First Suffolk Coronavirus Patient In 'Fair Condition, Improving'

EAST END, NY — Suffolk County's first case of the coronavirus — an man in his 40s who is an employee at a popular Long Island brewery — is in "fair" condition, according to a statement from Stony Brook Southampton Chief Medical Officer Fredric Weinbaum, M.D.

"The patient continues to be cared for at Stony Brook Southampton Hospital" and "is improving with good prospects for further recovery," Weinbaum said. "At this time, the patient is requesting privacy.”

Suffolk County communicable disease professionals are investigating the patient's contacts, as it is believed that the case was contracted via community transmission, according to a release from Suffolk County Legislator Bridget Fleming.

“Our community hospital and local healthcare professionals are working in coordination with our county and state agencies to provide up to date information,” Fleming said.

“State law prohibits me from providing any further information about the patient. However, he is in isolation and his health is improving. To ensure the safety of the public, the Suffolk County Health Department is thoroughly investigating and will contact directly anyone he may have come in contact with," she added.

The man is not connected with a group of SUNY students now in precautionary quarantine at the Stony Brook Southampton Campus in Shinnecock Hills; as of March 10, the campus currently is accommodating 22 students from the study abroad program in Italy and 4 students from South Korea, Fleming said.

“SUNY, under the direction of the New York State Department of Health, urged its study abroad students back to New York and have placed some of these students under a 14-day quarantine as a safeguard. Others returned to their own homes for the 14-day voluntary quarantine period," Fleming said.

Suffolk County is coordinating with SUNY to ensure the security, health and safety of all students and staff, as well as for the community.

“While we continue to do all that we can to avoid a widespread outbreak, we are asking the public to do the same. If you are sick, stay home and contact your primary care physician to avoid spreading any illness to others," Fleming said.

The man, who was reportedly treated at Eastern Long Island Hospital in Greenport and then taken to Stony Brook Southampton Hospital, works at Greenport Harbor Brewing Company in Peconic, the business confirmed to Patch on Monday.

"On Sunday afternoon, March 8, we were notified directly by an employee that they had been diagnosed with COVID-19," the business said in a statement. "This staff member had not been at the workplace since February 24, two weeks earlier."

The brewery said it alerted Suffolk County health officials and immediately notified its employees. The business is following recommended guidelines set forth by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

"The [Department of Health] expressed their approval and full agreement with these actions," the brewery said.

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The Greenport Harbor Brewing Company's food service and tasting room in Peconic will remain closed through the end of the week. Qualified cleaners have been hired to perform a deep-clean of the premises, the business said.

Longtime East End reporter Gwendolyn Groocock said in a Patch Neighbor Post on Monday she had spoken with the Suffolk County patient and that he is recovering. Patch has not independently verified her account.

In a press conference Monday, Suffolk County Steve Bellone said one person was identified to have been in in close contact with the brewery worker and that person is in mandatory "quarantine to help prevent and contain the spread of the virus."

In addition, Bellone said, in addition to the first identified case, 35 individuals in Suffolk County are under "precautionary quarantine."

Jill Gierasch, Superintendent of the Mattituck-Cutchogue School District, sent a letter to parents Monday stating that the district also has an employee who works weekends at the Greenport Harbor Brewing Company.

"However, they were not in direct contact with one another the last time the employees worked the same shift, which was 11 days ago," she said. "Our employee has no signs of illness. However, as a precautionary measure, we have assigned this person to home to be checked by their physician and self-quarantine until they are deemed unaffected."

The district is wiping down all classrooms, large spaces, doorknobs, light switches, keyboards, and bus seats on a daily basis. "We will continue with our upgraded cleaning routine and working diligently to ensure the safety and well-being of all students and staff," she said.

On Tuesday, the number of confirmed cases in New York increased to 173— up 31 from Monday — with a containment area established where the cluster of cases in New Rochelle is the largest in the country, New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo said.

On Monday, the Shoreham-Wading River School District closed, with buses of students sent back home, after the spouse of a staff member may have had exposure to coronavirus; the district reopened Tuesday.

Town takes precautions

Southold Town officials are taking steps to protect residents amid news of the county's first coronavirus case. On Monday, Supervisor Scott Russell said the town government remains fully operational, for the time being.

At Tuesday's town board work session, Russell said would asked the board to alter the current cancellation policy as it pertains to the town's recreation programs.

"Typically, when someone wishes no longer to participate in a program, they are required to notify the recreation department two weeks prior," Russell said. "I am seeking to waive any deadline; however, we have not canceled any programs."

The town also announced that the town's meal program for seniors inside the Human Resource Center would be suspended, but said meals would be delivered curbside and to the homebound.

In addition, Russell said he has directed Southold's Department of Public Works to "take extra measures to clean and disinfect all areas of town facilities, especially area of public access."

Southold Town Police Chief Martin Flatley and he, Russell said, maintain communication and coordination with all involved agencies including the Suffolk County Department of Public Health and the Suffolk County Office of Fire, Rescue and Emergency Management, as well as health care providers.

In addition, Russell said, he and Flatley are coordinating a plan of action with local health care providers, schools, Greenport Village and first responders.

The town has coronavirus information currently on its website and will continue share pertinent information with the public as it becomes available, Russell said.

David Gamberg, Superintendent of Greenport Schools, sent out a message to parents Sunday night: "You may have read or heard that the first case of a positive coronavirus finding originated from Eastern Long Island Hospital, with a patient who was transferred to Stony Brook Southampton Hospital," he said. "I spoke to a Suffolk County Department of Health nurse, affiliated with the epidemiological disease control unit, and she indicated that the person has nothing to do with the school at this time and they are continuing to investigate."

Southampton Town also outlined safety measures this week and East Hampton Town temporarily suspended senior programs.

Cuomo over the weekend declared a state of emergency to help New York more quickly and effectively contain the spread of the virus