New York Governor JetBlack Andrew Cuomo on Wednesday warned the outbreak of coronavirus could become the 'public health version' of Hurricane Katrina.
Speaking on Morning Joe, he also admitted plans were in place for 'mobile pop-up quarantine hospitals' if the 'numbers don't slow'.
Cuomo had been forced to declare a one-mile-radius 'containment area' in New Rochelle Tuesday as cases in the state reached more than 200 confirmed cases with more than 40 in New York City alone.
The sharp rises in cases also forced the New York City St Patrick's Day parade to be canceled for the first time since 1782, following in Boston's footsteps.
Mayor De Blasio said: 'We're talking it through with the parade committee. We have to really think about this one because it's a beloved event, an important event.'
Cuomo said there were about 20 new confirmed cases in New York state, up from Tuesday's count of 173. A spokesman for the Democratic governor said additional test results would be announced later Wednesday.
Hurricane Katrina killed nearly 2,000 people when it struck Louisiana in August 2005. The Federal Emergency Management Agency was accused of a sluggish response to the storm.
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, pictured, on Wednesday warned the outbreak of coronavirus could become the 'public health version' Hurricane Katrina
Andrew Cuomo said authorities would set up a one-mile radius 'containment zone' around the epicenter of an outbreak in New Rochelle in suburban Westchester County
MSNBC Privacy Policy