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NEW YORK - FOX 5 NY is updating this blog with the latest developments on the coronavirus outbreak so you can get the information in one spot.
7:48 PM: After two months of frantic response to the coronavirus, the White House is planning to shift President Donald Trump’s public focus to the burgeoning efforts aimed at easing the economic devastation caused by the pandemic.
7:10 PM: A Louisiana pastor is holding services in his church, defying house arrest orders that followed an assault charge related to his decision to hold mass gatherings in defiance of public health orders during the coronavirus pandemic.
6:35 PM: The NYPD is reporting that just 3,166 uniformed members of the department are out sick, accounting for just under 9 percent of the NYPD's uniformed workforce, down from a high of 19.8 percent. So far, 4,837 members of the NYPD have tested positive for coronavirus, but 3,530 members have returned to work.
However, the NYPD's death toll rose to 37 on Sunday, with the reported cornavirus-related deaths of Principal Administrative Associate Josephine Hill, a 33-year NYPD veteran, and Associate Traffic Enforcement Agent Mohammad Ahsan, a 15-year veteran of the department.
5:46 PM: The Met overcame a stage silenced by the coronavirus pandemic to link singers for an at-home global gala. A starry array of classical music’s biggest names sang live on Skype from their living rooms across 13 nations.
4:55 PM: Spain's children have been released from a six-week home confinement as the country reins in its coronavirus outbreak. Spain allowed 5.8 million children under 14 years old to take a short walk with a parent on Sunday. That ended 44 days of complete seclusion for the youngsters.
3:56 PM: British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is returning to work after recovering from a coronavirus infection that put him in intensive care, with his government facing growing criticism over the deaths and disruption the virus has caused.
2:52 PM: An Illinois man is suing President Donald Trump and other high-ranking Republicans for denying stimulus checks to American citizens who are married to immigrants who don’t have social security numbers.
2:10 PM: With limited supplies of coronavirus tests available, the Pentagon is focusing first on testing those performing duties deemed most vital to national security. Atop the list are the men and women who operate the nation's nuclear forces, some counterterrorism forces, and the crew of a soon-to-deploy aircraft carrier.
1:29 PM: The U.S. Census Bureau wants more time to wrap up the once-a-decade count because of the coronavirus, and that could delay the divisive process of drawing new legislative districts.
12:56 PM: Cuomo says that retail and hospitality are among the most problematic sectors of business to figure out in terms of reopening.
12:48 PM: Cuomo says that the state is looking at purchasing food that farmers in upstate New York are dumping or destroying to help feed people in downstate.
12:42 PM: Cuomo again says that any plans for reopening the state depend on mass testing.
12:41 PM: Cuomo says that Upstate New York could begin to reopen as early as May 15 in phases, ahead of downstate.
12:28 PM: Cuomo says that the L train rehabilitation project has been completed and is now ‘open today.’
12:25 PM: New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has announced 3,730 new positive coronavirus cases, bringing the state’s total to 109,038. He also announced 75 new deaths, bringing the statewide total to 5,938.
12:23 PM: Cuomo says that he doesn’t just want to reopen the state but to take the lessons learned from the crisis and use them to make the state better.
12:18 PM: Cuomo says that all the work done to flatten the curve in New York could be lost in a matter of days if people are not careful.
12:16 PM: Cuomo says New York is consulting with local leaders in the region to formulate a plan to reopen.
12:10 PM: Phase 1 of reopening will involve construction and manufacturing in low-risk business.
Phase 2 would be a business-by-business analysis, seeing how essential a service a business provides and how much risk are you incurring by reopening a business. Cuomo says businesses will have to consider how they will operate in the “new normal.”
Cuomo says there will be two weeks between phases to monitor effects.
12:08 PM: Cuomo: Federal guidance says that state and regional hospitalization rate must decline for 14 days, officials are closely monitoring both. The state will reopen in phases, using regional analysis and determinations.
12:06 PM: Governor Andrew Cuomo says that the decline in hospitalizations is continuing and the state is where it was on March 31.
Cuomo says that on April 25 there were 367 more COVID-19 deaths in New York, compared to 437 on April 25.
11:42 AM: Sen. Charles Schumer says fake antibody and COVID-19 tests are being sold online. He is calling on the FDA to ramp up policing of the online tests, make public which tests are valid and begin fining offenders selling the fake tests.
Schumer says that inaccurate testing will endanger lives and hamper recovery efforts.
10:35 AM: De Blasio ends briefing.
10:33 AM: De Blasio: To conclude, we have a lot to do right away. New Yorkers have the ability to do great things. We are going to figure out how to rebuild and bring them back stronger than ever, in that same spirit of the new deal. I know we will achieve it.
10:28 AM: De Blasio asked if anyone who tests positive if they will ever not be allowed back to their family.
De Blasio: Some people do and some people don't have the ability for self-isolation. That's where the hotels come in. What the test and trace approach means, can they have proper isolation. If they can't, the hotel is available.
10:23 AM: De Blasio asked about open streets plan that city council is considering. The waterfront is crowded. They can't stay away six feet. There is no room. And what is the bigger summer plan?
De Blasio: We will have a bigger summer plan for sure. We are talking about the ways to address the issues around the parks. I want to emphasize to New Yorkers, face coverings, have them on all the time. Every member of the family needs a face covering. Anything will do. I see families together, which is acceptable. We will be working as the weather gets warmer at new options.
