Coronavirus Suffolk: No Travel Ban 'On Agenda'; Unemployment Woes

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY — Despite urging from East End supervisors for a possible travel ban, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said it's not in his plans even amid a spike in confirmed cases of the new coronavirus countywide and a "woeful" shortage of ventilators continues, according to Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone.

When asked about a possible travel ban suggested by county or local officials, Cuomo said Thursday: "Counties can come up with whatever they want, but I don't have any travel ban on my agenda."

On Wednesday, Southold Town Supervisor Scott Russell called for a travel ban to the East End, where he said resources and volunteers have been strained and cannot handle the influx of individuals heading east.

New York City residents who've headed to their homes out east were urged to self-quarantine for two weeks by Dr. Deborah Birx, the White House coronavirus response coordinator, who told reporters at a news conference Tuesday that anyone who left the Big Apple over the last few days may have been exposed to the virus, which causes the COVID-19 disease.

On Wednesday, Dr. Howard Zucker, the state health commissioner, said: "We should not follow," that directive. Instead, those heading to Long Island, Florida and other areas should follow Center for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, including self-distancing, he said.

Bellone said despite fears that people coming east are "spreading the virus," he has spoken to the health department on the issue. "The reality is, based on what we understand, the virus has been here for some time," he said, adding that anyone in the state needs to move, to follow health department guidelines.

Bellone said Cuomo did not support a travel ban, and he echoed Cuomo's stance.

'Staggering' Number of Unemployment Claims

Nationwide, Bellone said, 3.3 million claims have been filed in a week, a "staggering number." Former Labor Secretary Robert Reich, Bellone said, had previously said if that number hit $2 million it would "break all records and be absolutely unprecedented."

Of the 3.3 million claims, Bellone said, "We have never seen anything like this."

Responding to questions from residents who have tried for long periods of time to file a claim and been disconnected on the phone or unable to complete the process online, Bellone said he is working with the state to find answers.

Locally, benefits' programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, has seen numbers rise from an average of 75 a day to 222, almost triple, Bellone said. Employees are working from home to handle the uptick, he said.

Ventilator shortages addressed

With the need for ventilators critical, Bellone said in Suffolk County, there are currently 286 countywide. While the specific number that will be needed has not yet been determined, Bellone said it may be about 700. The number on hand, he said, "will need to dramatically increase." The number on hand, he said, is "woefully inadequate" compared to what the need will be. A total of 25 so far, he said, are being sent to Stony Brook University Hospital. Bellone said anesthesia machines are being used and Cuomo also said a new technology was approved to share one ventilator with two patients.

As of Thursday, Bellone said 2,735 people had tested positive countywide out of 9,600 tested. Of that number, 287 are hospitalized, compared to 163 two days ago. "The number in ICU beds has more than doubled in two days' time," he said, up to 103 from 50. Countywide there are 2,649 beds and 543 available; there are 309 ICU beds and 68 currently available.

"That has trended up," he said, adding that as testing has ramped up, numbers continued to climb.

There have been 22-coronavirus deaths reported across Suffolk County: For the eighth day in a row Wednesday, Bellone reported two new deaths, including a man in his late 80s with underlying health conditions who died Wednesday at Stony Brook Southampton Hospital and a man in his late 80s, also with underlying health conditions, a resident of Peconic Landing who died at Eastern Long Island Hospital on March 23.

On Wednesday, Bellone reported three deaths, including a female in her 80s at Mather Hospital on March 21; a female in her 70s who died at Peconic Bay Medical Center on March 20; and a resident of Peconic Landing in his 80s who died at Stony Brook Southampton Hospital on March 24.

Peconic Landing, a Greenport retirement community, has reported a total of 6 deaths related to coronavirus, officials said.

The total number of deaths countywide was 20 as of Wednesday.

The breakdown for the number of confirmed cases countywide as of Wednesday is as follows:

Islip: 479

Huntington: 426

Babylon: 315

Brookhaven: 331

Smithtown: 128

Southold: 114

Southampton: 49

Riverhead; 40

East Hampton: 12

Shelter Island: 1

The other cases have not been given confirmed locations as of yet.

