New York will launch a program that aims to test, trace and isolate people suspected of being infected with the novel coronavirus, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo (D) said Wednesday.

In a news conference, the governor announced that he, Gov. Phil Murphy (D-N.J.) and Gov. Ned Lamont (D-Conn.) will coordinate on plans to build a “tracing army.”

“The virus doesn’t stop at jurisdictional boundaries,” Cuomo said. “The virus just spreads.”

Former New York mayor and recent Democratic presidential candidate Mike Bloomberg has volunteered to develop the “first-ever testing, tracing and isolation program” in the state, Cuomo said.

Bloomberg’s financial contribution to the coordinated effort with the state is upward of $10 million. He will design the new program and create systems to hire and train contact tracers.

Johns Hopkins University and Vital Strategies will coordinate work downstate and in the tri-state area of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. The State University of New York and the City University of New York …continued .
[Source: Washington Post]