New York City opened its doors a bit wider Monday and a high-ranking White House official defended President Donald Trump’s controversial claim that 99% of coronavirus cases are “totally harmless” as new U.S. infections rocket higher by the day.

“If you’re over 80 years of age or if you have three what they call co-morbidities – diabetes, hypertension, heart issues – then you need to be very, very careful,” White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows said on “Fox and Friends.” “Outside of that, the risks are extremely low, and the president is right.”

FDA commissioner Stephen Hahn had deflected questions about Trump’s statement Sunday, saying only that federal health officials were “certainly concerned” about the fast-growing number of cases. More than 49,000 new cases were reported Monday.

Elsewhere, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals said it was beginning “late-stage” trials for a cocktail for treatment and prevention of COVID-19. And Broadway mourned actor Nick Cordero, 41, who died Sunday after being hospitalized for more than 90 days.

“I am in disbelief and hurting everywhere. My heart is broken as I cannot imagine our lives without him,” his wife Amanda Kloots confirmed on Instagram. “Nick was such a bright light.”