There are now 105 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in New York state, according to Governor Andrew Cuomo at a press conference Sunday.
The cases include two people in Saratoga County, the first outside of the greater New York City metropolitan region and Long Island. The cases identified Saturday, Cuomo said, are located in New York City and Westchester and Saratoga counties.
They include a pharmacist and a woman who interacted with a positive coronavirus case in Pennsylvania during a conference in Miami, Cuomo said. Those two people are the cases in Saratoga County. Of the 105 total individuals in New York state tested positive for COVID-19, Cuomo identified those as:
- 82 people in Westchester
- 12 people in New York City
- Five people in Nassau
- Two people in Rockland
- Two people in Saratoga
- One person in Suffolk
- One person in Ulster
The state of emergency declared earlier on Saturday, Cuomo said, will enable state officials greater flexibility in responding to the spread of the virus. Specifically, Cuomo said the state of emergency declaration allows the below directions and more:
- Expedited procurement of testing supplies, equipment, cleaning supplies, hand sanitizer, and other essential resources
- Allowance of qualified professionals other than doctors and nurses to conduct testing
- Expedited personnel onboarding
- Expedited leasing of lab space
- Allowance for EMS personnel to transport patients to quarantine locations other than just hospitals
- A clear basis for price gouging and enforcement investigation
Cuomo said the level of concern for the general public remains low, but he remains most concerned about an outbreak in a nursing home or assisted living community, like in Washington state.
"That is what I worry about," Cuomo said. "That's what keeps me up at night."
Cuomo said elderly people and those with compromised immune symptoms should not attend large gatherings. New Rochelle in Westchester County should avoid holding large gatherings after an outbreak there has sickened dozens of people with confirmed cases. Cuomo said some cases are “community spread.” Right now, the state is spending $30 million a week.
Cuomo reiterated the importance of voluntary quarantine. The governor said if New Yorkers don’t follow the rules, they are being “disrespectful” and putting “[their] community at risk.”
Additionally, law enforcement is monitoring price gouging. Cuomo warns business owners could lose their license if caught price gouging. Cuomo also said the Division of Consumer Protection started an online consumer complaint form, where New Yorkers can report possible price gouging and/or concerns about improper delivery of quantity. Credible complaints will be forwarded to the NYS attorney general's office.
Cuomo also noted six insurance companies will offer "cancel for any reason" coverage to travelers and those include Allianz, Nationwide, Starr Indemnity, Berkshire, Crum & Forster, and Zurich.
During Friday's briefing, Cuomo assured New Yorkers travel insurance companies and agents will allow travelers to purchase coverage enabling them to cancel a trip for any reason.
The Department of Financial Services has also directed, Cuomo said, New York state travel insurance issuers to "proactively" let travelers know of their policies and coverage.