#Gov. Cuomo shipping Remdesivir to Florida to help fight COVID-19

New York is sending Florida an emergency supply of the drug remdesivir to help treat 280 coronavirus-infected patients until a federal shipment arrives, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Friday

While COVID-19 cases have plummeted in New York following a severe stay-at-home lockdown and other social distancing measures, the killer virus is now ravaging the Sunshine State.

New York’s shipment of the medication will arrive in Florida Saturday.

“When New York was climbing the COVID mountain with no end in sight and resources were scarce, we were incredibly moved by the generosity of states around the country that stepped up to provide supplies and medical personnel in our time of need,” Cuomo said.

“Thanks to the hard work and sacrifice of the people of New York — and the assistance of those states — we bent the curve. With continued discipline of wearing masks and social distancing, along with a phased, data-driven reopening, New York’s numbers have remained low and steady.

“I said at the time that we would return the favor if and when other states needed help. Today, on behalf of all New Yorkers, we will deploy Remdesivir to help Florida care for patients as it waits for further supply from the federal government. We will stand by our fellow Americans every step of the way as our nation fights COVID-19 together.”

The antiviral drug remdesivir reduces the risk of death of severely ill COVID-19 patients by 62 percent, the drug company that makes it said Friday.