The New York numbers are one part destiny - population density, and one part man made - the state’s policies on nursing homes tied together with the absence of a statewide laser focus on preventing infection rates and deaths at the nursing homes (1/4 of state deaths).
I think what also has not been looked at is possible rates of nursing homes themselves being the center of spikes in cases, as workers there, using insufficient protection, acquire an infection in the nursing home, and take it home and into the community with them.
Having dealt with two NYC and one LI nursing home while caring for my aunt and uncle I know one thing for sure, a resident gets sick he/she are first seen by home physician and then sent to either a specialist or ER . Homes don’t like to be sued so they take care if a condition looks serious. There is no way they are capable of handling a contagious and dangerous disease and they know it. Cuomo knew it too and didnt care.