New York state’s death toll jumps to more than 1,900

NEW YORK

Coronavirus deaths soared. New York City playgrounds were targeted for shutdown to help slow an outbreak projected to grow worse for another month. Overtaxed hospitals began transferring patients north of the city. And residents near one struggling hospital have become all too used to ambulance sirens.

“It’s very eerie. I think everyone’s just doing what they can, but at the same time it bothers you. Especially if you’re around Elmhurst because you can hear all the ambulances,” said Emma Sorza, near Elmhurst Hospital in Queens.

The latest coronavirus developments in New York: NUMBERS UP, NO RESPITE New York’s COVID-19 death count more than doubled in 72 hours to 1,941.

One month after New York discovered its first infection - a health care worker returning from Iran - the state tallied more than 83,000 positive cases. The 1,941 deaths were up from 965 Sunday morning.

New York logged its first virusrelated death March 13, an 82-year-old woman with emphysema.

With more than 12,000 people hospitalized, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said the latest outbreak projections show no respite this month.

“What we’re looking at now is the apex - the top of the curve - roughly at the end of April, which means another month of this,” Cuomo told a state capitol news briefing.

One model cited by Cuomo projected 16,000 deaths in New York once the outbreak runs its course in the coming months. Though the governor stressed it’s unclear how the pandemic will end.

“Nobody knows what’s going to happen. And I understand the need for closure, the need for control,” he said. “We’re at a place we’ve never been before.” CLOSING PLAYGROUNDS Upset that people were still packing into New York City playgrounds despite social-distancing rules, Cuomo said he is working with city officials to have them closed. Green spaces would be kept open.

“So use the open space in a park. Walk around, get some sun, great,” Cuomo said. “No density. No basketball games. No close contact. No violation of social distancing, period.”