Local News

Coronavirus Update: De Blasio Says Targeted Testing Coming, Rate Of Increase In Cases Overall Has Slowed

April 12, 2020 / 11:18 PM EDT / CBS New York

click to expand

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Sunday there will soon be expanded testing in communities where coronavirus cases have skyrocketed.

"We cannot accept this inequality. We have to attack it with every tool we have," the mayor said.

However, he cautioned the city can't do it alone.

"That is contingent upon getting the supply we need. This is something that has to come from, I'm sad to say, outside the city. We cannot produce here in any kind of way that anyone's explained to me, at least. We need to get these supplies in from elsewhere. This will be targeted testing in communities with the greatest needs," de Blasio said.

WATCH: Mayor Bill de Blasio Gives Coronavirus Update

CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC

The mayor said testing will be the first tool after stats show a disproportionate amount of black and Hispanic residents have died from COVID-19, CBS2's Lisa Rozner reported.

The mayor said he aims to create community testing sites by the end of the week at:

East New York, Brooklyn
Morrisania, the Bronx
Harlem
Jamaica, Queens
The Vanderbilt Clinic on Staten Island

"But here's the key point: the federal government really needs to step up. Again, they have not been doing what we all needed, and this is true all over the country. We have not gotten the help we need on testing. Here's a chance to get it right," de Blasio said.

The new sites with swab tests will be appointment only, but will prioritize those over the age of 65 with symptoms and preconditions that put them at risk.

"I will be asking the federal government today for test kits to allow for 110,000 individualized tests," de Blasio said. "Specifically, 25,000 of those individualized test kits would be focused on Health + Hospitals for their current needs and for the new sites."

PHOTO GALLERY: A Look Inside NYC's Viral 'Warzone'

City Councilman Ritchie Torres of the Black and Latino Caucus said he welcomes the sites, but added it's only a small start.

"So even though Manhattan has substantially larger population than the Bronx, the Bronx is more than double the number of fatalities," Torres said.

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. and Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams agree.

"We're still going to be pushing for other walk-in test locations where people in the South Bronx can get tested," Diaz said. "We make the mistake of thinking the South Bronx is walking distance or even a train ride for everyone. The South Bronx is a big area."

"If we could do it in the next few days, we need to make that happen," Adams said. "We don't want an over-saturation in one location because there are a couple of state facilities locations opening at the Sears parking lot and a couple of walk-in sites."

Coordination with both the city and state will be key.

Overall, the rate of increase of COVID-19 cases has slowed, de Blasio said Sunday. There are now 70 intubations per day on average, down from 200-300 per day.

De Blasio said as of Monday morning, all city workers who come in contact with the public will be required to have a face covering.

"We have never, ever underestimated this enemy we're fighting. Coronavirus is ferocious and has presented us with a challenge like we've never, ever seen before and certainly our nation has not seen anything like in a century," de Blasio said. "So this was a tough and painful week, but it was also a very different week than the one we expected, and thank God for that."

New York City now has enough N95 and surgical masks and gloves for the week ahead, but face shields and surgical gowns will have to be resupplied for the following week.

De Blasio said that projection was based on the "crisis standard" of equipment, as opposed to a "peacetime standard."

The mayor unveiled a new initiative to help hire New Yorkers to work in hospital systems.

"So I want to say all New Yorkers who are looking for work: join a team of heroes. Help out in our hospitals, fighting back the coronavirus and saving lives. Right away, Health and Hospitals will be hiring 500 non-clinical staff, so not medical staff. Folks who can help transport patients, who can work on the clerical team, who can help the hospitals running with critical work, including cleaning and maintenance," de Blasio said.

There will be 500 of these jobs to start with, but de Blasio expected that number to grow to thousands. People interested in applying can click here.

De Blasio urged city residents to "keep the faith" amid the pandemic.

"You support each other. You stand up for each other. We're going to need it. We're going to need it in the weeks and months ahead," he said.