Suffolk County, Long Island now considered epicenter of coronavirus outbreak in America
Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone joins 'Fox & Friends' to discuss what's being done to combat the surge in cases.
Get all the latest news on coronavirus and more delivered daily to your inbox. Sign up here.
The number of daily coronavirus deaths in New York has now been “effectively flat for two days," Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced, in a sign that the pandemic may be starting to ease its grasp on America’s hardest-hit state.
Cuomo said Monday his state reported 599 new deaths, up from 594 on Sunday but down from 630 on Saturday.
“While none of this is good news, the possible flattening of the curve is better than the increases that we have seen,” Cuomo said.
Exclusive: How 3D printers are increasing ventilator capacity during the coronavirus pandemic
Dr. Bruce Becker is fighting on the frontlines of the coronavirus pandemic and tells Fox News how 3D printing capabilities can assist in the fight against COVID-19. Dr. Becker is the Chief Medical Officer of Vitae Industries and explains how the company’s technology can be used by healthcare workers to help them while they’re in the field.
CLICK HERE FOR FULL CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE
The number of new hospitalizations – and new admissions into intensive care units – have also hit their lowest points in more than two weeks. But Cuomo is warning things could still change and there is a “real danger in getting overconfident too quickly.”
“This is an enemy that we have underestimated from day one and we have paid the price dearly,” Cuomo said. “‘Well the numbers look like they may be turning, yay it’s over’ -- no it’s not.
“And other places have made that mistake,” he continued, naming Hong Kong and South Korea.
New York currently is grappling with 130,689 confirmed cases and 4,758 deaths. In a bid to lessen the impact on hospitals, Cuomo says he plans to call President Trump later today to request that the USNS Comfort, which is docked in Manhattan, to be allowed to treat coronavirus patients as well.
Should you avoid going to the supermarket to slow the spread of coronavirus?
Fox News contributor Dr. Nicole Saphier weighs in on coronavirus cases and safety precautions you need to take.
NYC COUNCILMAN WARNS OF PLAN FOR ‘TEMPORARY INTERMENT’ IN PARKS
“If we are plateauing, we are plateauing at a very high level and it’s a tremendous stress on the healthcare system,” Cuomo warned.
Cuomo also revealed that he is increasing the maximum fines for violators of social distancing rules from $500 to $1,000 -- and that non-essential businesses and schools must remain closed through at least April 29.
“I know that’s a negative for many, many reasons,” he said. “I know what it does to the economy, but I’m not going to choose between public health and economic activity. Because in either event, public health still demands that we stay on pause with businesses closed and schools closed.”
What will it take for the US economy to recover from coronavirus?
Insight from Peter Morici, University of Maryland business professor and former chief economist for the U.S. International Trade Commission.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Elsewhere, in New York City, Mayor Bill de Blasio said Monday that the rate of once-sick officers returning to the ranks of its police department “has gotten very strong.”
“The vast majority of patrol officers in the NYPD are younger and very healthy people,” de Blasio said. “So the extent they have been exposed to the virus – they are coming back rapidly.”
