ALBANY — Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo on Thursday said that New York's stay-at-home measures, including closing businesses and schools, will remain in place through at least May 15. The continued shutdown will be done in coordination with other northeast states.

Washington, D.C., and the city of Los Angeles have also extended their stay-at-home orders through May 15.

The governor's decision to extend the shut-down period, two weeks before the current order was to expire, stoked questions about whether the administration needs to consider a rolling reopening of geographic areas, especially upstate communities where the pandemic has not been as fierce as it has in the New York City region.

"The cure can't really be worse than the disease here," said Nick Langworthy, chairman of the state Republican Party. "Obviously, he has the numbers in front of him and is privy to much more information than I. The thing that concerns me the most here … there seems to be a real concern that May 15 is a long way off."

Langworthy said Cuomo, if he has not been doing so, should consult more with local officials and consider a phased-in approach. In early March, Cuomo had rebuffed New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio's call for a "shelter-in-place" order in the five boroughs. Cuomo asserted that as governor only he had the authority to issue that order, and that he would not consider imposing a shutdown in one area of the state and not others.

"I am somewhat worried that we’re treating New York with a one-size-fits-all approach," Langworthy said. "Obviously, we have to put our concerns where the large problems lie. ... You wonder what the longer term ramification will be … you wonder if it could be something of a more phased-in approach. What I see is a lack of willingness to have a tiered approach to different areas of the state … and I think that should really be considered."

The governor has stressed that he wants to restart the economies of at least seven northeast states, including New Jersey, Connecticut and Pennsylvania, in a coordinated plan that will prevent a rapid resurgence of the virus. He said that effort will require federal intervention for a massive testing and medical treatment plan.

The rate of hospitalizations from COVID-19, including those on ventilators and in intensive care units, is continuing to decline in New York, Cuomo said Thursday.

Coronavirus live updates: Former Siena player dies, Albany police officer tests positive

The data cited by the governor at his daily briefing indicates New York may have crossed the apex of the pandemic several days ago, although deaths remain high, with the state reporting 606 fatalities associated with the infectious disease on Wednesday.

"You still have 2,000 people every day who ... are walking into a hospital for the first time (with COVID-19) or who are being diagnosed with COVID-19 for the first time," Cuomo said. "We don't know how many people have been infected or are getting infected. We only know how many people walk into a hospital or get tested in a nursing home."

The governor pledged to issue more detailed information on Thursday regarding fatalities in nursing homes.

Interactive map of the coronavirus across in New York

On Wednesday night, Cuomo signed an executive order requiring anyone more than 2-years-old, and who is able, to wear a mask or cloth face covering in situations where social distancing is not possible. The order goes into effect at 8 p.m. on Friday. There will be no penalty for violations.

"The masks work," Cuomo said, adding that face coverings will also be required for those using public and for-hire transportation, including buses and trains. "I'm fully aware of the opposition to wearing a mask. ... I understand that people do not like it, some people do not like it ... and it is a government overreach. By the way, some people think the close-down order was a government overreach."

Cuomo pointed to the high rate of deaths and he offered to show the bodies to skeptics who believe the pandemic is a hoax or government conspiracy.

"Six hundred people died yesterday and that's a reality we deal with every day," he said. "I'm asking New Yorkers to wear a mask. ... If you have the virus, you can infect other people. ... I also understand what 600 deaths means, I understand the toll on the health care system. Asking New Yorkers to wear a mask, at this time, is more than reasonable."

How to make your own face mask to stop the spread of coronavirus

Moments later, Cuomo clarified: "Remember, it's not a mask ... it can be fashionable." He added the state is working with local governments to help provide face coverings to anyone who cannot afford one.

Looking ahead, the rate of infection — how many people are infected by an individual carrying the disease — will be the key to reopening the economy. He said that in New York today, when averaged out, an infected person is transmitting the disease to less than one person, but if that number returns to 1.2, that would be enough to spark an increase in hospitalizations.

"If you go to 1.2 (people) again you're going to have a problem. So you see how narrow the window is," he said. "If one person basically infects one more person the rate of spread is stable. When you have one person infects two people or more ... that's fire through dry grass. This is what we have to control as we start to reopen the economy."

Cuomo urged New Yorkers to continue being vigilant about social distancing, washing hands, wearing masks, using hand sanitizer and taking steps to minimize the spread.