Coronavirus In Nassau: Fourth Death Reported As Cases Grow

NASSAU COUNTY, NY — A fourth death from the new coronavirus was reported today as the number of cases in the area continues to grow. Nassau County Executive Laura Curran pointed out, however, that the number of confirmed cases also includes those who have recovered.

Nassau County now has 372 confirmed cases of the coronavirus as of Friday morning, Curran said, adding that the number includes people who have since recovered from the disease. A fourth county resident also died on Thursday: a 44-year-old man with an underlying health condition.

Curran said the county is also continuing to police businesses that are raising prices on certain goods during the pandemic. The county has received more than 150 complaints from residents about price gouging, and has issued 34 fines. Some of those fined are "repeat offenders," Curran said.

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The county is working to make sure the more than 55,000 veterans who live here are still receiving the services they need, Curran said. The county's VetMart in East Meadow is still open and can give food and supplies to veterans in need. It has started a drive-up service, so veterans don't even have to leave their cars to get supplies.

With businesses closing left and right, many people are losing their jobs. Long Island Cares runs food banks across both Nassau and Suffolk and said it has enough food to feed Long Islanders, but it's getting harder to do. The organization runs hundreds of food banks in the area, but 44 of them have already closed, mainly because the volunteers who run them are elderly and have to take care of themselves. Two of the organizations seven soup kitchens have also closed.

On Friday, Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed an order that everyone must stay home from work, excluding people working in essential businesses.

He also said New Yorkers must remain indoors. Non-essential gatherings — of any size and for any reason — must be canceled or postponed, Cuomo said. Moreover, any concentration of people outside their home must be limited to workers providing essential services and social distancing should be practiced.

"This is the most drastic measure we can take," Cuomo said Friday in announcing the extraordinary measures.

Coronavirus in New York

• Cuomo Orders Non-Essential New Yorkers To Stay Home
• Nassau County Releases Map To Track Coronavirus Cases
• Baby With New Heart Quarantined: Why Staying Home Saves Lives
• Community Feeds Hungry Children After Coronavirus Closes Schools
• Coronavirus In New Rochelle: Life At The Epicenter
• New York To Close All Restaurants, Bars, Movie Theaters
• New York State Of Emergency: What Does It Mean And Why?
• Doctors Use Tents, Car Exams, Hotlines To Prevent Coronavirus Spread
• Businesses Modify Practices Amid COVID-19 Worries
• Coronavirus: Expert Explains Cluster, Containment, Testing
• Nassau County Closes All Schools For 2 Weeks

Patch staffer Dan Hampton contributed to this article.