COVID-19's foothold in the US is spelling dire consequences for New York and California, both grappling to contain severe outbreaks of the virus.
California Governor Gavin Newsom made an alarming declaration on Thursday, estimating that 25.5 million people - roughly 56 percent of the state's population - are likely to contract the novel coronavirus within eight weeks.
Newsom made the sinister hypothesis in a letter to US President Donald Trump, outlining the rapid increase in cases - 126 within 24 hours as of Thursday (local time) - and calling for great measures to help California deal with the crisis.
According to local media, Los Angeles County officials have ordered residents to remain indoors and limit outdoor movement to what is "absolutely essential". Healthcare, government and food industry staff are permitted to travel for work and grocery stores, gas stations, pharmacies and other essential services remain open.
"We need to be painfully honest. We're about to enter a new way of living in Los Angeles for a period... today is a day that will be seared into the story and the streets of this city," Los Angeles mayor Eric Garcetti declared during a press conference, as reported by The Guardian.
There have been 18 deaths and 952 confirmed cases across California, according to Johns Hopkins University.
New York
New York mayor Bill de Blasio has predicted the city will run out of essential medical supplies within two to three weeks, the virus maintaining a firm foothold in the now deserted metropolis.
On Thursday evening (local time), New York state officials reported 5298 cases statewide - an increase of about 2300 since late Wednesday.
As reported by The Independent, New York City desperately requires three million N95 masks, 50 million surgical masks, 15,000 ventilators and 25 million surgical gowns, coveralls, gloves and face masks respectively.
"We're assessing all the time but it is a day, two weeks from now or three weeks from now where we must, by then, have had a very substantial resupply," de Blasio told reporters.
"So I think the simple way to think about it, is that the federal government has, essentially, two weeks to get us major resupply or the people of New York City are going to be in much greater danger."
State governors met with Trump on Thursday (local time), with many expressing concern over their short supply of medical essentials.
On Wednesday, New York's governor Andrew Cuomo estimated there are "tens of thousands" of COVID-19 cases across the state, suggesting the outbreak is far more widespread than the official numbers suggest.
An executive order authorising businesses that rely on in-office staff to decrease their in-office workforce by 75 percent has been signed. A bill has also been signed guaranteeing job protection and pay for quarantined New Yorkers.
Mortgage borrowers impacted by COVID-19 in New York state will receive a 90-day mortgage relief period.
All New York schools have been closed for two weeks as of March 18, as well as casinos, gyms, theatres, bars and restaurants.
