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N.Y. to ‘Lay Out a Plan’ for New Rochelle, Cuomo Says: Live Updates N.Y. Creates ‘Containment Zone’ in New Rochelle: Live Updates
(32 minutes later)
With New Rochelle, a small city just north of New York City in Westchester County, emerging as the epicenter of the state’s outbreak, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo on Tuesday announced a targeted containment strategy to halt the spread of the virus.
“New Rochelle is a particular problem,” he said at a news conference on Tuesday.
The state also planned to deploy the National Guard to in the containment area to clean the schools and deliver food to quarantined residents, Mr. Cuomo said.
The state’s plan focuses on a “containment area” in New Rochelle with a one-mile radius centered around a synagogue believed to be at the center of the cluster, officials said.
Schools and other large gathering facilities like community centers and houses of worship within the area will be closed for two weeks beginning on Thursday, Mr. Cuomo said. Businesses such as grocery stores and delis would remain open.
The state did not plan to close streets or implement travel restrictions, Mr. Cuomo said.
“You’re not containing people,” he said. “You’re containing facilities.”
The cluster in Westchester County first came to the authorities’ attention last week, when a lawyer who lives in New Rochelle and works in Manhattan, Lawrence Garbuz, became the second person in New York to be diagnosed with coronavirus last week.
A 69-year-old man in New Jersey was the first person in the state to die from the new coronavirus, officials announced on Tuesday.
The man, a resident of Bergen County near New York, was one of 15 people confirmed to have the virus in the state. He had no known travels outside the United States but did travel to New York City.
The man died on Tuesday morning, officials said at a news conference.
“We are sad to report the first death in a case of COVID-19 in New Jersey,” Mr. Murphy and Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver said in a statement. “Our prayers are with the family during this difficult time.”
New York State continues to see a surge of coronavirus cases as testing becomes more widespread. On Tuesday, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said that 173 cases had been confirmed statewide. One hundred eight of the cases were in Westchester County, the governor said.New York State continues to see a surge of coronavirus cases as testing becomes more widespread. On Tuesday, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said that 173 cases had been confirmed statewide. One hundred eight of the cases were in Westchester County, the governor said.
In New York City, the state had 36 confirmed cases of the virus, Mr. Cuomo said.In New York City, the state had 36 confirmed cases of the virus, Mr. Cuomo said.
Only 14 people with the virus were hospitalized, the governor said.Only 14 people with the virus were hospitalized, the governor said.
On Monday, Gov. Philip D. Murphy of New Jersey declared a state of emergency and a public health emergency, effective immediately. New Jersey officials also announced five new cases of the virus, bringing that state’s total to 11. On Monday, Gov. Philip D. Murphy of New Jersey declared a state of emergency and a public health emergency, effective immediately.
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The move, which allows state agencies to move more quickly to prepare for a broader spread of the virus, follows a similar action by Mr. Cuomo over the weekend.The move, which allows state agencies to move more quickly to prepare for a broader spread of the virus, follows a similar action by Mr. Cuomo over the weekend.
So far, more than 114,000 cases of infection have been reported globally, and more than 4,000 people have died. In Italy, where the virus is spreading quickly, the country’s prime minister imposed strict travel limits across the whole country.So far, more than 114,000 cases of infection have been reported globally, and more than 4,000 people have died. In Italy, where the virus is spreading quickly, the country’s prime minister imposed strict travel limits across the whole country.
In the United States, more than 700 people in 36 states and Washington, D.C., have tested positive for the virus so far, and at least 26 people have died.In the United States, more than 700 people in 36 states and Washington, D.C., have tested positive for the virus so far, and at least 26 people have died.
Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said on Tuesday morning that his administration would unveil a specific plan to target the coronavirus outbreak in New Rochelle, a small city just north of New York City in Westchester County, which has emerged as the epicenter of the state’s outbreak.
“We’re going to lay out a plan this afternoon for a specific plan for New Rochelle,” Mr. Cuomo said.
The cluster in Westchester County first came to the authorities’ attention last week, when a lawyer who lives in New Rochelle and works in Manhattan, Lawrence Garbuz, became the second person in New York to be diagnosed with coronavirus last week.
