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N.Y. Creates ‘Containment Zone’ Limiting Large Gatherings in New Rochelle: Live Updates N.Y. Creates ‘Containment Zone’ Limiting Large Gatherings 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.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, at this point, is probably the largest cluster of these cases in the United States,” he said at a news conference on Tuesday.“New Rochelle, at this point, is probably the largest cluster of these cases in the United States,” he said at a news conference on Tuesday.
The state’s plan focuses on a “containment area” in New Rochelle, where it would deploy the National Guard to clean schools and deliver food to quarantined residents, Mr. Cuomo said.The state’s plan focuses on a “containment area” in New Rochelle, where it would deploy the National Guard to clean schools and deliver food to quarantined residents, Mr. Cuomo said.
The area is a one-mile radius centered around a synagogue in New Rochelle believed to connect many of the cases in the cluster, officials said.The area is a one-mile radius centered around a synagogue in New Rochelle believed to connect many of the cases in the cluster, officials said.
Schools, houses of worship and other large gathering spaces 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.Schools, houses of worship and other large gathering spaces 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.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.”“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.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.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, who lived in Bergen County, had a history of health problems before contracting coronavirus, the state’s health commissioner, Judith Persichilli, said.The man, who lived in Bergen County, had a history of health problems before contracting coronavirus, the state’s health commissioner, Judith Persichilli, said.
He was admitted to Hackensack University Medical Center over the weekend and suffered two heart attacks, Ms. Persichilli said. Officials said at a news conference that the man died on Tuesday morning.He was admitted to Hackensack University Medical Center over the weekend and suffered two heart attacks, Ms. Persichilli said. Officials said at a news conference that the man died on Tuesday morning.
The man had no known travels outside the United States, but did travel between New York and New Jersey, Ms. Persichilli said.The man had no known travels outside the United States, but did travel between New York and New Jersey, Ms. Persichilli said.
“We are sad to report the first death in a case of Covid-19 in New Jersey,” Gov. Philip D. Murphy and Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver said in a statement. “Our prayers are with the family during this difficult time.”“We are sad to report the first death in a case of Covid-19 in New Jersey,” Gov. Philip D. Murphy and Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver said in a statement. “Our prayers are with the family during this difficult time.”
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New Jersey on Tuesday also announced four new cases of the coronavirus, bringing its total to 15. The state’s epidemiologist, Dr. Christina Tan, said several of the cases were linked to the cluster of cases in New Rochelle, N.Y.New Jersey on Tuesday also announced four new cases of the coronavirus, bringing its total to 15. The state’s epidemiologist, Dr. Christina Tan, said several of the cases were linked to the cluster of cases in New Rochelle, N.Y.
New York State continues to see a surge of coronavirus cases as testing becomes more widespread. On Tuesday, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said 173 cases had been confirmed statewide.New York State continues to see a surge of coronavirus cases as testing becomes more widespread. On Tuesday, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said 173 cases had been confirmed statewide.
The governor said 108 of the cases were in Westchester County. Only 14 people with the virus had been hospitalized, he said.The governor said 108 of the cases were in Westchester County. Only 14 people with the virus had been hospitalized, he said.
In New York City, the state had 36 confirmed cases, Mr. Cuomo said. In New York City, the state had 36 confirmed cases, Mr. Cuomo said. Thirty people in the city were in mandatory quarantine, with more than 2,000 voluntarily isolating themselves, Mayor Bill de Blasio said.
Both Mr. Cuomo and Gov. Philip D. Murphy of New Jersey have both declared a state of emergency and a public health emergency in their states. The action allows state agencies to move more quickly to prepare for a broader spread of the virus.Both Mr. Cuomo and Gov. Philip D. Murphy of New Jersey have both declared a state of emergency and a public health emergency in their states. The action allows state agencies to move more quickly to prepare for a broader spread of the virus.
So far, more than 116,000 cases of infection have been reported globally, and more than 4,000 people have died. In Italy, where the virus is spreading quickly, the prime minister imposed strict travel limits across the country.So far, more than 116,000 cases of infection have been reported globally, and more than 4,000 people have died. In Italy, where the virus is spreading quickly, the prime minister imposed strict travel limits across the country.
In the United States, more than 700 people in 37 states and Washington have tested positive for the virus so far, and at least 27 people have died. In the United States, more than 800 people in 37 states and Washington have tested positive for the virus so far, and at least 27 people have died.
[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 closings 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 closings 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 would not return to school until March 30 at the earliest. Further upstate, officials at Syracuse University said in-person classes would be suspended from Friday through at least March 30. Courses would continue online.
