400 ventilators are coming to New York City, Mayor Bill de Blasio said Monday evening, as the number of confirmed cases in the city passes 13,000.

CORONAVIRUS CASE COUNT

Citywide, as of 6 p.m. Monday, there were 13,119 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 125 deaths.

The borough-by-borough breakdown, with some fluctuation in the numbers:

  • Queens: 3,848 confirmed cases
  • Brooklyn: 3,742
  • Manhattan: 2,646
  • The Bronx: 1,999
  • Staten Island: 877

Monday morning, Gov. Andrew Cuomo reported at least 20,875 confirmed coronavirus cases in New York state. That number was reported before the city’s total increased to 13,119.

A week ago, New York City's confirmed case total was 463. A week before that: 21.

The numbers of cases are expected to only increase exponentially over the coming weeks and months as more tests are conducted.

The city said at least 2,213 people were hospitalized as of 6 p.m. Monday — at least 525 of whom were in the ICU.

SUPPLIES ON THE MOVE

The mayor says the 400 ventilators are coming from the federal stockpile after he spoke with President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence about the city’s desperate need for more medical supplies to tackle the outbreak. De Blasio had estimated the city does not have enough to last past March.

Speaking at a news briefing early Monday evening, de Blasio stressed the city requires far more than 400 ventilators, estimating the need at a minimum of 15,000, but he called the influx crucial for the timebeing.

In the meantime, the mayor announced the city itself is sending more supplies to hospitals:

  • 200,000 N95 masks
  • 2 million surgical masks
  • 70,000 face shields
     


PLAYGROUNDS COULD CLOSE

Stressing the need for New Yorkers to limit their time outside and not gather in crowds — to decrease the chances of contracting COVID-19 — de Blasio said the NYPD and workers from other city agencies will go into parks and other areas of the city to break up groups.

At times over the past few days, despite Cuomo banning gatherings of any size in New York state, people have been seeing gathering in crowds.

As a result, the mayor says the city may close playgrounds if people continue to gather in crowds at those locations.

DOZENS OF INMATES RELEASED

De Blasio also announced 75 people were released from city jails Monday, and 200 would be reviewed for potential release Tuesday. Another 100 to 200 inmates will be reviewed for potential release.

An inmate’s health and the nature of their offense are key factors in determining who are released, the mayor said. Advocates have argued elderly inmates and those in poor health should be released if they have non-violent offenses.

Dozens of inmates at city jails have tested positive for the virus.

CITY AGENCIES TO CUT SPENDING

The mayor has initiated a so-called PEG program (Program to Eliminate the Gap) that will require city agencies to cut spending amid a gloomy financial outlook for New York due to the virus.

Agencies may need to roll back expenses futher in the future, the mayor said, but none will reduce spending for responding to COVID-19.

EDUCATION OUTLOOK

Meanwhile, Schools Chancellor Richard Carranza said 175,000 laptops, iPads, and Chromebooks have been handed out to city students so they can learn remotely while schools are closed until at least April 20. In an interview with NY1 last week, Carranza estimated about 300,000 students will need Wi-Fi-enabled laptops and tablets for as long as schools are closed because of the coronavirus pandemic.

But the chancellor overall gave a glowing assessment of Day One of remote learning: “What I saw today was nothing short of incredible.”

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