Mayor: New York City prepared to deal with coronavirus

Mayor Bill de Blasio says New York City is well-prepared to deal with the coronavirus, but he wants some help from the federal government.

News 12 Staff

Feb 26, 2020, 10:16 PM

Updated 1,760 days ago

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Mayor Bill de Blasio says New York City is well-prepared to deal with the coronavirus, but he wants some help from the federal government.
There are still no confirmed cases of coronavirus in New York City. Officials say many of the efforts from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention so far have been effective in keeping the virus at bay, but more needs to be done if by chance it makes its way to the city.
Right now, de Blasio says there are 1,200 beds available at various hospitals citywide for any patients diagnosed with coronavirus. De Blasio says it's too early to tell if that would be enough. He also says he wants federal funding to provide 300,000 more masks.
The mayor adds that travel restrictions should be broadened to include other countries such as Iran, Italy, Hong Kong, South Korea and Taiwan.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo is also calling on the federal government to authorize the Wadsworth Center and NYC Public Health Lab to test for the virus, allowing for expanded testing capacity and expedited test results. The New York City Department of Health also wants to partner with the CDC for testing.
De Blasio is urging people to get tested if they have any symptoms, which appear similar to the flu.
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