Suffolk Coronavirus: 3 Dead; 97 Cases; Drive-Thru Testing Coming

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY — Three coronavirus-related deaths have been reported in Suffolk County as the number of confirmed cases of the new coronavirus in the county climbed to 97, according to County Executive Steve Bellone — with 28 in Southold Town, officials said.

Bellone gave an update on the coronavirus situation Tuesday: Of the 97 cases, he broke down the confirmed numbers by town:

Southold - 28

Huntington - 24

Brookhaven - 13

Babylon - 12

Islip - 11

Smithtown - 3

Southampton - 2

Riverhead- 2

East Hampton - 2

Shelter Island - 0

Of the 554 tests given, 457 have been negative and 97 positive, with Suffolk County testing positive at 17 percent. No one under 18 has the virus, officials said.

Bellone outlined new steps that will be taken to control the spread, including the county's civil service office being temporarily closed. Applications are available online.

In addition, he said, the county would be receiving $700,000 from the state Department of Health to help bolster efforts; Suffolk County will also transfer $500,000 from its Department of Public Works snow removal fund to help address the crisis, specifically the Department of Fire, Rescue, Rescue and Emergency Services, to help purchase additional protective equipment.

Bellone also spoke with business leaders about the economic impact, which he discussed the business response plan being developed and the collection of data to determine next steps.

New Suffolk mobile unit

Bellone also discussed the first Suffolk County's first mobile coronavirus testing unit; appointments are now available. Although the location has not yet been determined, thecCounty Department of Health is now allowing individuals to make appointments for the mobile site. Residents who want to make an appointment can call now and be triaged by a nurse. To make an appointment, call 1-888-364-3065.

Not everyone will be eligible for the test; those who call will speak with a nurse and answer questions to determine eligibility. Results could take two to three days, but may take longer, Bellone said.

Bellone also urged residents to sign up for Smart911, to help provide critical medical information to first responders.

In addition, along with calling 311 with questions, residents can sign up for updates by texting "COVIDSUFFOLK" to 67283.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Tuesday morning said the situation changes daily, and the strategy changes as well.

As of Tuesday morning, Cuomo said, 10,000 have been tested statewide, with about 1,300 positive tests. More than 400 of them are new cases. New York leads the nation in coronavirus cases, he said. There have been 12 deaths reported statewide, he said. Of the cases, 264 are hospitalized, or 19 percent, higher than the 15 percent norm, Cuomo said.

A new mobile testing center is set to open in Suffolk County soon, though that site has not yet been identified. A second will open in Nassau County on Tuesday, and others are coming to New Rochelle and Staten Island.

Automated testing is also planned, he said.

With testing and containment — including the closing of restaurants and bars Monday — first steps, next the focus is on a strapped hospital system, Cuomo said.

There are 53,000 hospital beds across the state and 3,000 intensive-care beds to handle 19.5 million people. But with the peak of the coronavirus expected in 45 days, there is a need for 55,000 to 110,000 beds, Cuomo said.

"That, my friends, is the problem that we have been talking about," he said.

Hospitals will be asked what the maximum number is that they can hold. Retired health care workers and students will be asked to come forward to help. Temporary medical facilities will be constructed, he said.

To that end, he said, the state may have to look to close other businesses in the coming days to control the spread. Quarantining whole cities is not something that he is considering, he said.

Federal help is needed, Cuomo said, adding he is happy to work with President Donald Trump on securing needed services.

County deaths

One of the deaths was a man in his 80s who was the one first diagnosed cases in the state. He was in isolation at St. Catherine's Hospital and had an underlying heart condition, Bellone said. The second death was a man in his 90s who was in isolation at Huntington Hospital, Bellone added.

The third was in their 90s, also with an underlying medical condition, according to Suffolk County Legislator Bridget Fleming.

The new coronavirus cases included Deputy County Executive Peter Scully, who is in mandatory isolation at home. He didn't have classic symptoms like as coughing but did have chills and a sore throat, Bellone said.

"Many of his symptoms have subsided," Bellone said, adding Scully has continued to work remotely like the rest of the county team.

Those who were in close contact, meaning they were within 6 feet of Scully for more than 10 minutes, were also under mandatory quarantine and being tested. That includes Suffolk County Health Commissioner Dr. Gregson Piggott, Bellone said. Piggott said he is feeling well and is only under quarantine because of his contact with Scully.

Out of an abundance of caution, Bellone, who is asymptomatic, has been working from his home office and coordinating the county's response. He is not under mandatory quarantine and is "practicing social distancing at home," but that may change if one of the others being tested is confirmed, he said. He added that members of his family tested positive for the flu.

Suffolk County offices, which closed Saturday night after Scully's positive confirmation, are being cleaned and all who have been in close contact with Scully were identified.

"The guidance we put out is important to follow, including the top levels of government," Bellone said. "Leadership by example is important."

Discussing the rise in cases, Bellone said it's to be expected as testing ramps up. A mobile testing unit is headed to Suffolk County and expected to be set up this week, Bellone said. He said he didn't know yet where it would be, what day it will be set up by, or whether it would be near the East End, where Southold Town has the highest number of coronavirus cases countywide.

Despite Southold and Greenport's number of cases — as of 4:30 p.m. Monday, there were 22 cases reported in Southold, Southold Town Supervisor Scott Russell said — no area of Suffolk County has been designated a hot spot or cluster, Bellone said. The reason why Southold's numbers might be higher is because the town had Suffolk's first confirmed case and that person's contacts were tested first. Coronavirus "is stretched out around the county" and has been spread by community transmission, Bellone said.

"This is a rapidly evolving situation," Bellone said during a call with reporters.

The two deaths shined a spotlight on the reason for the efforts to reduce or contain the spread of the virus, especially to the elderly or those with underlying health conditions.

"We know the deadly impact it can have," Bellone said. "This work is all about managing the damage and death toll from this virus."

Bellone discussed Sunday's decision to close schools and cautioned parents about having play dates with their children. He added that he expects compliance from business owners after bars, restaurants, gyms and movie theaters close at 8 p.m. Monday.

Bellone said he is working to address the day care situation and added potential sites for makeshift health care centers are being considered to relieve overburdened hospitals should the need arise.

Widespread coronavirus closures across New York Monday

Cuomo announced Monday that as of 8 p.m., all bars, restaurants, gyms, movie theaters, casinos and race tracks would close until further notice in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. Restaurants were told to transition to takeout and delivery services only. Nonessential travel between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m. was discouraged, he said.

After an announcement Sunday that all school in Suffolk County and across Long Island will close for two weeks, Bellone said Monday that all county parks remain open, with normal business hours.

"In the interest of public health, organized events and youth group camping have been suspended," Bellone said. "Where possible, park staff will practice social distancing, using drive-thru check-ins and limiting the number of visitors in park offices. Each park is unique, so practices at each location will vary. Most events at our parks are canceled until further notice."

People can contact the park office at 631-854-4949 to confirm if an event has been canceled.

Workers will continue to clean park facilities and surfaces regularly, Bellone said. Those who visit a park are encouraged to practice social distancing and good hygiene to protect themselves and others. County parks are a great way to get outside and enjoy the spring weather, instead of spending time in crowded indoor spaces, Bellone said.

At a news conference in Greenport Sunday, Suffolk County Legislator Al Krupski also said that those on the North Fork who are practicing social distancing should enjoy the beaches and "our beautiful preserved land" and trails.

Just hours after a new coronavirus case was reported at the Greenport School District and follow another positive test 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 a staff member who is not a resident of the community had coronavirus, or COVID-19.

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.