Governor Discusses Various Projection Models He Uses To Plan With

Governor Andrew Cuomo provided more details about the projection models the state is using to determine how many hospital beds and ventilators will be needed when the coronavirus cases peak in New York. He highlighted two models — one that projects the need based on low compliance with social distancing guidelines and another with estimates if there is high compliance.

The model that factors in low compliance with social distancing standards estimates the state will need 110,000 hospital beds and 37,000 ventilators to treat COVID-19 patients. This is a projection that Cuomo has shared at previous briefings.

If there is high compliance with social distancing guidelines, then the state would need 75,000 hospital beds and 25,000 ventilators for COVID-19 patients.

Both models project that the outbreak will peak in late April. The main difference is the number of cases.

Cuomo said the state is using a “moderate model” for its plans because, with the higher models, “we don’t even have a chance of meeting that capacity anyway.”

“There is no possible way we could get there,” he said.