Gov. Andrew Cuomo warned on Monday that the sharp rise in corona virus cases could shut down New York businesses and public gatherings on another large scale if not stopped.
“If we don’t change our path, we will be shut down,” Cuomo said. “Yes, we are trying to change course.”
This warning was linked to the very best news of the day, as the first non-vaccine for the corona virus was given to an important care nurse in Queens.
But at the same time, there has been an increase in COVID-19 cases in New York and other parts of the country by the end of the year.
A total of 5,712 people have now been hospitalized due to the virus, while 83 have been diagnosed with COVID-19 deaths.
Cuomo said the Finger Lakes region has the highest number of hospitalizations in the state at 0.06% of its population.
Cuomo has been warning about the ability of hospitals in recent weeks to restrict the ability of a regional healthcare system to manage loads to new regulations for businesses.
Already, the government is imposing restrictions such as finishing out meals in New York City and restricting capacity in restaurants elsewhere in the state starting today.
Cuomo warned that if the increase in COVID-19 cases did not slow down, an additional 11,000 would be hospitalized in New York and another 3,500 could die from the virus.
At the height of the epidemic during the first spring, more than 18,000 people were hospitalized in New York.