Coronavirus spreading in New York like 'a bullet train'

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo on March 24 pleaded for more medical supplies, warning Covid-19 is spreading in his state faster than "a bullet train".

"The apex is higher than we thought and the apex is sooner than we thought," the governor said, BBC reported. 

He said the federal government was not sending anywhere near enough lifesaving equipment to confront the crisis.

New York now has over 25,000 confirmed virus cases and at least 210 deaths.

The World Health Organization (WHO) said on March 24 the US has the potential to become the new epicentre of the coronavirus pandemic.

The warnings come as President Donald Trump said he hoped the US would reopen for business next month.

What did Governor Cuomo say?

"We need federal help and we need the federal help now," Mr Cuomo, a Democrat, said.

"New York is the canary in the coal mine, New York is happening first, what is happening to New York will happen to California and Illinois, it is just a matter of time."

The governor blasted the 400 ventilators sent to New York from the US Federal Emergency Management Agency.

He said: "You pick the 26,000 people who are going to die because you only sent 400 ventilators."

New York currently has 7,000 ventilators, but needs 30,000, the governor said.

Mr Cuomo continued: "The [infection] forecaster said to me, 'We were looking at a freight train coming across the country.'

"We're now looking at a bullet train."

The state is also looking into creating more healthcare areas, possibly by turning college dormitories and hotels into makeshift hospitals.