Governor Cuomo and U.S. Senator Charles Schumer Comment on Coronavirus
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo says state-wide, nine individuals have had samples sent to the Centers for Disease Control for testing for Coronavirus. Four of those have come back negative while five are still pending.
Cuomo says, while the risk for New Yorkers to contract and spread the Novel Coronavirus is low, health officials are working to stay ahead of the issue and make sure the public is informed.
Meanwhile, U.S. Senator Charles Schumer of New York says the CDC cannot access rapid response money to deal with the virus until an official public health emergency is declared.
The Democrat says the Infectious Disease Rapid Response Reserve Fund was recently increased from $50 million to $85 million. He says while the current risk to the American public remains low and the CDC has been doing a good job in being proactive in their dealing with the threat, the federal funds need to be unlocked through the declaration of an emergency so the money is readily available.
The CDC says the symptoms of infection are similar to the flu with particular respiratory discomfort. Officials say everyone should follow basic hygiene techniques such as frequent hand-washing and coughing into one’s arm or a tissue.