Coronavirus In Nassau: Testing Centers Open In Hardest-Hit Places

NASSAU COUNTY, NY — As the number of people hospitalized by the new coronavirus in Nassau County continues to fall, officials say they are opening new testing centers in the hardest-hit communities to help them contain the virus.

For the seventh straight day in a row, Nassau County Executive Laura Curran said that the number of people hospitalized by the coronavirus has dropped. There are currently 1,966 people in Nassau's 11 hospitals with the virus, Curran said, a drop of 33 from yesterday. Over the last week, the number of hospitalizations has dropped 20 percent.

The number of patients on ventilators has also dropped, Curran said. There are currently 505 patients on ventilators, which is a 17 percent drop over the last week.

"Lets continue this positive forward momentum by listening to the medical experts," said Curran. "It also means we can plan for an eventual reopening and restarting of society and our businesses."

The county still has a high number of confirmed coronavirus patients: the latest numbers show that 31,079 people have contracted the virus since March. And 1,390 people have died.

The hardest-hit communities are Hempstead and Freeport, which each have more than 1,000 confirmed cases. The two communities, which are home to many minority residents, have a disproportionately high number of cases. African Americans make up 11 percent of the county's population, Curran said, but account for 19 percent of the coronavirus deaths. To help stop the spread of the virus in those areas, Curran announced that new testing centers would open in each community to serve the residents there.

"I think it's important to have these testing sites closer to where people live," Curran said. "Not everyone can get to Jones Beach or has healthcare."

The centers will offer tests to residents, regardless of their ability to pay, insurance or their immigration status. The usual restrictions on testing still apply, however. Residents should call 516-396-7500 to see if they qualify and set up an appointment.

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