Public schools in Scarsdale, a wealthy suburb in Westchester County, will be closed through March 18. Several public and private schools in Nassau County on Long Island also closed after two bus drivers tested positive for the virus, officials there said.
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 would not return to school until March 30 at the earliest.
Officials at private schools and universities said they would take advantage of closings to create remote learning systems in case the schools have to shut for extended periods. While the city’s Department of Education was making preliminary plans for distance learning, Mayor Bill de Blasio said on Tuesday that it was not the “preference” — in part because many students do not have internet at home or live in homeless shelters.Officials at private schools and universities said they would take advantage of closings to create remote learning systems in case the schools have to shut for extended periods. While the city’s Department of Education was making preliminary plans for distance learning, Mayor Bill de Blasio said on Tuesday that it was not the “preference” — in part because many 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, and officials have said they view mass closings of the system as a “last resort.”No city public schools have closed, and officials have said they view mass closings 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 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 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, adding: “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, adding: “Ask me in a week. Ask me in a month — it might change.”
Beginning as early as Wednesday, visitors to New York City jails will be screened and barred from entry if they exhibit flu-like symptoms such as a cough or fever.
There are no confirmed cases of coronavirus inside the jails, but the city’s Department of Correction was running through emergency scenarios to prepare for a possible outbreak, a correction official, Patricia Feeney, said at a public hearing on Tuesday.
Sanitation inside the jails has increased, she said, including daily cleaning of all housing units, common spaces and buses. Showers are cleaned three times a day.
Officials are raising awareness about social distancing and, for instance, discouraging inmates from sitting on one another’s beds, Ms. Feeney said.
If people entering custody report flu-like symptoms, they will receive a mask and be transported separately to the jail facility, where medical workers will attend to them.
Another correction official said on Tuesday that 88 cells are available to isolate inmates who exhibit symptoms or test positive for the virus.
In New Jersey, the commissioner of the state’s Department of Corrections was considering suspending all contact visits at New Jersey’s prisons, the Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver said on Tuesday. If the suspension is implemented, visitors would only be able to see inmates from behind a partition.
On Tuesday, the speaker of the City Council, Corey Johnson, canceled his 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 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 on 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 on 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 on 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 on Long Island.
The order matched one issued on 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 on 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.
Beginning as early as Wednesday, visitors to New York City jails will be screened and barred from entry if they exhibit flu-like symptoms such as a cough or fever. The lawyer, 50, was struggling to breathe. His neighbor took him to a hospital in a suburb about 20 miles north of Midtown Manhattan. He seemed to have just pneumonia. Doctors put him in an ordinary room.
There are no confirmed cases of coronavirus inside the jails, but the city’s Department of Correction was running through emergency scenarios to prepare for a possible outbreak, a correction official, Patricia Feeney, said at a public hearing on Tuesday. It would be more than four days before anyone figured out what actually ailed him: the new coronavirus. The discovery on March 2 that the man, Lawrence Garbuz, was infected was the first indication that the virus was circulating in New York through community spread.
Sanitation inside the jails has increased, she said, including daily cleaning of all housing units, common spaces and buses. Showers are cleaned three times a day. Within days, it would emerge that Mr. Garbuz, who is from New Rochelle, N.Y., was part of a cluster of more than 90 cases, the largest concentration on the East Coast.
Officials are raising awareness about social distancing and, for instance, discouraging inmates from sitting on one another’s beds, Ms. Feeney said. But the larger realization came as health investigators untangled Mr. Garbuz’s case by retracing his steps and interviewing those he came in contact with. Soon, the investigators would discover how just one undiagnosed case can wreak havoc on a hospital and spread anxiety across a region.
If people entering custody report flu-like symptoms, they will receive a mask and be transported separately to the jail facility, where medical workers will attend to them. Reporting contributed by Luis Ferré-Sadurní, Alan Feuer, Thomas Fuller, Michael Gold, Joseph Goldstein, Nicole Hong, Jeffery C. Mays, Jesse McKinley, Aaron Randle, Eliza Shapiro, Sarah Maslin Nir, and Andrea Salcedo.
Another correction official said on Tuesday that 88 cells are available to isolate inmates who exhibit symptoms or test positive for the virus.
In New Jersey, the commissioner of the state’s Department of Corrections was considering suspending all contact visits at New Jersey’s prisons, the Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver said on Tuesday. If the suspension is implemented, visitors would only be able to see inmates from behind a partition.
Even with the number of confirmed coronavirus cases 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.
“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.
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.
On Tuesday, Mr. de Blasio seemed to suggest that the outbreak had not yet reached the threshold for such a large cancellation.
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.”
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.