The number of coronavirus deaths in New York state more than doubled in 72 hours to 1,941, and Gov Andrew Cuomo said on Tuesday that projections show the outbreak worsening through the month, AP reports.

The sobering news from the governor came as he pledged to close New York City playgrounds to slow the spread of the virus, leaving green spaces open. He said overburdened hospitals in hard-hit downstate areas have begun transferring patients north to the Albany area.

A month after New York discovered its first infection, the state tallied more than 83,000 positive cases. The 1,941 deaths were up from 965 on Sunday morning.