Coronavirus Suffolk: 'Dramatic' Uptick, 239 New Cases Confirmed

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY — In a "dramatic" uptick, Suffolk County's number of confirmed coronavirus cases climbed to 239 Thursday, up from 152 Wednesday, with 3 deaths.

Suffolk County Executive Bellone broke down the numbers in a call with media Thursday:

Huntington - 64

Southold - 45

Islip - 39

Babylon - 28

Brookhaven - 27

Smithtown - 8

Southampton - 4

Riverhead - 4

East Hampton - 2

Shelter Island - 1

In addition, there are 17 whose addresses need to be confirmed, Bellone said.

Of the 239, 27 are hospitalized and 7 are in ICU, said Dr. Gregson Pigott, Commissioner, Suffolk County Department of Health Services.

Of Suffolk County's 2,600 hospital beds, 479 are currently available, as are 74 ICU beds, Bellone said.

"The question is not what is available right now, it's what is available in 3 to 5 weeks when the virus reaches its peak," Bellone said.

County officials could not immediately provide information on the number of ventilators available across Suffolk County.

There is an intensive effort for hospitals to expand their capacity, he said.

With all cases spread through community transmission, Bellone urged the public's cooperation and told them the "least amount of damage, devastation and, most important, death, will happen by listening the health department's guidance."

Parents need to be vigilant in keeping their kids from gathering in large groups, he said.

Numbers are rising, he added, because testing has ramped up considerably. Suffolk County's first drive-thru testing site opened Wednesday at Stony Brook University. Suffolk County residents who want to make an appointment can call now and be triaged by a nurse, he said. To make an appointment, call 1-888-364-3065.

Bellone also urged residents to sign up for Smart911, to help provide critical medical information to first responders. In addition, along with calling 311 with questions, residents can sign up for updates by texting "COVIDSUFFOLK" to 67283.

No shelter in place

Many residents, he said, have asked if there would be a local order to shelter in place. Cuomo has said only he can make that determination, and Bellone said there is "no intention of doing that." If any such order was made, it would be a statewide, "calibrated effort."

Bellone said families have to be creative in unprecedented times; at his house, his family played social distancing Pictionary, he said.

He has also asked faith-based houses of worship to practice social distancing, he said.

Economic impacts

Work continues on a county business response plan, Bellone said with a county business service unit created. Business owners who need help should call 311.

President Donald Trump on Thursday also signed a disaster declaration that means local businesses are now eligible for Small Business Administration disaster loans.

Business owners affected by COVID-19 should take the business impact survey at suffolkcountyny.gov/bru or call 311.

Looking ahead, the need for protective equipment is critical both for hospitals, as well as first responders and police; some equipment was delivered yesterday with more today. While the global chain shortages can only be addressed on a federal level, the county can push to identify where the needs are greatest, Bellone said.

With the virus potentially not peaking for 4 to 5 weeks, the need for hospital beds will rise "dramatically," Bellone said.

Where the additional hospital facilities could be sited

In Suffolk County, Bellone said areas around and adjacent to the Suffolk County Correctional Facility and Suffolk County Community College in Riverhead, as well as the John J. Foley Skilled Nursing Facility in Yaphank.

Numbers skyrocked statewide

The number of coronavirus cases skyrocketed in New York State overnight to more than 4,000, Governor Andrew Cuomo said Thursday — with a surge of almost 2,000 overnight, largely due to increased testing.

Of those 4,152 cases confirmed statewide 2,469 are in New York City, and 152 in Suffolk County, according to the most recent numbers released. A total of 1,769 new cases were reported statewide overnight, Cuomo said. New York has the highest number of cases in the nation, Cuomo said.

"It is a war in many ways and the government has to mobilize as if it were a war," Cuomo said.

The federal government has stepped up to the plate, he said, sending the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to New York Wednesday to identify new sites for temporary hospital facilities as the need for beds intensifies.

So far, 22,000 people have been tested in New York State, with 7,500 tested Wednesday alone. The numbers of positive cases are ramping up with the testing; at one point, only 200 tests were done per day, Cuomo said.

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Also on Thursday, Cuomo said three-fourths of non-essential New York employees will be told to work from home, up from the 50 percent announced Wednesday, and mortgage payments will be waived for 90 days for those with financial hardships as the state ramps up measures to mitigate the health and economic impacts of the new coronavirus. Fees on ATM and credit card overdrafts will also be waived, he said.

Now, 75 percent of employees must work from home

Those payments will not be waived, they will be added on to the end of the loan, he said.

Nationwide, a surge of more than 70,000 filed for unemployment last week.

Locally, the Peconic Landing retirement community announced "several" new cases among member.

Statewide ventilator shortage

As the need for hospital beds spikes, so, too, does the need for ventilators. Cuomo said with about 6,000 available statewide, 30,000 are needed. "This is a nationwide problem," he said. "Every state is shopping for ventilators."

The nation is looking to China for ventilators, Cuomo said, with the federal government playing a critical role in procurement. Protective equipment and ventilators are essential, he said.

Also, Cuomo said the nation is fighting the coronavirus war on two fronts —the virus itself and fear.

