ALBANY, N.Y. - Gov. Andrew Cuomo says the number of deaths related to the coronavirus is increasing as more and more patients are placed on ventilators for extended periods of time.

So far, at least 385 deaths have been reported in the state.

Citywide, there were 23,112 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 365 deaths, Mayor Bill de Blasio tweeted around 7 p.m. Thursday.

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

  • Queens: 7,362 confirmed cases
  • Brooklyn: 6,095
  • The Bronx: 4,243
  • Manhattan: 4,046
  • Staten Island: 1,330
  • Unknown: 36

Thursday morning, Gov. Andrew Cuomo reported 37,258 confirmed coronavirus cases in New York state. That number was reported before the city’s total increased to 23,112.

A week ago, New York City's confirmed case total was 3,615. A week before that, it was 95.

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

The city said 10,452 New York City residents who are age 50 and over have tested positive for the virus.

10,124 (44 percent) of all cases are women, while 12,948 are men.

The governor says the death toll is not unexpected, noting the average time a non-COVID-19 patient needs a ventilator is three to four days. For COVID-19 patients, it's 11 to 21 days.

Cuomo says demand for those ventilators is still a concerning issue.

He says the technology to "split" ventilators has been approved, so two patients can use one piece of equipment.

The state is also converting anesthesia machines to work as ventilators.

The governor says the state is looking to build out more hospital space as the number of coronavirus patients requiring care, especially intensive care, grows.

As of Thursday, 5,327 COVID-19 patients in New York were hospitalized. Cuomo says the rate of hospitalization for patients increased 40 percent in just one day. 1,290 patients are in ICU.

Cuomo says the total number of tests performed in the state to date is 122,104. On Wednesday alone, the state performed 18,650 tests.

 

Cuomo says the goal is to have a 1,000 bed overflow in each of the five boroughs in New York City.

When asked about availability of personal protection equipment for hospital workers, Cuomo said the state is stocked and that there is no short-term shortage.

"Equipment and PPE is an ongoing issue," he said. "Right now, we do have enough PPE for the immediate future. The New York City hospital system confirm that, so we have enough in stock now for the immediate need."

Citing a report that health care workers at Mount Sinai West were using trash bags as gown shields, Cuomo said any hospital in the city that needs PPEs will be provided them immediately upon request.

On the financial front, the governor says the $2 trillion stimulus bill passed in the Senate failed to address New York's needs by only providing about $5 billion for pandemic expenses.

Cuomo says the loss of revenue to New York is estimated between $10 billion to $15 billion.