For the second day in a row, more than 700 people in New York died from the new coronavirus, the state announced Wednesday morning — again breaking the mark for the most number of deaths in a single day since the pandemic upended life in the state.

OVER 700 DEATHS IN NEW YORK STATE ONCE AGAIN

Speaking in Albany in his daily coronavirus press briefing Wednesday morning, Cuomo said 779 patients died in the past 24 hours, the most coronavirus-related deaths in a single day in New York state since the outbreak began.
 


The previous state high mark was 731, which officials reported Tuesday morning.

At least 6,268 people in New York state have died from the virus, the governor said — that’s about twice as many people who died in the 9/11 attacks.

Citywide, as of 5 p.m. Wednesday, there were 80,204 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 4,260 deaths, up from the 3,554 fatalities the city reported 24 hours earlier.

New York City officials have reported 1,522 coronavirus-related deaths in the past two days.

The borough-by-borough breakdown, with some fluctuation in the numbers:

  • Queens: 26,204 confirmed cases
  • Brooklyn: 21,580
  • The Bronx: 16,419
  • Manhattan: 10,862
  • Staten Island: 5,102

The city said at least 20,474 people were hospitalized as of 5 p.m. Wednesday, up from 19,177. The total was 15,333 as of 5 p.m. Monday.

A week ago, New York City's confirmed case total was 45,707. A week before that: 20,011.

A week ago, New York City's confirmed coronavirus death count was 1,374. A week before that: 280.

3,164 people in New York City have died from coronavirus in the first eight days of April — more than double the entire total up until that point, although there are concerns the death count is actually higher.

The city claims the spike in its confirmed cases, hospitalizations, and deaths in the period between April 6 and 7 is due to a lag in reports from laboratories and a “large transfer of hospitalization data about patients who were hospitalized before April 6.”

Cuomo didn’t try to put a spin on some grim numbers.

“The bad news isn’t just bad; the bad news is actually terrible,” he said. “When you look at the numbers on the death toll, it has been going steadily up.”

The governor said he was ordering flags be lowered across New York in honor of those who have died from the virus.

Cuomo was asked whether he regretted not doing more to shut New York down sooner, like other states such as California, by restricting movement. The governor said he thought they responded appropriately, and if anything they were criticized for moving too quickly.

CUOMO HAS HOPE FOR HOSPITALIZATIONS

Despite the grim death toll, Cuomo claimed social distancing efforts across New York appeared to be flattening the curve on some levels. According to the governor, the number of hospitalizations over a three-day average is down across in the state.

However, more time will be needed to see if there is statistically significant change and if there is an actual flattening of the curve.

The governor was quick to warn New Yorkers not to take the news as a sign to ease up on social distancing efforts. Instead, Cuomo said New Yorkers need to double down on the PAUSE restrictions, which mandate non-essential workers in the state to stay home.
 


He added that case numbers would likely rise again "in days" if people let down their guard.

Echoing data announced by Mayor Bill de Blasio earlier in the day, the governor said the disparity of deaths by racial group is "nothing like you are seeing elsewhere in the country.”

OTHER NEWS

On the economic front, Cuomo said the state will extend unemployment to 39 weeks for New Yorkers impacted. There will also be a $600 extra unemployment payment.

The governor also announced all New Yorkers will be able to vote using absentee ballots for the June 23 primary.

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This story included reporting from Zack Fink.

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