Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo over the weekend declared a state of emergency as the number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in New York increased to 89 including an Uber driver and two other patients whose positive tests remain unexplained.
Moving on numerous fronts to control the virus from spreading, the governor said that the state of emergency would allow the government of New York to respond quicker by lifting regulations.
Moreover, the public official's announcement took place as apprehensions about the outbreak grew in N.Y., confirming 12 cases, which an article posted on The New York Times website said, is "up from six that were disclosed" late last week."
The cases, as indicated in the same source, were mostly (if not all), linked to a cluster in Westchester that initially caught the attention of the authorities, following a 50-year-old lawyer and resident of New Rochelle who was confirmed as the second COVID-19 patient in NYS
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Mouth and Nasal Swabs Tested
As part of the government's initiative in controlling the spread of coronavirus in New York, the state officials and health professionals tested "dozens of numerous mouth and nasal swabs from individuals who might have been exposed to the said lawyer who has been confined at the hospital but whose condition, according to reports, is improving.
Furthermore, technicians spend long hours, working around the clock at both public and private laboratories which include a major location near the State Capitol.
Meanwhile, in the United States, over 380 COVID-19 cases have already been confirmed. Of these cases, at least 19 deaths have already been reported.
Despite the spread in New York, and the rising toll of coronavirus which has killed over 3,500 people globally, the governor sought to keep the public calm during a news conference held in Albany.
Latest COVID-19 Case Reported in New York
To date, the new confirmed coronavirus cases in NYS has reached the total number of 76. There are 57 cases recorded in Westchester County, 11 in NYC, four in Nassau County, two in Rockland County and one in Saratoga County.
As earlier mentioned, an Uber driver from Queens was found positive late last week, and this result prompted over 40 doctors, nurses and other health workers there to engage in a voluntary self-isolation over worries that they too, might have been exposed to the virus.
The Queens-based 33-year-old man entered St. John's Episcopal Hospital early last week and compared flulike symptoms. The driver reportedly went home but returned when the symptoms he was experiencing worsened.
Presently, dozens of health workers at the said hospital are going through some tests, as well. As for the patient, the hospital's spokesman, Tom Melillo said, he remained in quarantine at the said hospital and that the officials there were monitoring all of those who might have been exposed to him.
Meanwhile, Uber spokesman Andrew Hasbun confirmed the man's affiliation as a driver for the said app. Uber is assisting the health officials in determining if the patient exposed passengers to the virus, the spokesman said.
Additionally, the company said, the man was not authorized to pick up passengers at its two airports or in the city. However, he was free to drop them off in the five boroughs. The restrictions mentioned might impact the number of people this driver could have exposed to the virus.
