New York, April 14 (RHC)-- In the U.S. state of New York, the statewide death toll from COVID-19 has topped 10,000, as total confirmed cases near 200,000 .. over half of these in New York City.  Latinos represent 34% of those who have died of coronavirus in New York City, the highest death toll in the city, while Black residents account for 28% of deaths.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said that despite the rising death toll and the high number of current hospitalizations — around 19,000 — other indicators of the outbreak’s progress, such as daily death toll and new hospitalized patients, appeared to be leveling off.   Cuomo warned the trend could easily start to reverse if New Yorkers ease up on social distancing and quarantining measures. 

Despite the glimmers of hope, New York City hospitals say they continue to be stretched to their limits.  The news outlet The City reports nurses at the public Bellevue Hospital have been told to sign forms falsely stating they are trained in certain types of care, in order to compensate for staff and equipment shortages.

In related news, at least 50 Department of Education employees have died from the coronavirus in New York City, including 21 public school teachers.  Over the weekend, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said schools will remain closed until the fall, but was quickly undercut by Governor Cuomo, who said the decision was not yet made, leaving millions of students, teachers and parents in the country’s largest school district in the dark about their situation.