“New Rochelle is probably the most significant cluster in the country,” Mr. Cuomo said in a radio interview on WAMC, comparing the number of cases there to those in Washington State, where 179 have fallen ill and 22 have died.
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The governor did not define what the new protocols for New Rochelle might be. Earlier this week, he asked nursing homes, senior care centers and similar facilities to suspend outside visitors.
“Look, all you need is one 8-year-old Johnny to go into a nursing home to see his grandma and hug and kiss his grandmother because he loves her,” he said. “Now you’re off to the races.”
On Monday, he also suggested that the state was weighing closing schools in and around the city.
[The New York Times is keeping an updated list of the school closings in the New York area here.][The New York Times is keeping an updated list of the school closings in the New York area here.]
Thousands more students who attend some of New York City’s private schools and universities were told that schools were closed or in-person classes were canceled on Tuesday, as the list of school closures around the region continues to grow.Thousands more students who attend some of New York City’s private schools and universities were told that schools were closed or in-person classes were canceled on Tuesday, as the list of school closures around the region continues to grow.
In New York City, Columbia University, Fordham University, St. John’s University, Yeshiva University and New York University announced that classes would be canceled or offered online.In New York City, Columbia University, Fordham University, St. John’s University, Yeshiva University and New York University announced that classes would be canceled or offered online.
Public schools in Scarsdale, a wealthy suburb in Westchester County, will be closed through March 18. Many of New York City’s best-known private schools — including the all-girls school Brearley in Manhattan and the Quaker school Brooklyn Friends — said they could close until after spring break, meaning many students will not return to school until March 30 at the earliest.Public schools in Scarsdale, a wealthy suburb in Westchester County, will be closed through March 18. Many of New York City’s best-known private schools — including the all-girls school Brearley in Manhattan and the Quaker school Brooklyn Friends — said they could close until after spring break, meaning many students will not return to school until March 30 at the earliest.
Officials at private schools and universities said they would take advantage of closures to create remote learning systems in case the schools have to close for extended periods. While the city Department of Education is making preliminary plans for distance learning, Mayor Bill de Blasio said Tuesday that it was not the city’s “preference” — in part because many of the city’s students do not have Internet at home or live in homeless shelters.Officials at private schools and universities said they would take advantage of closures to create remote learning systems in case the schools have to close for extended periods. While the city Department of Education is making preliminary plans for distance learning, Mayor Bill de Blasio said Tuesday that it was not the city’s “preference” — in part because many of the city’s students do not have Internet at home or live in homeless shelters.
“At least at the beginning, the learning curve will be really steep” on remote learning if schools are closed for extended periods, said Ioana Literat, a professor at Columbia University’s Teachers College.“At least at the beginning, the learning curve will be really steep” on remote learning if schools are closed for extended periods, said Ioana Literat, a professor at Columbia University’s Teachers College.
No city public schools have closed yet, and officials have said they view mass closures of the system as a “last resort.”No city public schools have closed yet, and officials have said they view mass closures of the system as a “last resort.”
Mr. de Blasio doubled down on that position in an interview on MSNBC on Tuesday morning, saying that individual schools might close for a temporary period if particular students or teachers were exposed but that the city was unlikely to halt school altogether.Mr. de Blasio doubled down on that position in an interview on MSNBC on Tuesday morning, saying that individual schools might close for a temporary period if particular students or teachers were exposed but that the city was unlikely to halt school altogether.
“I would advise against these mass closures when we’re keeping this situation relatively contained,” he said. But, he added, “ask me in a week, ask me in a month — it might change.”“I would advise against these mass closures when we’re keeping this situation relatively contained,” he said. But, he added, “ask me in a week, ask me in a month — it might change.”
A week after the virus first appeared in New York, the state residents under quarantine have largely been left to fend for themselves.A week after the virus first appeared in New York, the state residents under quarantine have largely been left to fend for themselves.
Local health departments in New York State are supposed to check in daily even with people under precautionary quarantine, the lowest category of risk for contracting the virus. But in many cases, they have not started doing so yet.Local health departments in New York State are supposed to check in daily even with people under precautionary quarantine, the lowest category of risk for contracting the virus. But in many cases, they have not started doing so yet.
