'We remain the epicenter': Mayor de Blasio says 366 NYC residents have died from COVID-19

There are 25,573 positive COVID-19 cases in New York City, 366 residents have died.

News 12 Staff

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Mar 27, 2020, 7:19 PM

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Updated 1,738 days ago

'We remain the epicenter': Mayor de Blasio says 366 NYC residents have died from COVID-19

Mayor Bill de Blasio put down a “marker for the White House” on Friday, saying that April 5 would be a critical point for getting more support into New York City.

"We are not where we need to be yet in terms of the support we need from Washington," said the mayor. He says he spoke to the White House and Defense Secretary Mark Esper about mobilizing the military to help in the relief effort.

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"I've asked them for help with additional medical personnel as quickly as possible from our military. From the civilian sector,” said Mayor de Blasio.

As it stands Friday evening, there are 25,573 positive COVID-19 cases in New York City, with 366 total deaths.

The mayor also said that as many as 500,000 New Yorkers may have lost their jobs as part of the COVID-19 crisis. With that backdrop, he said he is working the state on a rent freeze and suspension of rent guidelines for the rest of 2020.

The mayor lauded all of the donations from all across the country and says anyone that would like to help can call 833-NYC-0040.

More notes on the news conference are below:

Mayor Bill de Blasio lauds the health care workers that are in "battlefield-type conditions compared to a few weeks ago." He says they are working with skill, passion and compassion.
The mayor says he spoke with President Trump and Defense Secretary Esper about personnel needs in hospitals. "I've asked them for help with additional medical personnel as quickly as possible from our military. From the civilian sector."
Mayor de Blasio says Sunday, April 5 is a "decisive moment for the city of New York." He says that is when he gets worried about "everything we are going to need" from people power to equipment. He says he laid that marker down for the White House.
Mayor de Blasio: "If things get better, I'll be the first to say it, but I don't want people to think this will be easy, when it's not going to be. I think people need to be ready to battle and the hard-truth helps people."
There are 25,573 positive COVID-19 cases in New York City, 366 residents have died. "We remain the epicenter of the COVID crisis in the United States of America."
The mayor says as many as 500,000 New Yorkers may have lost their jobs. He compares it to the level only seen during the Great Depression.
"We are not where we need to be yet in terms of the support we need from Washington." He says an economic recovery can't happen unless "our people are made whole."
Mayor de Blasio says a rent freeze is necessary for those in rent-stabilized housing. "The only way to do that is with help from the state of New York." The mayor says he will request the opportunity to suspend the rent guidelines process for 2020.
The mayor says he wants to thank the federal government for sending the city 2,500 ventilators. But he reiterates the need for 15,000.
Mayor de Blasio says President Trump was right to invoke the Defense Production Act related to General Motors. "That's a step in the right direction." He says more companies need to be producing ventilators.
"The military need to be mobilized fully...This has to be a team effort...The commander-in-chief needs to make that call."
Being distributed today in New York City: 1 million surgical masks, 200,000 N95 masks, 50,000 face shields, 40,000 isolation gowns, 10,000 boxes of gloves. More deliveries will be made every day, the mayor says.
Anyone who wants to donate much-needed supplies can do so by calling 833-NYC-0040.
The mayor says Elmhurst Hospital needs more support as it has seen the biggest influx of patients. He says 64 additional clinicians were sent there on Friday. More medical professionals will be sent there in the coming days.
The mayor says a decision will be made this weekend regarding fines for anyone noncompliant with social distancing measures. They could be up to $500.

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