Gov. Cuomo: 779 people died from COVID-19 on Tuesday, greatest single-day toll yet

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is holding a briefing on the COVID-19 response.

News 12 Staff

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Apr 8, 2020, 3:06 PM

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Updated 1,471 days ago

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Gov. Andrew Cuomo offered some good news and bad news during his daily COVID-19 briefing on Wednesday.

"The bad news is actually terrible," he said of the 779 deaths the virus caused on Tuesday – the largest single-day total yet. He says flags in the state will be flown at half-mast out of respect to the victims.

MORE: LIVE BLOG - Coronavirus updates from the tri-state area and beyond
TRACKER: New York, New Jersey, Connecticut coronavirus cases and deaths

At least 6,268 New Yorkers have died so far.

But, Gov. Cuomo also said that the guidance on social distancing is working. He says the numbers are moving in the right direction in terms of hospitalizations and ICU patients. He says the curve is starting to flatten due to the actions New Yorkers are taking. He urged those actions to continue.

“Now is not the time to be complacent,” said the governor.

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Gov. Cuomo also announced a partnership between the state Department of Health and Northwell Health to bring more testing to minority communities and to research racial disparity in the health care system.

New York residents will be able to vote with an absentee ballot during the June 23 primary election and unemployment benefits are being extended for an additional 13 weeks.

More notes on the news conference are below:

"What we have done and what we are doing is working," Cuomo says, of social distancing and measures the state has taken to "flatten the curve."
There is more capacity in the hospital system than ever before.
"This is not a time to get complacent."
"The bad news is actually terrible." There were 779 COVID-19 deaths in New York on Tuesday, the largest single-day total yet.
"This virus attacked the vulnerable. It attacked the weak." Gov. Cuomo calls on residents to protect those at risk.
Gov. Cuomo: There were 2,753 deaths at the World Trade Center on 9/11. The COVID-19 outbreak has killed 6,268 New Yorkers so far. Flags around the state will be flown at half-mast.
Gov. Cuomo says the pandemic has taught the state much about the capacity and preparedness of the public health system. It also has also pushed technology forward in terms of the health system, economy and the court system.
Gov. Cuomo on disparity in health system: "Why is it the poorest people always pay the highest price?"
New York is also extending the period covered by unemployment benefits for an additional 13 weeks.
Gov. Cuomo says all NY voters will be able to use absentee ballots for the June 23 primary.
Gov. Cuomo says state is starting a social media campaign: "Who are you staying home for?"

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