NY Coronavirus Death Toll Breaks Grim Record In Single Day: Cuomo

NEW YORK CITY — A record 731 New Yorkers died of novel coronavirus in 24 hours even as Gov. Andrew Cuomo said the disease might be reaching its plateau.

The sad tally increased by the highest amount since the state started battling the crisis more than one month ago, Cuomo said at an Albany press conference Tuesday.

"A lot of pain again today for many New Yorkers," the governor said. "This virus is very good at what it does, it kills vulnerable people."

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The death toll broke another record Saturday when 640 New Yorkers were reported to have died, state data show. With 5,489 deaths, New York accounts for almost half the national toll of about 11,000.

Cuomo said those who died were likely people who had received weeks of care, which meant the rising toll was a “lagging indicator" of the virus's spread.

Both Cuomo and Bill de Blasio noted hospital and intensive care unit admissions have decreased in recent days, which the New York City mayor called "very good news."

Cuomo also announced New York State's Health department had developed a rapid antibody test that its requested Federal Drug Administration approval to expand in labs across the tristate area.

Finally, Cuomo said he would call on the federal government for another stimulus plan to address a dire economic situation in New York State.

"The past legislation did good for the nation, I have no doubt, but it was not fair to New York and that has to be remedied," Cuomo said. "Our revenues just collapsed."

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