And when the authorities do issue guidance or directives, they can seem contradictory or illogical.And when the authorities do issue guidance or directives, they can seem contradictory or illogical.
“We’ve been told everything from it was OK to go out, to we had to sign a release that we’re housebound now,” said one of the women who received an isolation order and who spoke on the condition that her name not be published.“We’ve been told everything from it was OK to go out, to we had to sign a release that we’re housebound now,” said one of the women who received an isolation order and who spoke on the condition that her name not be published.
[“It’s been very crazy,” said one of the thousands of New Yorkers under quarantine.][“It’s been very crazy,” said one of the thousands of New Yorkers under quarantine.]
On Tuesday, the speaker of the City Council, Corey Johnson canceled his planned state of the city address, which was to be held on Thursday, “out of an abundance of caution,” he said in a statement.On Tuesday, the speaker of the City Council, Corey Johnson canceled his planned state of the city address, which was to be held on Thursday, “out of an abundance of caution,” he said in a statement.
“I was looking forward to the speech, but at a time when we are urging New Yorkers to consider measures like telecommuting and staggered work hours, it seemed an unnecessary risk,” Mr. Johnson said.“I was looking forward to the speech, but at a time when we are urging New Yorkers to consider measures like telecommuting and staggered work hours, it seemed an unnecessary risk,” Mr. Johnson said.
The announcement comes even though city and state health officials have not moved to cancel large gatherings.The announcement comes even though city and state health officials have not moved to cancel large gatherings.
Laura Curran, the Nassau County executive, also announced that she was canceling her state of the county address Wednesday night to give her “full focus” to directing the coronavirus response.Laura Curran, the Nassau County executive, also announced that she was canceling her state of the county address Wednesday night to give her “full focus” to directing the coronavirus response.
Federal courthouses in the region also added new restrictions to help prevent further spread of the virus. On Tuesday the chief judge for the Eastern District of New York issued an order preventing a number of people who might have been exposed to the virus from entering any of the district’s courthouses in Brooklyn and Long Island.Federal courthouses in the region also added new restrictions to help prevent further spread of the virus. On Tuesday the chief judge for the Eastern District of New York issued an order preventing a number of people who might have been exposed to the virus from entering any of the district’s courthouses in Brooklyn and Long Island.
The order matched one issued Monday by the chief judge for the Southern District of New York, which includes Manhattan and Westchester County. The districts are two of the country’s biggest and busiest.The order matched one issued Monday by the chief judge for the Southern District of New York, which includes Manhattan and Westchester County. The districts are two of the country’s biggest and busiest.
Among those barred from entering the courthouses are: those who have traveled to China, South Korea, Japan, Italy or Iran in the last two weeks; anyone who has been asked to self-quarantine; and people who have tested positive for the coronavirus or been in contact with those who have.Among those barred from entering the courthouses are: those who have traveled to China, South Korea, Japan, Italy or Iran in the last two weeks; anyone who has been asked to self-quarantine; and people who have tested positive for the coronavirus or been in contact with those who have.
The United Nations also closed its headquarters to the public and suspended all tours until further notice.The United Nations also closed its headquarters to the public and suspended all tours until further notice.
Even with the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the city and state rising, New York City has no plans to cancel next week’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Mr. de Blasio said on Monday.Even with the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the city and state rising, New York City has no plans to cancel next week’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Mr. de Blasio said on Monday.
But he and Mr. Cuomo both said that officials were weighing the possibility.But he and Mr. Cuomo both said that officials were weighing the possibility.
“That’s one of the things we’re looking at,” Mr. Cuomo said in an interview on CNN on Tuesday morning.“That’s one of the things we’re looking at,” Mr. Cuomo said in an interview on CNN on Tuesday morning.
More than a hundred thousand people take part in the annual procession down Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, with hundreds of thousands more typically lining the streets to watch.More than a hundred thousand people take part in the annual procession down Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, with hundreds of thousands more typically lining the streets to watch.
