Former CDC Head Claims Coronavirus Death Toll in NY Could Have Been Cut by up to ’80 Percent’

Dr. Thomas R. Frieden —former commissioner of New York City’s health department and the former head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)— claims the delayed coronavirus response have led to the state’s death toll.

A report published by the New York Times details Frieden’s observations have concluded: “If the state and city had adopted widespread social-distancing measures a week or two earlier, including closing schools, stores, and restaurants, then the estimated death toll from the outbreak might have been reduced by 50 to 80 percent.”

He also noted the vast difference in statewide coronavirus statistics across New York and California.

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo issued a stay-home order one day after California Gov. Gavin Newsom. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio was also criticized and accused of not taking the virus seriously.

While New York is working to combat the coronavirus with more than 140,000 positive cases and a death toll of 5,400, California’s stats are significantly lower —17,625 cases and 452 deaths, as of Wednesday afternoon.

Frieden also noted the city of San Francisco, as an example. With only 18 positive coronavirus cases, locally, the city opted to shut schools down. Los Angeles also followed suit. The swift response may have significantly impacted the potential of the virus spreading.