Archive: NYS COVID-19 Resources & Information
4/18/20

In the rapidly changing dynamics of combating the Cornonavirus, information is updated constantly. This archive is being provided as an additional resource for those seeking to learn more about how New York State is addressing COVID-19.

4/18/20 Updates
From Governor Cuomo’s press conference in the Red Room of the NYS Capitol  

OVERVIEW

  • Hospitalizations, ICU admissions and intubations continue to go down.
  • 2,000 new COVID-19 hospitalizations per day.

TOTAL NYS DEATHS: 13,362 (540 new)

TESTING

  • We need more testing before we can reopen.
  • State called the top 50 labs in the state and asked what it would take to double capacity. Labs are having trouble getting reagents—the reagent supply chain is unreliable.
  • Awaiting on approval from FDA for scaling up testing. 

REOPENING

  • We are not going to be reopening anything immediately.
  • You cannot open one area and not open the other area.  

FEDERAL

  • Reiterated the need for Federal partnership and support.
  • States need $500 billion to reopen; National Governors Association made this request yesterday.
  • Federal government sent 15 million cloth masks to NYS to distribute to the public.

EXECUTIVE ORDER

Executive Order 202.19

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Notification from an employer receiving federal Paycheck Protection Program funding to rehired employees.
  • Relating to the establishment of a statewide coordinated testing prioritization process.
  • Requiring adult care facilities to report to family in event of positive COVID-19 test or death due to COVID-19, and in the event of failure to report, a $2,000 file may be issued.
  • No local government or local department of health shall take any actions that could affect public health without consulting with the state department of health. No local government official shall take any action that could impede or conflict with any other local government actions, or state actions, with respect to managing the COVID-19 public health emergency.

Q&A

  • Governor spoke with Speaker Heastie yesterday and the legislature is working hard.
  • Continuing the legislative session is up to the legislature.
  • The Governor is signing an Executive Order today allowing people to get a marriage license remotely and allowing clerks to perform remote marriage ceremonies.
  • There is not enough testing being done across the board in the State.
  • The greatest concern is nursing homes (congregate care).
  • Nursing homes, for the most part, are privately run facilities; the State does not get into the details of communication between families and residents beyond number of deaths and positive cases.