New York City has declared a state of emergency as the number of COVID-19 cases in the city neared 100 by Thursday afternoon.
Mayor Bill de Blasio says officials predict there could be 1,000 cases in the city by next week and the crisis could last six months. He projected confidence in the ability of city hospitals to handle an influx of patients, noting that 80 percent of COVID-19 patients do not require hospitalization.
The mayor hopes to keep as many schools open as possible or have schools pivot towards online learning. He said that despite numerous cancellations and event postponements, the city cannot cease operation to wait out the outbreak.
The city has temporarily banned gatherings of more than 500 people.
New York State has also declared a public health emergency with 328 confirmed cases of the virus statewide, including 148 in Westchester County, 95 in New York City, 41 in Nassau County and 20 in Suffolk County.
New Jersey has reported 29 cases of the novel coronavirus, including 1 death. Connecticut has reported 6 cases. Both NJ and CT have banned gatherings of more than 250 people.
Nationwide there were more than 1,400 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 38 deaths.
The following is a list of local cancellations/postponements in NYC due to the COVID-19 virus:
- The Archdiocese of New York Elementary Schools will be closed from March 16 through March 20.
- The annual St. Patrick's Day parade has been postponed.
- Broadway has canceled performances until April 13.
- Carnegie Hall has cancelled events from March 13 - 30.
- Live Nation is pausing all arena tours.
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art is closed
- The NBA and NHL are suspending their seasons, while the MLB is planning to delay the start of its regular season for at least two weeks.
- The NCAA has canceled remaining winter and spring championships.
- Trading on Wall Street was halted Thursday for the second time this week as all markets plummeted again.
- President Trump announced new travel restrictions for people flying in from Europe.
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