NEW YORK (AP) — New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo extended stay-at-home restrictions through the month and increased fines on violators to up to $1,000, citing fresh evidence Monday that the outbreak-fighting rules could be helping the state avoid a worst-case catastrophe.Here are developments in the coronavirus outbreak.
New York state has tallied 4,758 deaths from COVID-19, with 599 reported in the last 24 hours. It remains the most impacted state with more than 130,000 laboratory-confirmed cases and close to 17,000 people hospitalized.
But the number of new people entering hospitals daily has dropped, as have the number of critically ill patients requiring ventilators. Recent data suggests the state could be at or near the peak of the outbreak, state officials said.
Warning it was no time the relent, Cuomo said schools and nonessential businesses will remain closed until April 29. He said the maximum fine for violations of state social distancing protocol will soon be $1,000, up from $500.
“This virus has kicked our rear end. And we underestimate this virus at our own peril. We’ve learned that lesson,” Cuomo told a news briefing at the state Capitol. “Now is not the time to slack off on what we’re doing.”
Cuomo stressed that even if New York has reached the peak, numbers could persist at these levels, which would continue to stress struggling hospitals.
Here are the latest coronavirus developments in New York:
CORONAVIRUS POLL
Most New York state residents say they are either quarantining themselves or social-distancing, according to a poll released Monday.
The Siena College poll reported that 14% of New Yorkers said they were under mandatory quarantine and 42% were self-quarantining. Another 39% of the respondents said they were not quarantining, but cutting back on going out and being around others.
And 4% said they were going about life as usual.
The statewide poll was conducted March 30 to April 2. Pollsters randomly called 402 adults and drew 400 responses from a proprietary panel.
The poll also found most New Yorkers with health and financial concerns.
Just over half of New Yorkers were concerned with being able to meet their monthly financial obligations and 37% were concerned with being laid off.
