Governor Andrew Cuomo balanced his most positive declaration since the novel coronavirus pandemic hit New York with caution against regressive action that could lead to a second wave of outbreaks.
"We're finally ahead of this virus," the governor said at his daily briefing Friday afternoon.
He continued: "We have shown that we can control the beast. You look at those numbers coming down... [Most] states in this country, you still see the numbers going up. You take New York out of the national numbers and you see cases on the increase."
An analysis released Tuesday by the Associated Press was among reports illustrating that pandemic response success in highly-populated New York and New Jersey was obfuscating from national data showing that the majority of the country has seen a rising infection rate over the past three weeks.
While Cuomo remains committed to what will seem like a painstaking phased reopening process, he said the alternative is a grave reality for which there is no remedy.
"We will figure out the economics. It's not going to be easy, but it's true," he said. "If we lose people, that's the one thing that we can't fix."
The governor confirmed that there was one child fatality in New York City this week from a mysterious COVID-19-related inflammatory syndrome which has sickened at least 73 children in the state. City and state health officials are investigating the conditions which resemble Kawasaki disease or toxic shock syndrome.
People should seek medical care immediately if their child has:
- Prolonged fever (more than 5 days)
- Difficulty feeding or is too sick to drink fluids
- Severe abdominal pain, diarrhea or vomiting
- A change in skin color — skin becoming pale, patchy or blue
- Trouble breathing or breathing very quickly
- Racing heart or chest pain
- Decreased amount or frequency of urine
- Lethargy, irritability or confusion
The COVID-related syndrome in kids proves that there's still much officials do not know about the virus. It's a grim reality that highlights the utmost need for caution, Cuomo said.
As pressure to reopen mounts, the state will continue to lean on data. Officials expect manufacturing and construction operations in minimally-congesting upstate counties to get back underway, starting on May 15.
Cuomo also addressed the economic cost of his New York PAUSE order, saying that a rush to a total reopen will only result in more pain and suffering.
The state on Thursday extended its moratorium on evictions through August 20. He is part of a bipartisan group of national governors who have called for federal aid to help states balance their budgets as part of the pandemic response.
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