Archive: NYS COVID-19 Resources & Information
4/30/20

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.

4/30/20 Updates
From Governor Cuomo's Briefing in the Red Room of the NYS Capitol 

OVERVIEW

  • Net change in total hospitalizations and in intubations are down.
  • Changes in new COVID-19 cases is slightly down, but still too high.

TOTAL NYS DEATHS: 18,321 (306 new)

REOPENING

  1. NYS will be smart about reopening; follow numbers and data and listen to the experts.
  2. Is the infection spreading and is hospital capacity available (don’t go above 70% bed capacity and 70% ICU capacity)?
  3. Need a 30-day stockpile supply of medical equipment.
  4. Test, trace, isolate are the keys to monitoring and controlling the infection rate.
  5. NYS is increasing the number of tests in partnership with the federal government.

TRACING

  • Tracing positive individuals and tracing back who they have been in contact with.
  • The faster you trace, the better.
  • The problem is tracing to scale.
  • Yesterday 4,681 people tested positive for the virus. How can you trace all the individuals this population has been in contact with?
  • Michael Bloomberg will lead the first-ever testing, tracing, isolation program.
  • Mayor Bloomberg and Johns Hopkins University will carry out the recruitment, interviewing, and training of tracers in consultation with the NYS Department of Health.
  • NYS will draw tracers from State, City and County Health Departments and other employees.
  • NYS employees who are home and getting paid but not working can be deployed as tracers.
  • The State may have to hire people to supplement this workforce.
  • Johns Hopkins University in conjunction with NYS Department of Health will develop a world-class online curriculum consisting of:
             - Training program.
             - Online exam that must be passed in order to complete the program.
  • Bloomberg joined the press conference stating that the team is working with SUNY and CUNY to develop the tracer workforce.
  • Vital Strategies is developing 3 new apps to:
             - Help contact tracers find info and data quickly.
             - Help the public provide info to health departments.
             - Allow those in quarantine to access guidance and services they need, including reporting of symptoms.
  • Vital Systems is working to develop a comprehensive playbook to do contact tracing effectively, the playbook will be made public so cities, states and nations can use this. NY will help fight the virus globally.
  • Outside experts will conduct an evaluation of the program.
  • Bloomberg has a call with mayors around the country, a call that occurs weekly, to share information and strategies.
  • Tracing will be coordinated on a tri-state basis.

NYS SUBWAY

  • Greater need to disinfect the subways, trains, busses, ADA vehicles.
  • Much of this workforce has become sick and some have died.
  • Train service will halt every night from 1am-5am for a thorough disinfecting and cleaning of every subway car.
  • The virus can live for hours of even days on a surface.
  • New process, new methods, new cleaning agents.
  • MTA will still provide transportation with busses, for-hire vehicles, compliant “dollar vans” at no cost to the essential worker.
  • This initiative will require the MTA/State/NYPD presence to secure stations.
  • MTA will also disinfect the LIRR and Metro North fleet daily without disruption to service.

EXECUTIVE ORDER 202.25

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Effective through May 29, 2020.
  • Approval of temporary dedicated birthing sites.