Suffolk Monitoring 13 Post-Thanksgiving Coronavirus Clusters

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY — As the surge in coronavirus cases continues in Suffolk County, officials are monitoring at least 13 clusters related to Thanksgiving.

With Hannukah beginning and Christmas coming soon, Suffolk County Executive Bellone said people need to be aware of the risks of small, indoor gatherings.

"Just because you are home with people you trust doesn't mean the virus can't spread," he said.

Bellone said there have already been 34 coronavirus deaths in the county in December; there were 35 deaths in all of November.

The Thanksgiving-related clusters include a Southampton event where seven of the 10 guests tested positive for COVID-19; one in Manorville where six of nine in attendance tested positive; and an East Islip a small gathering where all five people in attendance contracted the virus, Bellone said. None of the gatherings violated the state's 10-person limit on gatherings.

"But it's important to emphasize that doesn't mean that the virus won't spread and we won't have superspreader events happening," he said.

Bellone said as the county waits for the latest coronavirus statistics, more than 1,000 new cases and a positive test rate above 6 percent are expected. A total of 394 people remained hospitalized, including 67 in intensive care.

Death rate spikes

There has also been a dramatic uptick in coronavirus deaths.

"As we've seen this surge in cases and an increase in hospitalizations, inevitably our greatest concern has been if it will be followed by an increase in the number of deaths from COVID-19," Bellone said. "It is clear now that we are in the second wave and the number of deaths is rising, following the increase in hospitalizations."

In August, there were five reported COVID-19 deaths in Suffolk County. There were 15 in September and six in October. In November, as the holiday season began and people headed indoors due to colder weather, deaths hit 35. From Dec. 1 to Dec. 8, there were 34 deaths, Bellone said.

"We're not even halfway through the month and we've had more fatalities than in August, September, and October combined," he said. "This is a stark reminder of the dangers this virus poses."

Testing remains critical, he said, with school testing sites set up in Hampton Bays, Riverhead, East Hampton and Copiague and another kicking off Thursday in East Islip. There are also community testing sites in Huntington, Patchogue, Copiague, Riverhead and Hampton Bays, Bellone said, thanking Northwell Health and Sun River Health for their partnership.

New testing for first responders

Suffolk County is launching a new COVID-19 testing initiative for first responders; there will be six sites set up with rapid tests on weekends in December, beginning Saturday, for fire services and EMS workers. Next, a county employee testing initiative will follow, for law enforcement and other agencies, Bellone said.

Suffolk County Police limiting operations

To limit in-person contact, the Suffolk County Police Department is once again enacting changes to limit person-to-person contact beginning Dec. 14, Bellone said.

Precincts will remain open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, but the department is encouraging people to not visit precincts unless critically necessary. Fingerprinting services have been suspended.

There will be limited public access to the lobby at Suffolk County Police Headquarters, located at 30 Yaphank Ave. in Yaphank, until further notice.

Police reports can be filed in multiple ways. Select incidents can be reported online here or via phone at 631-852-COPS.

Reports of crimes that can be filed online or via phone, in both English and Spanish, include harassing communications, lost property, criminal mischief, non-criminal property damage, minor motor vehicle crashes, identity theft, and some larcenies, Bellone said.

If a report cannot be filled online or by telephone, an officer will be dispatched.

Reports and records, including incident reports, motor vehicle accident reports, and background checks, can be requested online here. Motor vehicle accident reports may also be obtained here (additional fees apply on this website). Those without access to a computer can call 631-852-6015 and a request will be taken by a staff member and records will be furnished via mail along with a bill for any applicable fees. Reports and records cannot be obtained at precincts or other police facilities.

The alarm management program will remain open with limited in-person access. All transactions can be performed online here. If special accommodations are needed, an alarm management program representative can be reached at 631-852-5276 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The pistol license section will be open for purchase orders and pistol license renewals only. Pistol license applications can be obtained online here. Applications can be submitted online or via mail. For inquiries, call 631-852-6575.