New York state will spend $40 million to prepare for potential threats from the novel coronavirus as the disease continues to spread from its epicenter in China to other countries around the globe, Gov. Andrew Cuomo told reporters Wednesday.
Cuomo said he wouldn’t be surprised if the disease spread to New York, given that the state is a major hub for international travel and commerce.
“It’s highly probable we’ll have people in New York state who test positive,” Cuomo said. “New York is the front door, internationally. We have people traveling here from all across the world. You see how it’s spreading and affecting different countries.”
Legislation to allow an emergency allocation of $40 million to the state Department of Health is expected to be sent to the state Legislature next week. Cuomo said he’s already spoken to Democrats who lead the Legislature about the funding.
That money would be spent on equipment, staff, and “whatever may develop” that would require money from the state Department of Health to contain the disease, Cuomo said.
The Legislature is also expected to approve a bill, either with the appropriation or without, that would grant the state Department of Health more authority in containing the outbreak. Cuomo said that would, essentially, be to prevent a situation where the agency’s hands are tied.
The funding request comes after state Health Commissioner Howard Zucker visited Washington, D.C. and spoke to federal officials about their predicted response to the disease. Zucker said that, after his visit, he’s confident the appropriate steps have been taken.
“I was very confident about what they’re working on,” Zucker said.
The agency will be working with hospitals around the state, as well as local health agencies, to prepare for a situation where the novel coronavirus spreads to individuals in New York, Cuomo said. So far, no one has tested positive for the disease in the state.
Kenneth Raske, president of the Greater New York Hospital Association, said hospitals have been preparing for the virus for the last few weeks, and are prepared for any cases that may develop in the future.
“The hospitals have been working on preparations for weeks,” Raske said. “I know that because our team has been working with each of them.”
At least 2,700 people have died from the novel coronavirus globally, according to the World Health Organization.