10:22 AM: De Blasio asked about Rosevelt Island hospital update and an outbreak of COVID and how many people have died there.
De Blasio: We will get that to you... and what happened there.
10:19 AM: De Blasio asked about people in task force and sectoral councils and why Chirlane McCray was named a leader.
De Blasio: We will be putting out the names. The first lady added a set of ideas about the urgency that was needed. The group will be focused on all communities of color.
10:17 AM: De Blasio asked about the cancellation of rent.
De Blasio: I don't think we want to compound the problem by saying that if no one addresses the problem it will be ok. Landlords need to pay the bills, too. My first concern is tenant. I want to make sure their buildings are running. That state really needs to act quickly. Allow security deposit to pay rent. Create a plan for tenants to pay back later when they have money. Make sure no evictions happen.
10:13 AM: De Blasio asked about the city's plan if they don't get federal aid and state cuts to local government. What's the plan for public transit?
De Blasio: If we think something has to be added, we can do that. The state runs the MTA and we want to be mindful of that. That's going to be a big piece of what a fair recovery looks like. These groups are about a restart but transportation will be a big part as we go further. State budget- I am very, very concerned. I want to empathize with the governor, we're both pounding away for a stimulus four and replace the lost revenue. Could Washington do the right thing? Yes they could. I have spoke to Speaker Pelosi and have confidence she will do what she can for NYC. If NYC can't provide basic services, there won't be a restart.
10:13 AM: De Blasio makes statement in Spanish.
10:12 AM: De Blasio: We will be back. Will we be normal again? Normal isn't good enough for our future. I am aspiring to something different and better. We have 20 months in this administration to run through the finish line.
10:10 AM: De Blasio: Reviewing the restart. Today is another good day. Daily admitted to hospitals for suspected COVID-19 is unchanged at 144. Number in ICUs has gone down to 768. Positive down to 29 percent. Public health labs up to 46 percent.
10:08 AM: De Blasio: We need to look at the bigger changes. The fourth thing I will do I will formulate a charter revision commission. If there ever was a breakpoint moment in the city's history, this is it. The commission will hold hearings all over the city. I want this group to really think about the big picture. Those are four building blocks to get us through the immediate decisions and that broader, fair recovery.
9:58 AM: De Blasio: I am appointing a Fair Recovery Task Force. It's an extraordinary group of New Yorkers who all have devoted their lives to build a better New York City. First, Patrick Gaspard, CEO of The Open Society. Second, Dick Ravitch, he helped this city survive the fiscal crisis of 1972. Jennifer Jones Austin, a leader in our non-profit sector. She is the fourth generation of faith and social justice leaders in her family. And, her co-chair Carl Weisbrod, served as city planning commission in my administration. Henry Garrido, leads our largest municipal union. He also comes from the immigrant experience, his family from the Dominican Republic. Maria Torres Spring, VP US Operations, the Ford Foundation, she lead three agencies. She understands what its like to serve people who need the help now. Liz Neumark, CEO of Great Performances. What she did was ask how do we change business into an engine for change? Finally, Fred Wilson. Some consider him the godfather of the NYC tech scene. Because of Fred, every child in NYC Schools is getting computer science education. An amazing collection of New Yorkers. I am going that they come up with an immediate product by June 1. It's going to be the first outline on how we build that smart outline. There work will continue on in the months ahead.
9:54 AM: De Blasio: We are finally seeing some progress from the federal government. We see the federal government focusing on wealthy corporations ... and not those who are struggling.
9:52 AM: De Blasio: We have to get people back to work. Whether they work on Wall Street or they work in a bodega, they need to get back to work.
9:50 AM: De Blasio: Racial inclusion and equity. Making sure we address this painful reality. The task force will be led by First Lady Chirlane McCray. This task force will focus on those issues.
9:48 AM: De Blasio: There will be four Sector Advisory Councils: There will be one from labor. Non-profits and social services. Faith-based council. And educational and vocational training. That's immediate.
9:44 AM: De Blasio: How do we restart? The people who will help us will bring perspective. What kind of cleaning protocols will businesses need? How many customers can be there at a given time? All that information will need to be filled in. This is going to move fast. We have to be ready when the indicators tell us. It's a series of careful, smart moves and you test each one along the way.
9:43 AM: De Blasio: When you think about restart, think about those indicators going down and testing and tracing. When we restart. We restart when we have evidence. We will focus on health and safety of New Yorkers, protecting our healthcare system and making our moves piece by piece, and testing to make sure it is a strong foothold.
9:41 AM: De Blasio: I am going to talk about a bigger effort to create a fairer recovery.
9:37 AM: De Blasio: Now we are going to come back stronger and fairer. We are not going to allow the disparities that existed. This is going to be a long effort.
9:34 AM: Mayor Bill de Blasio holds coronavirus briefing. Watch at this link: https://fox5ny.com/live
9:14 AM: From the NYC Office of Emergency Management:
Show your support for NYC’s grocery workers: Only shop when you need to, wear a face covering & keep at least 6 feet from others.
8:48 AM: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Friday warned doctors against prescribing a malaria drug touted by President Donald Trump for treating the new coronavirus except in hospitals and research studies.
MORE: https://www.fox5ny.com/news/fda-warns-of-heart-risks-with-trump-promoted-malaria-drug