The city’s death toll from the virus has risen to , doubling in the past day. The total number of cases nearly doubled as well, for the second straight day. De Blasio called the numbers “nothing short of staggering” and pressed President Donald Trump to mobilize the military to deliver crucial supplies – which the city could run out of in two to three weeks – and provide medical care. Advertisement Trump has invoked the Defense Production Act, which allows the president to order private industry to ramp up production in the interest of national security, but has said he does not plan to use his powers under the act at this time.
The The city is now moving to release some inmates from Rikers Island starting as soon as Thursday, after the first inmate and correction officers at city jails tested positive for the coronavirus.
An inmate who tested positive Wednesday is in his early s and has been placed in isolation, de Blasio said. Eight other inmates he was in contact with are now showing symptoms. Elected officials and advocates have raised alarms that the disease could spread rapidly in city jails.
Eight of the ten centers at hospitals are already open – at Bellevue, Elmhurst, Harlem, Metropolitan, Kings County, Lincoln, Woodhull and Queens hospitals.
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