Coronavirus: New York calls for help after soaring deaths

New York needs help. Epicenter of the Covid-19 epidemic in the United States, New York State announced on Saturday April 4, 630 new deaths in one day, its worst 24-hour toll, and issued an emergency appeal pending " the peak "of the epidemic. This state, which has the largest city in the country, now deplores 3,565 dead.

New York State has recorded more than 113,000 cases - including 63,000 for its metropolitan area - almost as many as in Italy or Spain, where the death tolls are heaviest.

"We have not yet reached the peak of the epidemic, but we are approaching it," said Democratic Governor Andrew Cuomo at a press conference, noting that the progression of the disease was particularly rapid. on Long Island and in neighboring New Jersey.

"On the one hand I wish we had reached the peak," he added. "But on the other hand I tell myself that it is good that we have not reached the peak because we are not ready".

To avoid congestion in hospitals, local authorities are engaged in a race against the clock to strengthen their capacity to cope with the expected influx of patients.

"When we first started, our first concern was to have enough beds, now we are focusing on equipment and personnel," said Andrew Cuomo, emphasizing the need for respirators for the most severe cases.

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"The Chinese state will donate 1,000 respirators to arrive at JFK airport today," he said, thanking Jack Ma, founder of Chinese online retail giant Alibaba. The state of Oregon on the west coast must also deliver 140 respirators, said Andrew Cuomo.

In addition, he said, the field hospital opened in a Manhattan conference center will ultimately be well devoted to the patients of Covid-19, and will be able to accommodate 2,500. The federal state will provide its personnel.

A call from the mayor to all caregivers

For his part, the mayor of New York, Bill de Blasio, called on health professionals to mobilize.

"Doctors, nurses, respiratory specialists ... to all those who are not already in the battle: we need you," said the Democrat in a video posted on his Twitter account.

To every doctor, nurse and health care professional: we need you.https: //t.co/Ahza9sLZt9 #AskMyMayor pic.twitter.com/W1ibVgk9k9

"We need 45,000 health professionals to join the fight in April and May to be able to get by," added Bill de Blasio.

At the state level, 85,000 people have already volunteered, including 22,000 from outside, according to Andrew Cuomo who for his part indicated that he would sign a decree authorizing medical students who must be graduates spring to work now.

"This is an exceptional time and New York needs help," he said.

"Given that we have skills that seem necessary and valuable at the moment, it was an easy decision to make," said Gabrielle Mayer, a fourth-year medical student at the University of New University, in a press conference. York, who will start his hospital internship in advance.

In a positive note, Andrew Cuomo noted that despite the rising death toll, two-thirds of New Yorkers hospitalized manage to recover and leave hospitals.

"We will eventually get out, we will reach the other side of the mountain. But we have to do what has to be done in the meantime," he added.

With AFP

We're going to get through this because we are #NewYorkTough. @convictsnyc pic.twitter.com/gA8tz6mIHB

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