Over 440 New Yorkers have died from coronavirus in the past few days.

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On Wednesday, Gov. Andrew Cuomo confirmed 285 New Yorkers died from COVID-19. On Saturday he announced that number has jumped to 728.

"I'm deeply saddened that we have lost 728 New Yorkers to Coronavirus," Cuomo tweeted during his press conference on Saturday. "We are fighting to save every life. You must help by following all health protocols. We ALL have a role to play to reduce the spread of this virus. Help us save lives."

According to the governor, the New Yorkers who died were mostly people who are older and weaker with other medical conditions. He said many who have died were on ventilators for 20 to 30 days. Cuomo added the longer someone is on a ventilator the greater chance that person will die from a COVID-19 related illness. Cuomo said on Thursday there were currently many New Yorkers who have been on ventilators for 20 to 30 days.

He mentioned the first positive case in New York was 27 days ago and noted officials have been battling the virus from behind since the start.

"We have been behind this virus since day one," Cuomo said during his press conference. "We have been in a reactive posture from day one. "You don't win on defense. You win on offense. That's what we are doing with the apex preparation."

The apex of coronavirus in New York is forecast to be 14 to 21 days. It's projected the state will need 140,000 hospital beds and 30,000 ventilators at the peak of the virus.

"Remember this is not a sprint, this a marathon. This is going to be a long term situation. We each must do our part and we must adjust," Cuomo said.

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