All private and public laboratories in New York were told to to coordinate with the State Department of Health to prioritize coronavirus
The goal is to prioritize diagnostic testing for public health.
Meanwhile, the state Health Department released a list of Covid-19 deaths at nursing homes. Carillon Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Huntington Station led the list for Long Island with 29.
Cuomo said the state is counting on nursing homes to accurately report all Covid-19 deaths.
The state needs help from the federal government to increase testing, Cuomo said.
“The federal government cannot wipe their hands of this and say, ‘Oh the states are responsible for testing.’ We cannot do it, we cannot do it without federal help,” he said. “I’m willing to do what I can do and more, but … I don’t do China relations, I don’t do international supply chain, and that’s where the federal government can help,” Cuomo said.
The governor also renewed his call for the federal government to provide unrestricted funding to the states to help stabilize the economy and allow the states to begin steps to return to normal operations. In particular, Cuomo has criticized the lack of funds to states and municipalities to offset the loss of state revenue.
In the state, there were another 7,358 additional cases of novel coronavirus reported, bringing the statewide total to 229,642 confirmed cases in New York State. Another 630 people died in the state in the last day.
When President Trump criticized Cuomo on Twitter, saying the governor “should spend more time doing and less time complaining,” Cuomo suggested that the president that, “If he’s sitting at home watching TV, maybe he should get up and go to work,” and went on to criticize Trump on multiple fronts including testing, supplies and preparation for the pandemic. “Thank you for having the federal government participate in a federal emergency,” Cuomo said, in remarks directed at Trump.
What You Need to Know
- Schools and nonessential businesses will stay closed through May 15th.
- Governor Cuomo issued executive orders 202.17 and 202.18 requiring all people in New York to wear masks or face coverings in public, including when taking public or private transportation or riding in for-hire vehicles.
- Governor Cuomo issued an executive order directing all NYS public and private labs to coordinate with DOH to prioritize diagnostic testing.
- An awareness campaign encourages low-income New Yorkers to claim their Economic Impact Payments under the CARES Act.
- An executive order directs employers to provide essential workers with masks free of charge to wear when interacting with the public.
- A blueprint to un-PAUSE New York will be implemented in coordination with other regional states to get people back to work and ease social isolation without triggering renewed spread of the virus.
- New COVID-19 testing facilities are opening downstate, primarily in minority communities. Find testing site locations and hours or operation.
- New Yorkers who have recovered from COVID-19 are encouraged to donate blood. Here’s information on how to donate.
- New Yorkers without health insurance can apply through NY State of Health through May 15, 2020; must apply within 60 days of losing coverage.
- New Yorkers can call the COVID-19 Emotional Support Hotline at 1-844-863-9314 for mental health counseling.
- Testing is free for all eligible New Yorkers as ordered by a health care provider.
- Your local health department is your community contact for COVID-19 concerns.