New York City counted through Saturday night 8,115 positive cases of coronavirus, with Brooklyn being the county with the most cases, followed by Queens.
In total, 60 people have died in the city from the coronavirus, according to official figures.
The breakdown of cases by county is as follows:
- Brooklyn 2,484
- Queens 2,254
- Manhattan 1,868
- The Bronx 1,071
- Staten Island 437
Of all the positive cases, there are currently 1,450 people hospitalized, of which 370 are in Intensive Care Units (ICUs).
In part, the increase in positive cases is explained by the fact that many more people have been tested for the coronavirus. But it also reflects a simple reality: the virus outbreak has spread throughout the five counties and hence the dramatic measures by the authorities to shut down much of the economic and social activity in order to prevent more people from becoming infected.
The big problem with the growing number of cases (in addition to the personal and family tragedy of each person) is that the health system is being overwhelmed. The United States – and New York in particular – has a world-class healthcare system, but one that is not designed to suddenly receive hundreds – and soon thousands – who need artificial respirators and other medical equipment.
This explains what Governor Cuomo said that the state is literally all over the world looking for ventilators (respirators), masks, special suits and other equipment that are needed not only to treat the sick but so that medical personnel can work without risk of infection.
The Saturday night numbers certainly won’t last long. As experts have warned, they will continue to rise.
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