New survey for possible hospital sites

An evaluation team, he said, continues to look at potential hospital sites. Many have reached out with potential sites to offer. Those who want to help can go to Suffolkcountyny.gov and go to the link for critical surveys and questionnaires, then click on the "Real Estate" questionnaire.

Meals for Kids

With schools closed, Bellone said so far, 134,000 meals have been provided to students, mostly grab-and go.

Mental Health

For those facing mental health issues, a piece of the human puzzle that cannot be ignored, according to Cuomo, Suffolk County residents can call 311 for help and resources. The DASH center is also available 24/7, he said, to meet mental health and substance abuse needs.

Also on Wednesday, Cuomo said bout 6,100 mental health professionals have volunteered to help folks deal with the emotional trauma of the coronavirus cases, including those out of work. New Yorkers are encouraged to call the mental health hotline at 1-844-863-9314 to schedule an appointment for free services.

Business recovery

So far, Bellone said, 895 surveys have been filled out by those struggling to stay afloat in the business community where there have been 5,300 layoffs and furloughs reported so far.

Dog groomers now "essential"

Pet groomers are now considered an "essential business" said Suffolk County Legislator Bridget Fleming.

Supply drive for PPE

So far, the county has received 282,000 pieces of donated personal protective equipment but more is needed at all three donation sites, Bellone said.

A supply drive at the Suffolk County Fire Academy, located at 103 East Ave. in Yaphank continues this week from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. So far, the response to that drive has been great, he said, with more than 284,000 pieces donated; Suffolk BOCES brought 5 van loads of equipment, he said.

New sites opened Wednesday at 10 a.m. at the Westhampton Department of Public Works Yard, located at 124 Westhampton Riverhead Road in Westhampton Beach— the Gabreski Airport service road —and the Commack DPW yard, located on Crooked Hill Road, according to Suffolk County Legislator Bridget Fleming.

Hospital expansion

All elective surgery has been canceled, Bellone said. He said the human crisis is real, with women frightened about what they will be facing when they go to the hospital to give birth and others struggling to get in to a hospital to see a dying loved one. "That is what we are facing right now. That is why we have to do the right thing and follow the guidance of medical professionals," he said.

New viral pandemic protocol

Bellone also announced new viral pandemic protocol. EMS, he said, will face higher demands as a results of coronavirus. To that end, those who respond to calls for an ambulance will screen for symptoms, such as fever, cough and sore throat, and look at factors include age and severity of symptoms to determine if the person needs to go to the hospital.

If not, that person will be provided with a handout by the emergency provider of what to do and who to contact should symptoms worsen.

"Residents should not be alarmed," Bellone. "Anyone who needs an ambulance will get one. But this new protocol says we understand the seriousness of this. This is a crisis."

Bellone continued to discuss the need for hospital expansion; Governor Andrew Cuomo has mandated that all hospitals must expand by 50 percent and aim for 100 percent. But on Tuesday Cuomo said even at 100 percent, the newly ramped up need for 140,000 beds, rather than the previous target number of 100,000, won't be met.

Personnel and supplies are desperately needed, with a call out for all medical personnel to come forward, Bellone said.

He discussed the new mobile site at Stony Brook. An online automated results system is coming, Fleming said. Bellone, who remains in mandatory quarantine after key staffers tested positive, has registered and is waiting for a call for testing.

Possible new medication

Bellon also discussed the new trials for hydroxychloroquine and said Amneal Pharmaceuticals, locally, would be working on efforts.

Offenders not following guidelines

Those who seen people congregating should now call 311 to report offenders, Bellone said. Police can charge those individuals with obstruction of governmental administration, unlawful assembly, disorderly conduct and criminal nuisance, said Suffolk County Police Commissioner Geraldine Hart. Complaints about both non-essential and essential businesses should also be dealt with by calling 311, he said.