Coronavirus: 21 Southold Cases, 1 At Mattituck-Cutchogue School

MATTITUCK, NY — The number of coronavirus cases in Southold Town has risen to 21.

Southold Town Supervisor Scott Russell said that was the current number as of 7:30 p.m. Sunday.

Just hours after a new coronavirus case was reported at the Greenport School District, with another positive confirmation coming out of the Southold School District Saturday — the Mattituck-Cutchogue Union Free School District announced on Sunday that a staff member had coronavirus.

A message from Mattituck-Cutchogue School Superintendent of Schools Jill Gierasch on the district's website said she had just been made aware by a staff member who is not a resident of the community that they had a confirmed case of COVID-19.

The Departure of Health is conducting an investigation with the individual to identify who they have been in contact with and will begin reaching out to those individuals, if necessary, she said.

Gierasch said she had reached out to the Suffolk County Health Department and spoken with the district's representative "to ensure there are open lines of communication. While I recognize you would like more information, I am not permitted to release confidential staff member’s information due to HIPAA laws."

The district's buildings are being thoroughly cleaned on a regular basis throughout the day and in the evening; that process will continue when schools are closed, Gierasch said.

"If there is any more information that I can share, I will reach out to you. Again, please be prepared to receive information related to distance learning tomorrow afternoon," Gierasch wrote. "Thank you for your continued cooperation and patience. Communication with all of you remains a priority."

The news came after elected officials held a press briefing in Greenport to discuss coronavirus on the North Fork, which Russell said has become an "epicenter" for the virus in Suffolk County. Mobile testing could be coming soon to Suffolk County, Suffolk County Legislator Bridget Fleming said.

Also on Sunday, as cases in Southold Town increased to 19, Greenport Village Mayor said 14 of those cases were in Greenport, both in the village and in Greenport proper.

It was also announced on Sunday that all schools on Long Island will be closed for two weeks.