Suffolk Coronavirus: 15 New Deaths; 'Staggering' Unemployment

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY — Deaths related to the new coronavirus shot up by 15 in Suffolk County Thursday, bringing the total to 84, Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone said. And a 1,000-case increase was recorded for the first time in a 24-hour period.

Among the dead were people ranging in age from their 40s to 80s who died in local hospitals, Bellone said. Countywide coronavirus cases climbed to 8,749, an increase of 1,141, due in part to ramped-up testing, he said.

For the first time, hospitalizations also passed 1,000, Bellone said, as 1,054 were hospitalized — a 157 increase since Wednesday. There are 314 patients in intensive care, up 42 since Wednesday. There are currently 472 hospital beds available in Suffolk County and 64 ICU beds.

Hospital capacity has increased, with 2,881 beds in Suffolk County, up by 57; there are also 438 total ICU beds, an increase of 23.

Map released

A new countywide map of coronavirus cases was unveiled Thursday, showing locations of cases by town and hamlet. View the Suffolk County coronavirus map.

'Staggering' unemployment

Nationwide, Bellone said, unemployment is "stark and staggering," with 6.6 million applying for benefits last week.

"It's hard to even describe how extraordinary that is," Bellone said.

The 3.3 million number that preceded the surge had already "shattered every record that existed," he said. The last such record was seen during the 1982 recession.

Bellone also discussed the struggle of small businesses and the Suffolk County business recovery unit that was created, a "one-stop" shopping resource for businesses in need. A survey launched has received 1,200 responses representing 13,700 employees; nearly 7,000 have been laid off or furloughed, Bellone said.

Downtowns are facing particular hardships, he said, adding a "strategic and targeted" recovery is needed there. Industries particularly hard it include the service industries, construction and retail, he said.

Bellone urged small business owners to go the business recovery unit for resources and information. The county, he said, is working to develop its own ideas and options to help small businesses.

ProHEALTH opening testing to all first responders

ProHEALTH is opening testing on a first-priority basis to all first responders with symptoms of the coronavirus, Bellone said. Those who want to get tested should call 516-874-0411.

'Troubling' numbers

Earlier on Thursday, Gov. Andrew Cuomo called the surging coronavirus numbers on Long Island "troubling."

As of Wednesday night, coronavirus cases by town were as follows:

• Islip: 1,497
• Huntington: 1,209
• Brookhaven Town: 1,071
• Babylon: 1,077
• Smithtown: 353
• Southold: 151
• Southampton: 124
• Riverhead: 93
• East Hampton: 26
• Shelter Island: 1

The remaining number of cases have not yet been identified by location, county officials said.

Governor talks ventilators

Ventilators remain the most critical issue, Cuomo said Thursday.

While there are 53,000 statewide hospital beds available statewide, only 6,000 are available downstate. "By any estimate, we don't have the number of beds" needed, he said, adding that extraordinary measures have been taken to expand capacity.

But beds are not as urgent a concern as ventilators, Cuomo said. With 22,000 stockpiled in New York, about 350 individuals need them per night. "So 2,200 disappears very quickly," he said. "At the current rate of burn we have enough in the stockpile for six days."

A total of 400 ventilators were sent to New York City, and 200 to Long Island and Westchester, Cuomo said.

With feverish efforts ongoing to secure ventilators, Cuomo said if the apex hits sooner than the six days, there will be issues. He said he has no desire to acquire ventilators that aren't necessary. "They are very expensive and the state is broke," he said. "But we need what we need."

He added: "If a person comes in and needs a ventilator and we don't have one, the person dies. That's the blunt equation here."

He has said New York needs approximately 30,000 ventilators to meet the demand at its peak.

That being said, other plans are being formulated, to use anesthesia machines and BiPAP machines as ventilators; the BiPAP have a slower rate of oxygen, he said. Also a new process has been devised to split one ventilator in order to help two patients at one; 7,000 handheld, rubber ventilators, that would require many hospital workers to keep running continuously, were also ordered.

"The burn rate is troubling but we have all these other extraordinary measures. I believe if push comes to shove, it will put us in fairly good shape," Cuomo said.

Landscaping changes

Also on Wednesday, county officials said there were new changes to rules as they pertained to landscaping: “At this time, horticulture is designated as a non-essential business — with the exception of nurseries/greenhouses selling food-producing plants," officials said. Landscaping for maintenance and pest control purposes has been designated as essential.

Crime drops

Nine new coronavirus deaths were reported in Suffolk County Tuesday as crime took a dramatic nosedive.

Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone said more than 1,000 new coronavirus cases were reported in 24 hours.

Suffolk County Legislator Bridget Fleming said in a media call Tuesday night that the uptick included 708 people hospitalized, 229 in intensive care and 199 on ventilators. More than 17,000 have been tested countywide.

"We are up to a 38 percent positive rate, in part because the criteria is still so strict to get tested — but the numbers continue to rise," Fleming said.

'Who else has to die'

With 2,372 deaths across the state, and more than 92,000 cases reported, Cuomo said the apex of the pandemic is expected at the end of April. If people fail to follow social distancing rules, 110,000 beds and 37,000 ventilators will be needed for the sick.

"We have to succeed," Cuomo said. "We have to find a way. There is too much at stake."

To that end, Cuomo shut down all New York City playgrounds Wednesday but kept open spaces available for people to walk or run while maintaining social distance.

He blasted those who refuse to comply: "Who else has to die for you to understand? You have a responsibility, especially in New York where everything is so dense."

But, he added, it's important to realize the people do recover from coronavirus.

His brother, CNN anchor Chris Cuomo, was diagnosed with the coronavirus Tuesday and is at home with a fever and chills. On Thursday, Cuomo spoke with his brother live and the two shared laughs but also moments of serious discussion. "I have never been more proud of you," the governor told his younger brother. "I love you."

"Anyone can get this disease," Cuomo said. "Relatively young, strong people. Those who take their vitamins and go to the gym. There is no superhero who is immune from this disease."

When he heard that his brother tested positive, Cuomo said, "It scared me. It frightened me. Why? Because we still don't know. We are talking about my little brother. This is my best friend."

Despite having coronavirus, his brother still held his show last night from his basement.

"What a gutsy, courageous thing do to," Cuomo said. "And in some ways it can be very instructive to many people. Everyone wants to know: 'What happens if you get it?' The information can be helpful to people: It's not a death sentence."

A Long Island native who just got home from the hospital Tuesday also shared his experience with coronavirus with Patch.

Supplies still needed

While two truckloads of supplies were delivered to Suffolk County Tuesday, donations are still critically needed, Fleming said.

Relief package implementation

Fleming also discussed the implementation of the $2 trillion COVID-19 stimulus package, which is being administered by the Small Business Administration; under the rules, the SBA has to publicize guidance for the process by Tuesday.

Highlights of the package, she said, include payroll protection, the expansion of unemployment benefits — and relief for freelance and gig workers. A $350 billion program is available to distressed businesses with fewer than 500 employees to help them meet expenses and much will be forgiven if jobs are protected, Fleming said.

In addition, she said, businesses will have to go to their normal banks to submit their applications. The goal is to make the process as streamlined as possible, with all rates the same and not competitive, so the money can get out to those most in need and keep the economy operating.