New York to check for antibodies, governor mandates face covering
16 April, 2020
New York has developed its own antibody test that may help find those immune to coronavirus as the state looks to steadily end its shutdown, Governor Andrew Cuomo said Wednesday.
He made the announcement as he ordered all residents of the state -- the epicenter of America's coronavirus outbreak -- to cover their faces when in stores or using public transit.
Cuomo said 2,000 persons will be tested a day, as he works on an idea for a phased reopening of NY, without accelerating the spread of COVID-19 again, after its weeks-long shutdown.
"We're going to prioritize the antibody testing for first responders and essential workers," Cuomo told reporters. "It's a finger prick test so it's not terribly invasive."
Officials are dealing with ways to get crippled economies ready to go again without increasing the rate of infections as the world awaits a vaccine for the deadly virus.
Cuomo said he previously a "blueprint" centered on testing residents for the virus, and tracing and isolating anyone who has it to control the spread.
Health officials believe antibody tests which have just entered the market to check out whether a person has been previously infected are necessary in answering questions about immunity.
It is not yet clear whether people who were previously infected will be immune and if so for how long, experts say.
Cuomo announced that another 752 New Yorkers had died from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours. He failed to give un updated toll but that number would take statewide deaths past 11,000.
The condition has claimed a lot more than 27,000 lives over the United States, according to a running tally by Johns Hopkins University.
Cuomo said he'd sign a decree that could enter into effect in three days requiring that everyone in the state cover their mouth and nose when struggling to maintain social distancing outside.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have already been recommending that US citizens wear masks since April 3.
Source: www.thejakartapost.com
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