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April 9, 2020

New York Reports Record 779 Coronavirus Deaths in Just 24 Hours
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Worldwide, the coronavirus continues to spread exponentially, with over
1.5 million documented cases and nearly 90,000 deaths - though the true
rate of infection is certain to be far higher due to a critical lack of
testing. In Europe, there are signs that social distancing measures are
flattening the curve of new infections, with Spain, Italy and France all
recording fewer deaths over the past 24 hours. Here in New York,
Governor Andrew Cuomo said Wednesday the city has not yet reached its
peak rate of deaths from COVID-19.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo: "The bad news is actually terrible: highest
single-day death toll yet, 779 people. When you look at the numbers on
the death toll, it has been going steadily up, and it reached a new
height yesterday."

Governor Cuomo acknowledged the true death toll is certain to be higher
because hundreds of people who've died of COVID-19 in their homes have
not been counted. This comes as The New York Times reports Governor
Cuomo and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio failed to trace the
contacts of the first people known to be infected with coronavirus in
early March, allowing the virus to spread undetected. The Times reports
a failed federal response, combined with unheeded warnings, delayed
decisions and political infighting at the state and local level to
accelerate the spread of the virus across New York.