Hospitalizations and ICU patients have decreased in New York City, mayor's office says
A medical worker walks outside of a special coronavirus intake area at Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York, on April 21. Spencer Platt/Getty Images
The number of hospital admissions for suspected coronavirus cases in New York City are down, the mayor's office said in a press conference Thursday.
On Tuesday, 227 people were admitted to the hospital, down from 252 the day before.
The number of ICU patients in public hospitals has also decreased to 796 on Tuesday, compared to 821 the day before.
The mayor's office also gave a breakdown of the percentage of positive coronavirus tests: The percentage of positive cases citywide decreased from 33% to 32% on Monday, but increased at Public Health Lab to 57%.
10:19 a.m. ET, April 23, 2020
House begins debate on establishing coronavirus select committee
From CNN's Haley Byrd
Moments ago, the House began an hour of debate on establishing a select committee on the coronavirus crisis.Rules Committee Chair Jim McGovern and Rules Committee ranking member Tom Cole are leading debate for their parties.
About the committee: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi had initially signaled that the committee would focus its oversight on the historic trillions of dollars in spending that Congress has approved to address the pandemic. But the text of the resolution to establish the committee — released by House Democrats on last night — shows that it would have far-reaching power to investigate how money is being spent as well as to examine US preparedness for the crisis, including deliberations within the Trump administration.
More than 300 people died from coronavirus in New York City yesterday
From CNN’s Mark Morales
At least 320 people in New York City died from coronavirus yesterday, Mayor Bill de Blasio said during a press conference this morning.
The city has confirmed an additional 2,519 new positive cases of the virus, he added.
10:12 a.m. ET, April 23, 2020
Michigan governor: Opening businesses that "pose very little risk" may be appropriate
From CNN's Aditi Sangal
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer addresses the state during a speech in Lansing, Michigan, on April 20. Michigan Office of the Governor/Pool/AP
Reopening businesses that “pose very little risk” may be appropriate, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said Thursday.
“[It’s] appropriate to keep doing that assessment. We may have some announcements in the coming days," she said.
Yesterday, Whitmer announced that she is evaluating the state’s stay-at-home order after receiving the latest data on coronavirus in Michigan.
She did not offer any details on which businesses could be reopened, but said she’s keeping certain questions in mind as she makes the assessment.
“Is it public-facing? Does the majority of the work happen indoors or outdoors? Does it require more than one person using a set of instruments or machinery? These are three of many questions that we're asking to assess risk inherent in different sectors of our economy.”
Watch:
9:59 a.m. ET, April 23, 2020
Myrtle Beach mayor wants to open economy, but "it just is not a cookie cutter approach"
From CNN's Elise Hammond
People visit the beach in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, on April 21. Jason Lee/The Sun News/AP
The process must be done carefully and methodically, however, Bethune told CNN.
Bethune said her city sees between 18 million and 20 million visitors a year, and businesses cannot afford to stay closed long-term.
"They are hurting so badly right now. And that is exactly why we are taking this approach of a very well thought out plan, one that does include the businesses, and, you know, it just is not a cookie cutter approach." Bethune said.
Despite South Carolina not meeting the White House's reopening guidelines, McMaster announced that some stores would be allowed to open at 20% capacity or five people per 1,000 square feet. Beaches were allowed to reopen on Tuesday.
Bethune did not directly address the guidelines, but said in order to balance reopening the economy with public health, each community needs to access their situation individually.
"I think that we have to look at our individual communities and not the state as a whole because every community, every county is different," Bethune said. "We're looking at what is right for our area, our businesses, and we want to welcome our visitors back, but we want it to be safe when we do," she added.
Watch more:
9:17 a.m. ET, April 23, 2020
Former health secretary says putting politics before science is "dangerous"
From CNN's Adrienne Vogt
Then Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius addresses a crowd at the National Council for Behavioral Health's annual conference in National Harbor, Maryland, on May 6, 2014. Patrick Smith/Getty Images
Former Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius criticized President Trump’s response to the coronavirus pandemic, saying it has had confusing and even dangerous effects.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the director of the office involved in developing a coronavirus vaccine said he was suddenly dismissed from his post in part because he resisted efforts to widen the availability of hydroxychloroquine, a drug pushed by the Trump administration.
“It is a very dangerous place to be, if science is going to be overridden by politics or favoritism or I have no idea why this drug is being promoted, but it isn't about science,” Sebelius said in an interview on CNN’s New Day.
