By NewsDesk  @infectiousdiseasenews

New York state health officials announced an additional 109 confirmed cases, bringing the statewide total to 325 confirmed cases in 13 counties and New York City in the state. In New York City, 95 cases have been confirmed.

New York State/National Atlas of the United States

During a briefing Thursday, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced the state will institute limits on mass gatherings, directing events with 500 or more individuals in attendance to be cancelled or postponed.

Public health experts agree mass gatherings with people making sustained close contact are a place where the novel coronavirus can easily infect many people quickly and continue its spread. As such, events, gatherings, or places of business with less than 500 individuals in attendance will be required to cut capacity by 50 percent, with exceptions being made for spaces where individuals do not make sustained close contact, such as schools, hospitals, public buildings, mass transit, grocery stores and retail stores. These new regulations will go into effect Friday, March 13th at 5pm.

It has already occurred for Broadway Theaters.

Cuomo also announced only medically necessary visits will be allowed at nursing homes in an effort to protect the most vulnerable population.

On Friday, the first public drive-through testing facility on the East Coast, located in New Rochelle, will start testing.

Testing will be done by appointment only. New Rochelle residents who have been quarantined will be tested first.