Archive: NYS COVID-19 Resources & Information
3/24/20

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.

3/24/20
From Governor Cuomo’s press conference at the Javits Center at 11:00 a.m.

Numbers are going up far quicker than expected.

  • Apex is forecasted for 5/1, but the curve is increasing, new apex is forecasted for 14 to 21 days.
  • New projected needed beds are at 140k, with 40k ICU beds (beds with ventilators).
  • NYC expected to have a density reduction plan in place by noon today.
  • Experimental drug trials (Hydroxychoroquine and Zithromax) will start today.
  • DOH still pursuing Plasma Injection as well as Antibody test.
  • Cuomo is speaking with hotel owners to discuss conversion of locations. He will use SUNY and CUNY dorms, as well.
  • Experimenting with splitting ventilators in order to cover two people simultaneously.
  • Still pushing feds to use of federal Defense Production Act.  Not using power is inexplicable to Cuomo.
  • The Governor is urging HHS Secretary Azar to release 20,000 ventilators to the State.
  • FEMA is reportedly sending 400 ventilators, but the need is projected to be 30,000.
  • The Governor will take personal responsibility for transporting federal stockpile ventilators to the next region where needed, once state crests over apex. 
  • Governor discussing bringing lower risk people back into the workforce, and recovered people.
  • Ramp up the economy with available workers. Reiterates that the crisis facing the state today is hospital capacity.
  • NY will be the first to reach the apex, then other states will follow what happened in NY

Governor Cuomo’s Office issued the following Executive Order: 

Executive Order 202.10 

  • Any healthcare facility is authorized to allow students, in programs to become licensed in New York State to practice a healthcare professional, to volunteer at the healthcare facility for educational credit.
  • The Commissioner of Health is authorized to direct, and shall so direct, all general hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, office-based surgery practices and diagnostic and treatment centers to increase the number of beds available to patients, including by canceling all elective surgeries and procedures.
  • The Commissioner of Health is authorized to suspend or revoke the operating certificate of any general hospital should they be unable to meet the requirements of the necessary capacity directives.
  • No pharmacist shall dispense hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine except when written as prescribed for an FDA-approved indication; or as part of a state approved clinical trial related to COVID-19 for a patient who has tested positive for COVID-19, with such test result documented as part of the prescription. No other experimental or prophylactic use shall be permitted, and any permitted prescription is limited to one fourteen day prescription with no refills.   
  • Any licensed health insurance company shall deliver to the Superintendent, no later than March 24, 2020 a list of all persons who have a professional licensure or degree, whether physician’s assistant, medical doctor, licensed registered nurse, licensed nurse practitioner or licensed practical nurse, and whether or not the person has a currently valid, or recently (within past five years) expired license in the state of New York. The Department of Financial Services shall poll such individuals to determine whether or not such professionals would serve in the COVID-19 response effort.  
  • Non-essential gatherings of individuals of any size for any reason (e.g. parties, celebrations or other social events) are canceled or postponed at this time.