After Two Days of Flattening, Coronavirus Deaths Jump Statewide

(Mike Groll/Office of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo)

April 7, 2020 By Allie Griffin

New York State experienced the largest number of COVID-19 deaths yesterday — with 731 succumbing to the deadly virus.

The spike was particularly disappointing since it followed two back-to-back days where the number dropped. Governor Andrew Cuomo had hoped that the rate was leveling off and the apex had been reached.

Cuomo said the 731 deaths reflects “the largest single day increase.”

While the increase disappointed, Cuomo said that the number of deaths is a “lagging” indicator and that he remains hopeful since the total number of hospitalizations is flattening. He noted that the people who die have typically been in the hospital for an extended period of time.

In total, 5,489 people have died from the virus statewide as of this morning.

He reminded attendees at his press conference this morning that the numbers represent real people who have died as a result of the virus.

“We talk about numbers, but that’s 731 people who we lost [yesterday],” he said. “Behind every one of those numbers is an individual, is a family, is a mother, is a father, is a sister, is a brother.”

However, the good news is that the total number of hospitalizations appears to be flattening and reaching a plateau, Cuomo reiterated. Daily ICU admissions and daily intubations are also down.

In New York City this morning, Mayor Bill de Blasio also shared hopeful news–noting that the number of coronavirus patients who need ventilators has decreased.

“The number of people showing up in our hospitals who need a ventilator — that situation has improved a bit in recent days,” de Blasio said at a press conference in Manhattan.

“For the first time in many days we did not see a major increase in the number of ventilators needed in [Health + Hospitals] hospitals yesterday,” de Blasio said.

The number was “pretty stable from Sunday into Monday,” he added.

De Blasio said it’s too early to draw any conclusions, but added that the good news is that the decrease in intubations gives the city more time to secure more ventilators for incoming patients as the week progresses.

Both Cuomo and de Blasio urged New Yorkers to continue to stay home and practice social distancing despite the hopeful news.

“This is a disease that, you know, if you take your eye off the ball, there’s nothing that stops it from reasserting,” de Blasio said.

As of 9:30 a.m. today, 3,202 people in New York City have died of the virus — a number greater than the 2,977 lives lost from the 9/11 attacks.

“No one should let down their guard, no one should stop taking the precautions,” he added.