Coronavirus Live Updates: Dr. Fauci talks schools reopening, NY hospitals see new low

NEW YORK (WABC) -- Dr. Anthony Fauci said in a coronavirus briefing with Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont Monday that he thinks it is important for schools to reopen, but the primary consideration should be the safety of the children and teachers.

Fauci said in order for this to happen, the schools have to make sure they're doing the right things to prevent an outbreak.

He also covered an array of topics, including mask safety, proper hygiene, types of spread, testing and reiterated a vaccine potentially becoming available toward the end of the year in 2021.

Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Monday that the city's infection rate was a low 1%. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced Sunday's hospitalizations and ICU numbers were the lowest since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.

He said 536 were hospitalized, while ICU numbers were down to 136.

Here are more of today's headlines:

NJ TRANSIT CASH FARES RESUME

New Jersey Transit resumed collecting cash fares on Monday and permitting front-door boarding on buses.

Protective barriers were installed in many buses to separate the drivers and customers. Buses that still don't have the barrier installed will still use rear-door boarding.

Riders are encouraged to buy tickets before boarding via the NJ Transit app or ticket vending machines. Everyone on board must wear a mask.

ZERO CORONAVIRUS DEATHS IN NASSAU COUNTY

Nassau County Executive Laura Curran said there has not been a coronavirus death in a week. However, she said they have seen a slight uptick in the percent testing positive.

"We've been through this crisis long enough to know deaths are a lagging indicator," Curran said.

CUOMO BLASTS TRUMP'S COVID RESPONSE

Governor Cuomo blasted President Trump and the federal government's COVID-19 response saying they should "hit the reset button." He listed a series of mistakes he said that the president made during the pandemic and said, "This was a colossal blunder, shame on all of you." Cuomo urged President Trump to take the virus seriously and said that he needs to "start with the truth." The governor compared the president's handling of the pandemic to the Vietnam War.

Governor Cuomo called on the president to "hit the reset button."

MORE BARS ISSUED SUMMONSES IN NY

The NY State Liquor Authority and state police are doing double duty and suspended the licenses of 19 more bars in New York. Governor Cuomo said, "We have a problem with young people and lack of compliance. We have a problem especially at bars and restaurants." Over the weekend, SLA visited 3,047 establishments and issued 106 violations. "All this to say to the bars and restaurants, follow the rules. Because if you dont follow the rules, chances are someone is going to be there to watch and check. If you are following the rules fine, if you are not following the rules, if I were you, I'd be worried. And thats the way it should be," Cuomo said.

NJ TIGHTENS RESTRICTIONS ON INDOOR GATHERINGS

New Jersey's statewide rate of transmission has nearly doubled over the last month to nearly 1.48. As a result, the state is retightening the restriction on indoor gatherings. Until further notice, indoor gatherings are now limited to 25% of a room's capacity with a MAXIMUM of 25 persons, down from 100.

Governor Murphy also announced face coverings will be required for all students at all times while inside a school building, regardless of social distancing, unless doing so would inhibit the individual's health.

COVID-19 BANKRUPTCIES

The cost of COVID-19 is more than some businesses can afford. This year, there have been many name-brand retailers, local shops and restaurants declaring bankruptcy or closing altogether.

OVER 4.6M CASES IN US

Meanwhile, there have been more than 4.6 million cases of the coronavirus across the United States. Texas has surpassed New York in the total number of coronavirus cases.

The CDC is now predicting nearly 30,000 more deaths nationwide from the virus in the next three weeks.

NYC BRINGING BACK OPEN RESTAURANTS PROGRAM

Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that 9,000 restaurants were taking part in the city's "Open Restaurants" program that allows them to offer outdoor dining and assistance to employees. The city estimates it has saved some 80,000 jobs with the program. The mayor said it would return in June 1, 2021 to further help restaurants in New York City.

NYC SUBMITS 'OUTLINE,' NOT REOPENING SCHOOLS PLAN: CUOMO ADVISOR

New York City submitted an "outline," not a plan, to reopen its public schools in the fall, a top advisor to Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Sunday, as the governor reiterated that parents and teachers will not go into school buildings without a detailed plan. Cuomo advisor Jim Malatras said that it "looks like an outline, not a plan," noting it was just 30 pages, while smaller school districts submitted much lengthier plans.

WHO WILL BE FIRST IN LINE FOR A COVID-19 VACCINE?

Who gets to be first in line for a COVID-19 vaccine? U.S. health authorities hope by late next month to have some draft guidance on how to ration initial doses, but it's a vexing decision.

US IS 'IN A NEW PHASE' OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC, BIRX WARNS

White House coronavirus task force leader Dr. Deborah Birx says widespread coronavirus infections in urban and rural America mark a "new phase" for the pandemic as she doubled down on calls to wear face masks and observe social distancing measures.

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COVID-19 Help, Information. Stimulus and Business Updates

UPDATES

New York City

New Jersey

Long Island

Westchester and Hudson Valley

Connecticut

7 On Your Side Investigates: Up to 4,000 coronavirus cases prevented by NYC contact tracers

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio along with local health experts have repeatedly called contact tracing a key element in preventing another spike of coronavirus in the city.

REOPENING INFORMATION

What's Open, What's Closed

Reopening New York State

Reopening New Jersey

Reopening Connecticut

Total count of NYC, Long Island COVID-19 cases based on patient address