NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Thursday that the number of coronavirus cases in the state had risen to 92,381, with more than half of them—51,809—in New York City.
The total cases statewide included 8,669 new cases—up from 83,712 cases Wednesday. Among them was 4,370 new cases in New York City Thursday.
The death toll also climbed to 2,373—up 432 since Wednesday, when 1,941 deaths were reported.
The total number of people tested statewide was 238,965, Cuomo said. That includes 92,381 people who have tested positive.
Cuomo said 13,383 people were hospitalized and 3,396 people were in intensive care. At least 7,434 patients have been discharged.
The governor said every county in the state has now reported a coronavirus case and that cases are beginning to surge on Long Island, which he called "concerning."
Cuomo said at the current "burn rate," the state only has enough ventilators stockpiled to last six more days.
He said the state is scouring the globe for more ventilators and converting other medical machines into ventilators to boost the supply.
Cuomo said the state is also increasing the supply of ventilators by ending all elective surgeries.
He said the state has released 400 ventilators to NYC Health + Hospitals and 200 to Long Island and Westchester.
"We know where all the ventilators are in the state of New York by hospital," Cuomo said, adding that ventilators will be shifted from hospital to hospital as needed.
Cuomo also said construction has started on a hospital at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal, which is expected to open next week with 750 beds.
Another facility at a State Office of Mental Health facility in South Beach, Staten Island is also expected to open next week.
On Thursday, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced new recommendations for face coverings when going outside after studies show asymptomatic people appear to transmit the virus.
De Blasio recommended residents wear items such as bandanas or scarves as long as the person's mouth and nose are covered.
"You can create your own version, you can be creative and put whatever you want on it, it can be as homemade as you want, that's what we want you to do – something homemade," de Blasio said.
These new recommendations are intended for individuals who are pre-symptomatic and have to go out for essential activities.
He still urges residents to continue to practice social distancing and continuous hand washing.
The mayor also announced that there will be 435 sites open city for both kids and adults to obtain free meals.
On Wednesday, the governor said the apex of cases is now expected at the end of April. He said 75,000 to 110,000 beds will be needed for coronavirus patients.
Some 16,000 New Yorkers could die from the coronavirus, Cuomo said, and the outbreak could last through the summer.
He said that means tens of thousands of Americans could die in other states based on federal estimates of 100,000 to 200,000 people dying nationwide. He said New York should thus serve as a warning to other states.
Cuomo also announced that all New York City playgrounds will close. The city had already closed 10 playgrounds in the city because visitors weren't following social-distancing guidelines.
Cuomo warned that "something like this will happen again" and that the U.S. must look at how it handled this crisis, including a lack of medical supplies, and prepare for a future outbreak.
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