New York governor Cuomo extends state lockdown till April 29; 600 COVID-19 deaths in a day

As New York - worst-hit state in US by pandemic Coronavirus - saw large rise in deaths on Monday, its goverr Andrew Cuomo has declared that lockdown in state is extended till April 29. Moreover, he increased that maximum fine for violations of state-mandated social distancing rules from $500 to $1000. Currently, New York has witnessed 130,689 cases with 4161 deaths till date.

Some hope in New York as death count exceeds 4,000

Cuomo extends lockdown till April 29

New York state reports 1008 new cases of Coronavirus; Trump sends 2 military ships to aid

Cuomo: 'Crisis still dire'

In his press briefing on Monday, Cuomo stated that 599 people were reported de of coronavirus in New York - state’s second-highest one-day death toll, according to US news reports. Moreover, Cuomo said that re were continuing signs that virus is starting to slow inspite of cases rising from 122,031 to 130,689 cases. He ded that data suggested that spre of virus in New York is nearing its apex, but state still was facing an emergency. Incidentally, goverr's bror and CNN News anchor Chris Cuomo too has tested positive for virus.

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Trump and Cuomo lock horns

Trump who h earlier downplayed Coronavirus's effects - terming it a 'Chinese virus' agreed with Cuomo, saying, "We’re both doing a really great job and we’re coordinating things”. He ded that a “hotspot” of virus transmission in New York is “t fault of anybody”. While Goverr Andrew Cuomo h publically appealed US government to provide 30,000-40,000 ventilators, Trump has rubbished it by saying, "You go into major hospitals sometimes, and y’ll have two ventilators. And w all of a sudden y’re saying, ‘Can we order 30,000 ventilators?’".

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US and Coronavirus

USA which has overtaken China in number of positive cases has emerged as epicenter of pandemic with 3,36,851 cases and 9,620 deaths, officially overtaking China. While initially, Trump claimed to have country 'up and running by Easter', he extended its social distancing restrictions till April 30. White House too has forecasted over 1,00,000- 2,40,00 deaths in US, after Trump requested PM Modi to lift ban on export of Hydroxychloroquine - anti-malaria drug.