Coronavirus Updates: NY hospitals, group homes to allow visitors

ByEyewitness News WABC logo

Wednesday, June 17, 2020

NY hospitals, group homes to allow visitors

Hospitals and group homes in New York state will be allowed to welcome visitors as the coronavirus pandemic wanes, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced Tuesday.

NEW YORK (WABC) -- Hospitals and group homes in New York state will be allowed to welcome visitors as the coronavirus pandemic wanes, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced Tuesday. Visitation at hospitals begins immediately, while group home visitation starts Friday.

Visitors are still not allowed in nursing homes.

"I understand the demand, I understand the desire, but the health department doesn't think it justifies the risk at this point," Cuomo said.

NEW YORK STATE

New York state has reached the lowest number of hospitalizations and deaths on the three-day average since this pandemic started, as more of the region opens further.

Five regions on Monday entered Phase 3, which has now been modified to allow gatherings of up to 25 people. Western New York entered Phase 3 on Tuesday, with the Capital Region slated for Wednesday. Long Island and the Mid-Hudson region remain in Phase 2, while New York City remains in Phase 1.

The coronavirus transmission rate on Monday was at 1.2% for New York City, 1.0% on Long Island, and 1.0% in the Hudson Valley.

"We have done over 3 million tests in New York state, more tests than any other state, and more tests than any country per capita," Cuomo said.

The state also released the results of its antibody tests. It has taken 12,000 samples with most regions reporting some degree of increase, although Western New York was on the decline. From May 1 to June 13 statewide, the amount of people testing positive for antibodies has gone up a point from 12.3% to 13.4%.

NEW YORK CITY

Mayor Bill de Blasio said that the Testing and Tracing Corps in New York City is expected to monitor some 250,000 people if the percentage of those testing positive doesn't change this summer. They will use $4 million to distribute to community organizations to aid in their efforts.

City residents can call 844-NYC-4NYC if they need a test or have tested positive and need assistance. The city remained well below the required thresholds for hospitalizations, ICU patients, and percentage of people testing positive.

NEW JERSEY

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy said that there was overwhelming compliance from the public as the state entered Phase 2 on Monday. The governor said that he had dinner with his family outdoors and took a walk on the boardwalk. He noted that he'd like to see more people wearing the masks on the boardwalk.

Anthony Johnson takes a look at restaurants in New Jersey on day two of the state's Phase 2 reopening.

On Monday, there were 470 new positive COVID-19 test results for a statewide total of 167,426. Murphy said 51 additional deaths raised the toll to 12,727.

The state also released the guidelines for self-care businesses like hair and nail salons to reopen next Monday.

CONNECTICUT

Connecticut enters Phase 2 of reopening on Wednesday. That means the opening of hotels and indoor recreation, including movie theaters, nail salons and gyms.

US OPEN

The U.S. Open will be held in Queens, without fans, from August 31 to September 13. The USTA will take extraordinary precautions to protect players and staff, including robust testing, additional cleaning, extra locker room space, and dedicated housing & transportation.

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