Ireland’s government canceled all St. Patrick’s Day parades in the country, including Dublin’s, and similar events in other places have also been canceled.Ireland’s government canceled all St. Patrick’s Day parades in the country, including Dublin’s, and similar events in other places have also been canceled.
The mayor of Boston, a city which, like New York, has a sizable and influential Irish-American community, also canceled that city’s annual St. Patrick’s Day parade as a precautionary measure. Massachusetts has 28 confirmed cases of the coronavirus.The mayor of Boston, a city which, like New York, has a sizable and influential Irish-American community, also canceled that city’s annual St. Patrick’s Day parade as a precautionary measure. Massachusetts has 28 confirmed cases of the coronavirus.
Mr. de Blasio said on Monday that officials would continue to monitor the spread of the coronavirus and that any final decision on the parade would be a “day-to-day thing.”Mr. de Blasio said on Monday that officials would continue to monitor the spread of the coronavirus and that any final decision on the parade would be a “day-to-day thing.”
On Tuesday, he seemed to suggest that the outbreak had not yet reached the threshold for such a large cancellation.On Tuesday, he seemed to suggest that the outbreak had not yet reached the threshold for such a large cancellation.
“We’re better off not closing larger events,” Mr. de Blasio said on MSNBC.“We’re better off not closing larger events,” Mr. de Blasio said on MSNBC.
Medical researchers have been warning that the nation’s homeless are particularly vulnerable to the virus, because of cramped quarters in shelters, the sharing of utensils and a lack of hand-washing stations on the streets.Medical researchers have been warning that the nation’s homeless are particularly vulnerable to the virus, because of cramped quarters in shelters, the sharing of utensils and a lack of hand-washing stations on the streets.
New York City, which has the largest homeless population in the country, issued an 11-page document telling shelters to screen people for symptoms and to identify and isolate people who have contracted the virus in a separate room “as much as possible.”New York City, which has the largest homeless population in the country, issued an 11-page document telling shelters to screen people for symptoms and to identify and isolate people who have contracted the virus in a separate room “as much as possible.”
Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo’s plan to provide New Yorkers with state-made hand sanitizer was criticized by several criminal justice groups after it became known that the sanitizer would be made by the state’s prison-based product company, Corcraft.Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo’s plan to provide New Yorkers with state-made hand sanitizer was criticized by several criminal justice groups after it became known that the sanitizer would be made by the state’s prison-based product company, Corcraft.
“We are disgusted at Governor Cuomo’s decision to exploit prison labor to push back the imminent public health crisis presented by Covid-19 while doing absolutely nothing for incarcerated people across the state,” said one angry statement signed by five groups, including Citizen Action and VOCAL-NY, which also praised “the sacrifices made by people in prison” to fight the outbreak.“We are disgusted at Governor Cuomo’s decision to exploit prison labor to push back the imminent public health crisis presented by Covid-19 while doing absolutely nothing for incarcerated people across the state,” said one angry statement signed by five groups, including Citizen Action and VOCAL-NY, which also praised “the sacrifices made by people in prison” to fight the outbreak.
The Cuomo administration gently dismissed the complaints. “A central part of prison rehabilitation is job training and skill development, and this is part of that existing program that’s been in place for years,” said Rich Azzopardi, senior adviser to the governor.The Cuomo administration gently dismissed the complaints. “A central part of prison rehabilitation is job training and skill development, and this is part of that existing program that’s been in place for years,” said Rich Azzopardi, senior adviser to the governor.
[Governor Cuomo’s fix for hand sanitizer shortages: 100,000 gallons made by prisoners.][Governor Cuomo’s fix for hand sanitizer shortages: 100,000 gallons made by prisoners.]
Reporting contributed by Alan Feuer, Thomas Fuller, Michael Gold, Nicole Hong, Jeffery C. Mays, Eliza Shapiro, Jesse McKinley, Sarah Maslin Nir and Luis Ferré-Sadurní.Reporting contributed by Alan Feuer, Thomas Fuller, Michael Gold, Nicole Hong, Jeffery C. Mays, Eliza Shapiro, Jesse McKinley, Sarah Maslin Nir and Luis Ferré-Sadurní.