(Updated at 3:30 p.m. on 3/8/20)
ALBANY, N.Y. — Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Sunday confirmed additional cases of novel coronavirus, bringing the statewide total to 105 confirmed cases in New York state.
Cuomo spoke during a briefing in Albany on the novel coronavirus situation. On Saturday, Cuomo declared a state of emergency to help New York “more quickly and effectively” contain the spread of the virus.
Of the 105 total individuals who have tested positive for the virus so far, the geographic breakdown is as follows:
- Nassau County: 5
- Rockland County: 2
- New York City: 12
- Westchester County: 82
- Suffolk County: 1
- Ulster County: 1
- Saratoga County: 2
“Remember: Stay informed and don’t let fear and anxiety overtake the facts. We’re constantly assessing the #Coronavirus situation and we’ll provide updates to the public as we get them,” Cuomo tweeted Sunday afternoon.
Additionally, the governor announced travel insurance companies and travel agents will offer New York residents and businesses the ability to purchase coverage when making travel plans that would allow them to cancel a trip for any reason, including for reasons related to COVID-19.
Cuomo earlier announced that a New York State interagency task force is continuing to coordinate with local governments and health-care partners to monitor and respond to the novel coronavirus outbreak. The task force has 14 members, including Dr. Howard Zucker, commissioner of the New York State Department of Health; Linda Lacewell, superintendent of the New York State Department of Financial Services; Melissa DeRosa, secretary to Gov. Cuomo; and RoAnn Destito, commissioner of the Office of General Services.
Destito, a Rome native, is a former member of the New York State Assembly from Rome and a graduate of Le Moyne College, per her biography on the state’s website.
Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com