New York sees some hope as U.S. death toll goes over 10,000 from virus

The Coronavirus continued its assault on Americans Monday as the overall death toll crossed 10,000, though the Governor of the worst hit area in the nation says it's possible his state could be turning the corner in the virus outbreak, which has jammed big city hospitals and crippled portions of the U.S. economy.

The latest figures from New York State - which reported 599 deaths in the last 24 hours - put the U.S. over 10,000, with almost half of those deaths coming from the outbreak in the Empire State.

"The number of deaths are up once again," Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) announced at his Monday briefing, though he noted that the number of deaths in his state have been 'flat for two days,' raising some hope about the course of the virus in America's largest metropolis.

"While none of this is good news, the flattening - possible flattening of the curve - is better than the increases that we have seen," Cuomo told reporters on Monday.

New York remains Ground Zero for U.S. infections from the virus, with seven counties in and around the city in the top ten for total deaths in the country.

On the ground in New York, data released by New York City health officials showed a continued decline in people seeking treatment at emergency rooms in the city, as well as a drop in those being admitted for treatment because of influenza-like illnesses.

Governor Cuomo was not declaring victory.

"There’s a real danger in getting overconfident too quickly," the Governor told reporters.

Some health experts were allowing themselves to get more confident, especially after looking at models on the Coronavirus.

Federal health experts continue to hammer home the message that social distancing works - and that is the best tool for Americans to use in fighting the virus outbreak.

“If we do this, we could potentially be better,” said Dr. Deborah Birks, a top White House Coronavirus adviser.