New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo speaks to supporters during an election night watch party hosted by the New York State Democratic Committee in New York.There are now more than 100 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in New York state, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced on Sunday.
The governor declares a state of emergency when a disaster may be imminent or severe enough to require state aid to local officials. Declaring a state of emergency also authorizes the governor to quickly direct state agency resources to communities in need. In New York, according to The New York Times, a taxi or ride-hailing driver in Queens tested positive, resulting in more than 40 doctors and others at the hospital treating him to go into self-quarantine.
The Trump administration is also facing intense scrutiny over its response to the coronavirus outbreak.