Coronavirus In Nassau: Third Death Reported; Scams On The Rise

NASSAU COUNTY, NY — The number of confirmed cases of the new coronavirus continued to grow in Nassau County as the county also reported the third death of a resident due to the virus.

As of Thursday morning, there were 372 confirmed cases of the new coronavirus in Nassau County. The sharp increase in cases was due to more tests being conducted, Nassau County Executive Laura Curran said. Drive-through testing facilities have opened in Jericho and Jones Beach, increasing residents' access to the tests.

Curran also asked residents to watch out for each other, especially those who were dealing with mental health and substance abuse problems before social distancing and self-isolation procedures began.

"I don't want to sugarcoat it: for people who are dealing with depression, who are dealing with addiction, they can go to a very dark place right now," Curran said.

Curran also reported the third death of a Nassau County resident due to the virus on Thursday morning — a 76-year-old woman who lived in the Town of Hemsptead.

The county also reported a sharp increase in phone scams, many of which are playing off of fear of the coronavirus. Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder said the department has seen a 49 percent increase year-to-date in phone scams, most of which are targeting senior citizens.

"There are a bunch of low-life people who sit and wait and prey in a time of crisis," Ryader said. "Well, they're coming out in droves now."

Ryder said that many of the scams are asking residents for their banking and healthcare information. Legitimate callers will not do that, Ryder said. He also urged people to reach out their older relatives and warn them about scams like this, and for seniors to be vigilant.

To keep up to date with coronavirus developments in New York, sign up for Patch's news alerts and newsletter.

Because of gatherings being banned and institutions closed, many of the support services that people relied on are unavailable. There are no support groups meeting, and it may be difficult to schedule time with a therapist.

If Nassau residents need help, they can call the county's help line at 516-227-TALK to get support and have questions about services answered.

In a later press conference, Gov. Andrew Cuomo stressed the importance of people isolating themselves and stopping the spread of the disease. If the current rate of infection holds, the state will need 110,000 hospital beds and 37,000 ventilators in 45 days. But the state only has 53,000 beds and 3,000 ventilators.

Cuomo said the state is working on converting facilities into healthcare facilities, and is also contacting retired nurses and doctors to create a reserve staff of healthcare professionals.

"This is New York," he said. "There's nothing we can't do."

Cuomo also said he is working with the federal government to get more done. President Donald Trump authorized a hospital ship, the USNS Comfort, to sail to New York Harbor and dock there. It has 1,000 rooms on it and will increase the state's capacity, and will treat patients not infected with coronavirus. There are also mobile hospitals that can be set up, each of which has the capacity for 200 to 250 people.

To contain the spread, Cuomo ordered that all non-essential businesses could not have more than 50 percent of their workforce working outside of their homes. It is a mandatory requirement statewide. Essential businesses that wouldn't be affected include food stores, pharmacies, healthcare facilities, shipping and delivery companies.

"I understand this is a burden to businesses," Cuomo said. "I understand the impact to the economy. But in truth, we're past that point as a nation."

Here are the latest numbers for infections in the top-10 counties in New York:

• New York City: 2,469
• Westchester: 798
• Nassau: 372
• Suffolk: 178
• Rockland: 53
• Orange: 51
• Albany: 43
• Dutchess: 31
• Erie: 28
• Monroe 27

Cuomo also urged people to remain calm. Though New York now has the most cases of the virus in the country, people are recovering. Of those hospitalized, 108 have already been discharged. The first person to contract the virus in the state — a healthcare worker who had just returned from Iran — has already recovered at her home and a recent test showed she was negative for coronavirus.

"For 80 percent of the people, that's what will happen," Cuomo said. "She was never hospitalized, and she resolved two weeks later. That's what people have to keep in mind."

Coronavirus in New York

• Non-Essential NY Businesses Told Half Of Workforce Must Stay Home
• Baby With New Heart Quarantined: Why Staying Home Saves Lives
• Community Feeds Hungry Children After Coronavirus Closes Schools
• Coronavirus In New Rochelle: Life At The Epicenter
• New York To Close All Restaurants, Bars, Movie Theaters
• New York State Of Emergency: What Does It Mean And Why?
• Doctors Use Tents, Car Exams, Hotlines To Prevent Coronavirus Spread
• Businesses Modify Practices Amid COVID-19 Worries
• Coronavirus: Expert Explains Cluster, Containment, Testing
• Nassau County Closes All Schools For 2 Weeks