85 COVID-19 Patients In Rockland's 3 Hospitals

ROCKLAND COUNTY, NY — There were 85 people hospitalized in Rockland County with confirmed or suspected cases of COVID-19 as of Monday, health officials reported.

The coronavirus has sent increasing numbers of people to local hospitals in the past three months, reaching levels not seen since the spring, according to data from the county's COVID-19 dashboards.

The death toll rose to 727 after the weekend, meaning that the pandemic has killed another 28 people in the past 15 days. Five deaths were reported Saturday.

With 302 active coronavirus cases, Spring Valley continues to lead Rockland County's outbreak.

Much of the county is in a yellow zone. Under yellow zone regulations, the following restrictions are implemented:

• Indoor and outdoor dining is permitted, but there is a four-person maximum per table; bars and restaurants must still close at 10 p.m.; and late-night takeout is permitted.
• Schools can remain open, however 20 percent of the weekly in-student and teacher population must be tested.
• In-home private gatherings are limited to 10 people.
• All other nonessential gatherings are limited to 25 people, whether indoors or outdoors.
• Capacity at houses or worship is limited to 50 percent.

At his pandemic briefing Monday, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo warned that communities where hospitals are on track to reach 90 percent of capacity within three weeks face more severe restrictions.

Rockland's three hospitals were at about 80 percent of capacity as of Dec. 4, according to federal health data. SEE: Coronavirus Surges: Here's How Close HV Hospitals Are To Capacity.