The Trump administration’s relationship with science “seems to be rocky at best,” Sebelius said.
She said that US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention officials should be at the forefront of daily briefings and that the American public has been “whipsawed” by competing messages from Trump and science leaders.
“The more those messages get mixed is really about putting lives at risk. … Everybody wants to get back to work. Everybody wants life to be the way it was. It is a scary time both in terms of health and in terms of the economy, but what people need is a consistent, positive message about we're all in this together, and guidelines that make sense and driven by the science so that we save lives and we get people back to work in a safe fashion,” she said.
8:57 a.m. ET, April 23, 2020
American Red Cross will use antibody testing to help screen for Covid-19 plasma donors
From CNN Health's Jacqueline Howard
The American Red Cross is working to implement antibody testing to help screen for recovered Covid-19 patients who could donate blood plasma to help patients fight the disease, the organization said in a statement yesterday.
The idea is that convalescent plasma, the liquid part of blood, from recovered patients contains antibodies that could help strengthen the immune response of other patients still battling infection.
Last week, the US Food and Drug Administration announced that patients who are fully recovered from Covid-19 for at least two weeks are encouraged to consider donating plasma.
While "thousands of potential donors" responded to that call, less than 10% initially met the FDA's eligibility criteria to donate, according to the American Red Cross statement.
The criteria include having a verified Covid-19 diagnosis and either being symptom free for at least 28 days prior to donation or symptom free for at least 14 days prior to donation while also having a negative Covid-19 test result.
"The Red Cross is currently reviewing and requesting additional information from individuals who have submitted donor information. However, this is a complex process as we work to ensure each potential donor is appropriately screened and has the proper documentation to ensure verify every convalescent plasma product collected is safe for a patient battling COVID-19,” the American Red Cross said in its statement on Wednesday.
8:56 a.m. ET, April 23, 2020
Task force members had to convince Trump to change his view on Georgia reopening, source says
From CNN's Jim Acosta
Dr. Deborah Birx, White House coronavirus response coordinator, and Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, listen during a coronavirus briefing at the White House on April 9. Andrew Harnik/AP
Members of the coronavirus task force had to convince President Trump to change his view on Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp’s decision to reopen businesses in his state later this week, a source close to the task force told CNN.
At a meeting just prior to yesterday's coronavirus task force briefing, task force members were discussing the likelihood that some of the doctors on the panel would be asked by reporters about Kemp’s controversial move to open up many businesses in Georgia, like nail salons and bowling alleys, the source added.
During the meeting, Dr. Anthony Fauci and others on the task force noted there would be a glaring inconsistency if the scientists were not in agreement with Trump on the Georgia issue during the press conference.
“I cannot defend this publicly,” Fauci said to others at the meeting, according to the source. Members of the group agreed it was necessary to attempt to change Trump’s mind on the subject.
Members of the task force then asked Dr. Deborah Birx, the panel’s coordinator, to try to convince Trump during a more private meeting she had with the President just prior to the news conference.
To the relief of other members of the task force, Trump went on to say he disagreed with Kemp’s decision.
The scientists on the task force, however, were not in agreement with Trump on CDC Director Robert Redfield’s interview in the Washington Post, in which he warned of the difficulties of a second wave of the coronavirus during the cold and flu season. That could not be avoided, the source said.
8:49 a.m. ET, April 23, 2020
House will vote on $480 billion coronavirus relief package today
From CNN's Clare Foran and Haley Byrd
The US Capitol in Washington is seen from Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, on April 22. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
The bill will deliver aid to small businesses and hospitals and expand Covid-19 testing.
The measure passed the Senate on Tuesday and will go to President Trump for his signature after it is approved by the House. Trump has expressed support for the legislation and indicated that he will sign it.
What's in the bill: The total price tag of the bill is approximately $484 billion. It will add to the already historic levels of spending to deal with the pandemic by authorizing an additional $310 billion for the Paycheck Protection Program, which was set up to help small businesses struggling from the economic deep freeze triggered by coronavirus.
In addition, the legislation provides $75 billion for hospitals and health care providers to address coronavirus expenses and lost revenue and $25 billion to facilitate and expand Covid-19 testing.
The House is expected to hold a recorded roll call vote on the package, forcing many lawmakers to return to Washington from their home states and districts during the pandemic.
