New York Coronavirus: State OKs $40 Million Emergency Spending

ALBANY, NY — The New York State Senate and Assembly passed a bill Monday night authorizing $40 million in emergency spending to help battle the spread of the new coronavirus. Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed it Tuesday as he announced the first case of "community spread" COVID-19, a New Rochelle resident in serious condition in a New York City hospital.

"Little did I know that this morning I would wake up to find that the county that I live in, in the city I represent, there is an active case, " said Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins (D-35) at the signing. "I had to tell that to my daughter on her way to work at a hospital and because of our actions I was able to tell her with confidence that we are preparing to step up, to lead."

The $40 million will allow the State to hire additional staff and procure equipment and any other resources necessary to respond to the evolving situation.

A state lab in Albany confirmed that the Westchester County resident tested positive for the highly contagious virus.

The 50-year-old man — an attorney who works in NYC — was previously a patient at NewYork-Presbyterian Lawrence Hospital. A review of his travel didn't reveal a direct link to countries on the watch list, including China, health officials said.

The New Rochelle man's family includes a wife and four children, two of whom are in Israel, Westchester County Executive George Latimer said. The family is under self-quarantine in their home.

One of the children, a daughter, attends SAR Academy in Riverdale. It closed for the day. One son is in college. Two other private schools — Westchester Day School in Mamaroneck and Westchester Torah Academy in White Plains — also closed for the day.

SEE: 2nd Coronavirus Case Confirmed In NY; Family In Quarantine

Cuomo also said he would amend the paid sick leave budget proposal to protect people from being terminated who have to stay home from work because they're being isolated or quarantined as a result of the novel coronavirus.

The governor also announced SUNY institutions will have students who are in study abroad programs in countries with high prevalence of novel coronavirus come home and will review all study abroad programs ahead of potential expanded travel restrictions by the federal government.

"Look at Washington, we have so much going on and you have Washington fighting with themselves. New York is the exact opposite. In one day both the Senate called back everyone to do the vote, the Assembly stayed late at night to work through the vote. And I can't tell you how confident that should make New Yorkers feel because here you need government to work, my friends," Cuomo said. "You need competent government that steps up and gets the job done, even when it's challenging and even when we're going down a path that no one has gone down before, which is where we are."

On Saturday, the FDA approved New York's Wadsworth Center's use of its own test to begin novel coronavirus testing.

The renowned center — the research-intensive public health laboratory housed within the State Department of Health — is partnering with hospitals to expand surge testing capacity to 1,000 tests per day statewide for the novel coronavirus. The Wadsworth Center will provide the hospitals with instructions on how to replicate the state's test, as well as help them purchase some of the equipment necessary to develop and validate the test.

Later Tuesday in an interview on MSNBC, Cuomo said people's fears are exaggerated.

"First of all we expect to have a large number of people who test positive for the coronavirus. We expect that. You look at the way the virus is transmitted, look at the experience in China, we expect that. So stop this manic obsession on one case, one case, one case. We're going to have dozens and dozens of cases. That's going to happen. Don't be surprised," he said.

"I believe people are more afraid of this than they need to be. It has been politicized. They don't know who to believe. It sounds like coronavirus is a death sentence. I mean we went through Ebola, which is a much more deadly virus than this. And this coronavirus having twice the mortality rate of the regular flu is not good, but this is a manageable situation. That's where we are. We have 15,000 people in hospitals today in New York with the flu."

Cuomo said people should expect a large number of people will get the virus, but most of those cases will be mild.

"80 percent will self-resolve," he said. "We have to be very careful about senior citizen populations, nursing homes, people who are immune compromised or have an underlying illness, especially respiratory illness in the first place. That's where we have to pay attention."

For example, the Westchester resident has an underlying respiratory condition, officials said.

State health officials said everyday preventative actions can help stop the spread of this and other respiratory viruses:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
• Individuals who are experiencing symptoms and may have traveled to areas of concern or have been in contact with somebody who has traveled to these areas should call ahead to their healthcare provider before presenting for treatment.

New Yorkers can call the state hotline at 1-888-364-3065, where experts can answer questions regarding the novel coronavirus. In addition, the Health Department has a dedicated website which was created as a resource with updated information for New Yorkers.