Trump Invites NY Gov. Cuomo to Visit White House on Tuesday

Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced 85 percent of all COVID-19 hospitalizations are in New York City and Long Island. He also said he and Cuomo get along, touting the relationship that sometimes is seen as rocky between the Republican president and Democratic governor.

Other states that are easing lockdown rules include Minnesota, Texas, Vermont, Ohio, Idaho, Florida, North Dakota, Montana, New York, Connecticut and New Jersey. "The heck with it, just tell the truth and whatever it is, it is".

At a briefing of his task force Sunday, President Trump said his administration would have a call with governors and the Federal Emergency Management Agency on Monday to discuss how to increase coronavirus testing capacity in states. Several days ago, the state simplified the forms and said applicants would get a call back from the state department of labor in 72 hours.

Cuomo says the reopening of the economy is still weeks away, the current stay at home order lasts until May 15th.

In highlighting the problem, Cuomo showed a slide that included pictures of machines made by Roche Holding AG and Hologic Inc and said he wanted the federal government to take over global procurement. If the federal government does not provide aid, the state predicts it will have to cut 20% of funding from schools, hospitals and local governments, he said.

"Andrew is going to be coming in with some of his people, so we look forward to that", Trump said at his briefing Monday.

The number of coronavirus-related deaths in MA increased to 1,560, with 156 new deaths reported on Saturday. New York City alone recorded over 141,000 cases, according to a tally kept by Johns Hopkins University. Cuomo, who said Saturday that he might consider opening parts of upstate sooner, now said there needs to be one strategy for all of NY.

"We will allow elective outpatient treatment in counties & hospitals without significant risk of COVID-19 surge in the near future", Cuomo said.

"They are now taking some of their excess ventilators, which is great, and they're sending them up to Massachusetts", Trump said.

"The weather is getting warmer, and people want to get out of the house and be more active ... and there's a sanity quotient to it".

The testing is regarded a key step to determine when and how to reopen the state's economy, while scientists voiced concern over its accuracy, reports Xinhua. "And we wish them well and anything they need, we're gonna be there".

Cuomo said Tuesday morning that the meeting will focus on those issues.