Police Out In 'Full Force' Wednesday To Enforce Coronavirus Rules

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY — With the number of new coronavirus continuing to surge across Suffolk County, amped-up enforcement teams will be out on Thanksgiving Eve Wednesday night to ensure bars and restaurants are closing by 10 p.m. and gatherings at private homes are limited to 10, as mandated by Gov. Andrew Cuomo's new restrictions.

According to Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone, so far, a total of 57,909 county residents have tested positive for the coronavirus, not including antibody tests.

On Nov. 24, 12,795 were tested, with 543 positive, numbers not seen since April, according to Suffolk County Health Commissioner Dr. Gregson Pigott. The positivity rate in Suffolk County stands at 4.2 percent, a number not seen since May 18, he said. Twenty people were hospitalized, bringing the total to 161, three died, and 19 were discharged, officials said.

Since March 22, 2,039 have died, according to the Suffolk County Department of Health and 6,286 were discharged.

Of the 161 hospitalized in Suffolk County, 30 are in ICU, Bellone said. Just three weeks ago, Suffolk County was at a 1 percent positivity rate with 55 people hospitalized.

"The numbers might not seem as alarming as other parts of the country but the trend in cases and positivity rate here is concerning, to say the least," Bellone said.

The behavior of those who flout the restrictions is "unacceptable," he said.

With small Halloween gatherings believed to have sparked the current surge, Bellone said both Thanksgiving Eve and Thanksgiving mean that "another surge in cases is virtually guaranteed if we do not take the proper precautions."

With individuals indoors, residents are urged to follow the 10-person rule; a surge in new cases will mean not only a public health threat but could prove devastating to the region's economic recovery, Bellone said.

With Thanksgiving Eve a concern, Suffolk County Police will be out in "full force" with additional patrols to enforce guidance and conduct compliance checks at bars and restaurants, Bellone said. New York State Police and the New York State Liquor Authority will also be out enforcing restrictions, he said.

"Suffolk County is not going door to door," he said, but added that if complaints come in regarding gatherings that exceed restrictions, Suffolk County Police will be called.

He pointed to a "massive party in Farmingville" where a homeowner was cited for being in violation of the county's Social Host Law but said the focus was not on fines, but compliance.

Looking ahead, one of the region's most valuable tools is testing, Bellone said, adding that no community spread has been seen in schools. Schools should remain open if possible, he said, as not only do they keep students safe but they are vital to the region's economic recovery.

Free school-based testing is offered in both Riverhead and Hamptons Bay; both areas were designated yellow zones this week, Bellone said.

Anyone living in the yellow zones is encouraged to go for testing, he said.

Of 417 tested so far in the Hampton Bays Union Free School District, four tested positive, Bellone said. Of the 524 tested in the Riverhead Central School District, 12 tested positive, he added.

Free community testing is also being provided at the Riverhead county center, where 100 have been tested so far, and at Good Ground Park in Hampton Bays, with 60 tested to date, Bellone said.

Members of the Suffolk County Board of Elections have also tested positive, Bellone said: Out of the 111 who work in the building, eight have tested positive and are now in isolation and 37 are quarantined due to close contact. The Board of Elections is working to count absentee ballots and certify recent election results, Bellone added.

New free testing sites are set to open in Huntington at the Northwell Health Dolan Family Health Center and at Sun River Health Patchogue next week, Bellone said

On Thanksgiving Eve, Bellone thanked all who have fought and sacrificed in the coronavirus battle so far and said while there are "tough months ahead," he is confident that "we have, within our grasp, the ability to get past this virus and get back to normal."