Schumer works to speed up COVID-19 testing, while state implements regulations to slow virus spread
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and fellow Democrats hold a news conference to discuss emergency paid sick leave to assist people whose jobs are impacted by the coronavirus outbreak, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, March 11, 2020. From left are Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Md., Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio,Schumer, Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
NEW YORK – On Wednesday, U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer held a tele-conference to discuss the actions he has requested from the federal government to improve testing and resources related to COVID-19, while NY Governor Andrew Cuomo works to limit the spread by instituting limits on public gatherings.
On Friday The Chenango County Department of Health reported there are currently no confirmed cases in Chenango County or any currently being monitored.
There have been several local community events in Chenango County that have already been canceled. DCMO BOCES canceled a large networking event that was intended to connect youth with job opportunities through UHS. The Norwich Community Soup Kitchen has closed until April 14th. Several local sports and school events have also been canceled.
Recently Schumer aided in securing $8.3 billion dollar deal to fund the federal response to the Coronavirus. Of that fund $950 million went to support state and local health agencies.
However, a lack of testing supplies and lag in turn around for test results has Schumer "demanding" corrective measures from the federal government.
“When it comes to what we need most in New York; the access, the expansion and the much faster automation for COVID-19 testing, the administration remains stuck in the mud and spinning its wheels,” said Schumer. “Congress just delivered billions of dollars to the agencies that need it, but we want those dollars to fuel a come-from-behind response that fixes the disturbing gaps in our testing system."
Currently in New York, COVID-19 has made the biggest impact in New Rochelle, with about 108 positive cases of the virus. Because of the spread, the city has implemented a one mile containment. Schumer said during the tele-conference the Mayor of New Rochelle attributes the outbreak to the lack of testing kits for the area.
"This is going to be a problem that will continue. There will most likely be more towns that will require containment," said Schumer. "We need action right now, because without action this virus is going to continue to spread."
Specifically, Schumer is demanding the administration for five things immediately to improve the ability to test for the coronavirus in New York:
1. Expedite the approval of labs who are ready and willing to provide testing. Every lab that is able to provide testing should be up and running as soon as possible.
2. Provide daily updates on the volume of tests both available and expected and set up a special office or bureau dedicated to managing the acquisition and distribution of tests. The conflicting reports and lack of information have left states unable to plan.
3. Support the use of automated testing to increase the speed and volume with which testing is conducted.
4. Ensure that patients who need tests face no out-of-pocket costs. The coverage requirements for testing are currently a patchwork of state executive orders and private company actions – we need federal leadership. Hundreds of millions of Americans still do not know if they can access affordable testing.
5. Ensure that COVID-19 hotlines are fully staffed and responsive to patients and providers who have questions and concerns.
While the Senator works to improve testing and resources for the state, Governor Andrew Cuomo implements more regulations to hopefully slow the transmission of the virus.
Cuomo announced the state will institute limits on mass gatherings, directing events with 500 or more individuals in attendance to be cancelled or postponed. As such, events, gatherings, or places of business with less than 500 individuals in attendance will be required to cut capacity by 50 percent, with exceptions being made for spaces where individuals do not make sustained close contact, such as schools, hospitals, public buildings, mass transit, grocery stores and retail stores.
"The spread of this coronavirus is not going to stop on its own, and we know that mass gatherings have been hotspots for the virus to infect large numbers of people quickly," said Cuomo. "To help contain it, we are instituting limits on large events as well as new measures to protect our most vulnerable populations, including people in nursing homes, and preparing our healthcare system to be able to deal with any future capacity issues."
To learn more about Cuomos regulations on mass gatherings, visit www.governor.ny.gov/news/during-novel-coronavirus-briefing-governor-cuomo-announces-new-mass-gatherings-regulations.
The Chenango County Department of Health and UHS Chenango Memorial have yet to report any active cases of the virus in Chenango County.
On Friday The Chenango County Department of Health reported there are currently no confirmed cases in Chenango County or any currently being monitored.
There have been several local community events in Chenango County that have already been canceled. DCMO BOCES canceled a large networking event that was intended to connect youth with job opportunities through UHS. The Norwich Community Soup Kitchen has closed until April 14th. Several local sports and school events have also been canceled.
Recently Schumer aided in securing $8.3 billion dollar deal to fund the federal response to the Coronavirus. Of that fund $950 million went to support state and local health agencies.
However, a lack of testing supplies and lag in turn around for test results has Schumer "demanding" corrective measures from the federal government.
“When it comes to what we need most in New York; the access, the expansion and the much faster automation for COVID-19 testing, the administration remains stuck in the mud and spinning its wheels,” said Schumer. “Congress just delivered billions of dollars to the agencies that need it, but we want those dollars to fuel a come-from-behind response that fixes the disturbing gaps in our testing system."
Currently in New York, COVID-19 has made the biggest impact in New Rochelle, with about 108 positive cases of the virus. Because of the spread, the city has implemented a one mile containment. Schumer said during the tele-conference the Mayor of New Rochelle attributes the outbreak to the lack of testing kits for the area.
"This is going to be a problem that will continue. There will most likely be more towns that will require containment," said Schumer. "We need action right now, because without action this virus is going to continue to spread."
Specifically, Schumer is demanding the administration for five things immediately to improve the ability to test for the coronavirus in New York:
1. Expedite the approval of labs who are ready and willing to provide testing. Every lab that is able to provide testing should be up and running as soon as possible.
2. Provide daily updates on the volume of tests both available and expected and set up a special office or bureau dedicated to managing the acquisition and distribution of tests. The conflicting reports and lack of information have left states unable to plan.
3. Support the use of automated testing to increase the speed and volume with which testing is conducted.
4. Ensure that patients who need tests face no out-of-pocket costs. The coverage requirements for testing are currently a patchwork of state executive orders and private company actions – we need federal leadership. Hundreds of millions of Americans still do not know if they can access affordable testing.
5. Ensure that COVID-19 hotlines are fully staffed and responsive to patients and providers who have questions and concerns.
While the Senator works to improve testing and resources for the state, Governor Andrew Cuomo implements more regulations to hopefully slow the transmission of the virus.
Cuomo announced the state will institute limits on mass gatherings, directing events with 500 or more individuals in attendance to be cancelled or postponed. As such, events, gatherings, or places of business with less than 500 individuals in attendance will be required to cut capacity by 50 percent, with exceptions being made for spaces where individuals do not make sustained close contact, such as schools, hospitals, public buildings, mass transit, grocery stores and retail stores.
"The spread of this coronavirus is not going to stop on its own, and we know that mass gatherings have been hotspots for the virus to infect large numbers of people quickly," said Cuomo. "To help contain it, we are instituting limits on large events as well as new measures to protect our most vulnerable populations, including people in nursing homes, and preparing our healthcare system to be able to deal with any future capacity issues."
To learn more about Cuomos regulations on mass gatherings, visit www.governor.ny.gov/news/during-novel-coronavirus-briefing-governor-cuomo-announces-new-mass-gatherings-regulations.
The Chenango County Department of Health and UHS Chenango Memorial have yet to report any active cases of the virus in Chenango County.
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