"In many ways fear is more dangerous than the virus," he said.

No lockdown

He said despite rampant rumors that New York City was going to be on a shelter in place ruling or lockdown, with a quarantine situation, "I am not doing it." And he, as governor, is the only one who can authorize that action, Cuomo said.

Shortage of hospital beds countywide

Suffolk County is facing a dire shortage of hospital beds, according to County Executive Steve Bellone.

As the number of confirmed coronavirus cases spiked up to 152 Wednesday, Bellone said in Suffolk County, which has a population of 1.5 million, there are 2,300 hospital beds. Of those, 391 were available as of 9 a.m. Wednesday, or 17 percent. As for ICU beds, which many coronavirus patients need, there is a total of 242, with 68 currently available, or 28 percent.

On Tuesday, Cuomo said there are 53,000 hospital beds across the state and 3,000 intensive-care beds to handle 19.5 million people. But with the peak of the coronavirus expected in 45 days, there is a need for 55,000 to 110,000 beds, Cuomo said.

Bellone said hospital capacity expansion was a critical focus and added that Cuomo would be speaking with the United States Army Corps of Engineers Wednesday.

Also on Wednesday,Suffolk County's first mobile coronavirus testing unit opened at Stony Brook University.

Bellone also outlined efforts to protect first responders. He said Suffolk County Police precincts would remain open 24/7 but urged residents not to come in unless absolutely necessary; many police reports can be filed online, he said, at Suffolkpd.org or by calling 631-852-COPS.

He said the county's alarm program had been suspended but added that the DASH 24-hour county care center was open for mental health or substance abuse issues. Childcare is also a focus, he said.

And, on Wednesday, Suffolk County Legislator Bridget Fleming announced a number residents can call to report those who are not obeying the new measure that limits public gatherings by closing all bars and restaurants. If someone is not in compliance or gathering in groups without social distancing, residents can call for enforcement at 1-631-852-COPS.

Economy devastated

The impact of the new coronavirus on Suffolk County's economy will be "devastating," Bellone said Wednesday, adding there is a "desperation out there."

Suffolk County Legislator Bridget Fleming introduced legislation Tuesday to authorize a look at the feasibility and impact of reducing or eliminating certain fees and taxes on small businesses and non-profits. Emergency orders and efforts to reduce the spread of the illness require businesses to limit their services and even close, she said.

The bill, she said, would "examine the impact this crisis will have on small businesses across our county and explore opportunities to provide them relief during its course and in its aftermath."

The undue economic burden caused by the COVID-19 pandemic could cause businesses and non-profit organizations to close permanently if assistance is not provided, as they may not be able to manage paying taxes and fees to the county "during this precarious time," Fleming said.

On Wednesday, Cuomo also said New York will order all non-essential businesses to have at least half their employees work from home. The latest measure follows a series of dramatic steps the state has taken to "flatten the curve," and prevent a wave of looming new coronavirus cases from overwhelming hospitals.

Essential services, such as those in health care, food, pharmacy or supply industry, will be exempt.

"We have been on the front line of the outbreak," Bellone said, with Suffolk County's first three deaths reported in the last 48 hours. "This is a reminder that the focus of energy that is on this global pandemic is about saving lives," he said.

The reasons the numbers have spiked, Bellone said, is because testing has become more readily available. "We were behind the eight ball on testing for awhile," he said.

Bellone also said he was still operating out of his home office as a precautionary measure since his Deputy County Executive Peter Scully was confirmed positive for coronavirus; Scully and other members of the leadership team who were in close contact with him are under mandatory quarantine. Those other members have been tested and Bellone said they are awaiting the test results. "There is definitely no playing favorites here; we've been waiting for several days," he said.

The county, Bellone said, is also working with school on grab-and-go meal plans to help families in need after schools were closed for two weeks Sunday; childcare issues are also being addressed to first responder and health care workers can continue with their mission. "This is a long-term battle we are facing here," he said.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and other initiatives are critical and must be kept afloat.

County deaths

One of the deaths was a man in his 80s who was the one first diagnosed cases in the state. He was in isolation at St. Catherine's Hospital and had an underlying heart condition, Bellone said. The second death was a man in his 90s who was in isolation at Huntington Hospital, Bellone added.

The third was in their 90s, also with an underlying medical condition, according to Suffolk County Legislator Bridget Fleming.

The three deaths shined a spotlight on the reason for the efforts to reduce or contain the spread of the virus, especially to the elderly or those with underlying health conditions.

"We know the deadly impact it can have," Bellone said. "This work is all about managing the damage and death toll from this virus."

Bellone discussed Sunday's decision to close schools and cautioned parents about having play dates with their children.

Widespread coronavirus closures across New York Monday

Cuomo announced Monday that as of 8 p.m., all bars, restaurants, gyms, movie theaters, casinos and race tracks would close until further notice in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. Restaurants were told to transition to takeout and delivery services only. Nonessential travel between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m. was discouraged, he said.

After the announcement Sunday that all school in Suffolk County and across Long Island will close for two weeks, Bellone said all county parks remain open, with normal business hours.