New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has extended the state's shutdown order until May 15, citing data showing conditions were improving but insisting on the need to maintain vigilance.

The governor pointed to falling rates of hospitalisation and patients admitted to intensive care, but said infection rates would have to decrease significantly before the economy could begin re-opening.

“I would like to see that infection rate get down even more,” Cuomo said at his daily briefing, reporting that 606 more people had died in the US's Covid-19 epicentre, the lowest daily toll in 10 days.

Medical workers work with numerous patients outside a special coronavirus intake area at Maimonides Medical Centre on April 16 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. — AFP
Medical workers work with numerous patients outside a special coronavirus intake area at Maimonides Medical Centre on April 16 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. — AFP

Opinion

Editorial

Budget presser
Updated 14 Jun, 2026

Budget presser

If the FBR falters, the government will find itself in hot water sooner rather than later.
Muharram precautions
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Muharram precautions

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Blood bequests
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Blood bequests

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Sustainable path?
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Sustainable path?

The FY27 budget is the first clear signal that the government is ready to transition from stabilisation to growth.
Prioritising education
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Prioritising education

THOUGH the improvement in the country’s literacy rate may be slight, as highlighted by the Economic Survey, it ...
Poverty’s rise
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Poverty’s rise

AS attention turns to the government’s plans for the coming fiscal year, one set of figures deserves particular...