New York City suburb under containment for coronavirus

WASHINGTON

Part of a New York City suburb will be placed under containment after officials determined Tuesday it is the site of a "cluster" of new coronavirus infections.

The containment zone will encompass a one-mile radius around The Young Israel of New Rochelle Synagogue that has been at the epicenter of the outbreak.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said the number of new cases in the city, which lies just northeast of Manhattan, "are going up unabated" prompting a "special public health strategy."

"This is the single greatest public health challenge we have in the state right now," Cuomo said.

State officials are setting up a satellite testing facility within the containment area in an effort to halt the spread of COVID-19, and the National Guard will be deployed to deliver food to households in need and clean public spaces.

Some medical opinions suggest the virus can live on hard surfaces such as plastic and stainless steel for more than two days, Cuomo said, emphasizing the urgency for the cleaning mission.

"Cleaning those surfaces is very important, cleaning with the right material, and the National Guard will be helpful on that," he said.

Large gatherings in the containment zone have been canceled effective March 12-25, and all school have been shuttered during the time frame.

Thirty-one new coronavirus cases have been detected in New York state, Cuomo said, raising the state-wide tally to 173.

Most -- 108 -- have been detected in Westchester County, where New Rochelle is located. In all, 36 cases have been confirmed in New York City.

Neighboring New Jersey, meanwhile, has reported four more cases, raising its total to 15, including one elderly victim who died.