in front of you. Focus on the emergency at the place and time that is in front of you and then redeploy to the next situation," he said.
Cuomo said that after the state hits its peak in cases, which is expected in the next 2-3 weeks, it then can redeploy "what we have – personnel, equipment – to whatever locality is next."
"New York is in crisis. Help New York. And then pick up, decamp, and then go to the next place as this rolls across the country."
"I do not see any operational, practical alternative to dealing with this going forward," he said.
"People are going to die in the near-term because they walk into a hospital and there's no bed with a ventilator. Because there's either no bed, or no staff, or no PPE, or no ventilator. That is what is going to happen. And I think this is the only way to avoid it."
New York governor reports deadliest day yet from coronavirus, pleads for help
Cuomo reiterated that the state will work with companies who can make needed supplies including masks, gowns and face shields. He said the state is willing to pay a premium.
"It is unbelievable to me that in New York state in the United States of America we can't make these materials and that we are all shopping China to try to get these materials and, we're all competing against each other," he said. "These are not complex materials. And we will work with New York manufacturers, we'll finance the transition necessary to make these materials."