470 COVID-19 Patients in US... 105 in New York Alone

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] The number of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) patients in the United States has rapidly increased to 470.

On the 8th (local time), CNN reported citing the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state governments that as of that morning, the number of COVID-19 deaths in the U.S. had risen to 19, and the number of patients to 470. Johns Hopkins University also estimated that at least 437 patients had been confirmed.

Overnight, the number of infected increased by 28, and the number of states with confirmed cases rose from 31 to 32.

In New York State, 16 new patients were added that day. Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that the number of patients in the state had increased to 105. Most of the infected in New York State are residents of Westchester County, contacts of a man in his 50s, the state's second confirmed patient and a lawyer. Following Washington State in the west, where deaths and infections were concentrated, New York State, home to New York City, the largest city in the U.S., is becoming a new center of infection.

The confirmed case in Washington, D.C., the U.S. capital, is also causing deep concern for the federal government. There are fears of significant repercussions if federal government employees in Washington, D.C. become infected.

The first patient in Washington, D.C. was identified as Timothy Cole, a pastor of a historic Episcopal church in the Georgetown area, founded in 1817, CNN reported. Following the Washington, D.C. health authorities' recommendation to suspend worship services, the service was canceled that day.

Meanwhile, U.S. public health officials announced that in response to the spread of COVID-19, the approach has shifted from the 'containment' phase to the 'mitigation' phase.

Jerome Adams, head of the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps (PHSCC), responsible for public health, said, "We took a containment approach to give people time to prepare for the current situation, but now we are transitioning to the mitigation phase."

He added, "This means we are helping people understand that we will see more patients," and "There will be more deaths ahead, but it does not mean we should panic."

Dr. Adams also stated that COVID-19 has been contained in some parts of the U.S. He said, "In some parts of this country, COVID-19 has been contained. This means preventing COVID-19 from spreading into the community," and "Once it enters the community, measures must be taken to block community spread."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.