US cases top 35,000 as New York governor says up to 80% of state could contract coronavirus
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The United States recorded 35,060 coronavirus cases with 1,514 new cases as of March 23, marking roughly 5% of cases worldwide.
A total of 457 Americans have died from the virus so far, with 150 fatalities recorded in New York state, followed by Washington with 95 deaths and 21 in New Jersey.
New York’s affected population
New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo estimates that up to 80% of the state’s population of almost 20 million will be infected with the deadly virus at some point in time. He also stated the coronavirus spread could last up to nine months or longer. “The timeline – nobody can tell you, it depends on how we handle it – but 40%, up to 80% of the population will wind up getting this virus, all we’re trying to do is slow the spread. But it will spread, it is that contagious.”
Widespread business closures are to be expected and longer stay-at-home orders will be ordered to fight the spike. The governor has instructed all non-essential workers to stay home and had unveiled two rules in his latest televised press briefing.
“Only essential businesses can have workers commuting to the job or on the job. Second rule: remain indoor to [the] greatest extent to protect physical and mental health.”
National Guard and medical assistance
More than 9,000 cases were reported in New York City alone. Earlier in the month, Cuomo deployed the US National Guard to a town outside of New York City, New Rochelle, to provide assistance in fighting the coronavirus spread in one of the largest clusters in the state.
US President Donald Trump has activated the National Guard in the three states worst-affected by the coronavirus pandemic – New York, Washington and California.
Trump also announced on March 22 that at least 7,300 National Guard members have been deployed to all 50 states, Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico to help fight the transmission of the coronavirus. Trump has labeled the pandemic a “war”.
The administration is also sending supplies such as gloves, N95 masks, hospital beds and gowns to coronavirus hotspots, including New York. “The federal government has deployed hundreds of tons of supplies from our national stockpile to locations with the greatest need in order to assist in those areas,” Trump said.
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