Coronavirus Cases, Updates In Patchogue

PATCHOGUE, NY — May marks the second month since the coronavirus hit Long Island and affected daily life for local residents. As the number of new cases for the new virus, known as COVID-19, continue to increase across both Nassau and Suffolk Counties, additional measures and closures continue to be announced. In addition, local schools, business are still being impacted by the pandemic.

Cuomo's order all for nonessential workers to stay home, known as NY PAUSE, is still set to expire this week on May 15. However,state records revealed this past weekend that the governor has the authority to extend New York's stay-at-home order through June 6.

Regions that meet specific COVID-19 criteria laid out Monday can still begin to reopen non-essential businesses and ease back social distancing measures on Friday, the order states. As of Monday, Long Island does not meet all seven criteria, meaning the closure of non-essential businesses could continue.

Click here to see a full list of essential businesses.

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Recently, all marinas, boatyards and marine manufacturers opened for personal use, with strict social distancing and sanitation protocols to follow. Golf courses also re-opened with special guidelines. All 13 of Long Island's town supervisors met earlier this month to discuss a plan for re-opening this summer.

While officials say that New York is potentially past the "plateau" of the disease, cases continue to go up in some areas. As of Monday afternoon, there are 41,122 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Suffolk County with 8,941 cases in the Town of Babylon. Here's how Patchogue and its neighboring communities fare:

• PATCHOGUE: 269
• NORTH PATCHOGUE: 148
• EAST PATCHOGUE: 549
• BLUE POINT: 62

Here are the latest local updates from Patchogue:

SCHOOLS

The governor announced this month that all New York schools and colleges will remain closed through the end of the academic year.

BUSINESSES

Patchogue restaurants and bars are offering options such as takeout, curbside pickup, drive-thru and delivery. Click here to see Patch's local business guide.

HOSPITALS

Long Island Community Hospital in Patchogue has updated its visitor policy and is "prepared with the appropriate patient care equipment and supplies necessary to treat all patients," according to its website.

At this time the hospital will no longer allow visitors in the facility. For Emergency Department patients, only one visitor per patient will be available in the waiting room only. For ambulatory surgery patients, only one visitor will be allowed to be called in at time of discharge. All visitors will continue to be screened.

In addition at the entry points of the hospital as well as at all of the outpatient locations, they will be are screening all patients for the coronavirus, flu and other infectious diseases.

CANCELLATIONS/CLOSURES

The Diocese of Rockville Centre announced that all funerals, weddings and other services at Catholic churches across Long Island are canceled.

Cuomo signed an executive order to reopen marriage bureaus across the state and give clerks the authority to perform marriage ceremonies via video conferences.

The Town of Brookhaven residents who have business with the town to use online services or contact town personnel by phone or email in order to reduce crowds at town hall to help prevent the spread of the virus. Click here for other town closures and cancellations.

The town also announced the following closures and suspensions:

• All dog parks until further notice
• All town basketball courts to the public until further notice
• All town tennis and pickleball courts to the public until further notice
• All town handball and volleyball courts to the public until further notice
• All town golf courses to the public until further notice
• Suspended sale of resident stickers to the public until further notice

Both Suffolk County and the Village of Patchogue declared a State of Emergency. Village Hall is closed to the public. Village Court will not be in regular session.