Suffolk Coronavirus: 'One Stop' Virtual Career Portal Launched

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY — As the first phase of Long Island's plan to reopen the economy launched Wednesday, Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone announced a new virtual portal to connect those looking for work with potential employers.

"This is a big day for us on Long Island, in Suffolk County, as we begin Phase 1. This is a new beginning. We've been through some trying times, unlike anything we have ever seen or encountered before. We weren't expecting this. We had no playbook," Bellone said.

The impacts have been far-reaching, as lives were lost and the economy, crippled, Bellone said.

But with the county having "come over the mountain" with the number of coronavirus cases declining, Bellone said the focus is on reopening the economy safely.

On Thursday, in Phase 1, segments of the economy opened including manufacturing, construction, wholesale trade, retail with curbside pickup and agriculture, Bellone said: "We are ready for this."

From the first, he said, Suffolk County has also focused on the devastating impacts to the economy, creating a business recovery unit, conducting a survey of business owners, and partnering with Stony Brook University's College of Business to support Main Street businesses.

As Gov. Andrew Cuomo met with President Donald Trump Wednesday, Bellone agreed with the governor about the critical importance of investing in "critically needed" infrastructure, including sewer systems in Suffolk County and other projects. "If this is not the moment to get it done, I don't know what is," he said.

Virtual Career and Talent Portal

As part of the Suffolk Forward initiative, Bellone announced the launch of a new virtual career and talent portal that can match up those looking for work with potential employers.

The old Department of Labor job search function, Bellone said, was a "slow, manual process . . . time-consuming and antiquated." The new effort allows the search to be done virtually, he said. "It's a one-stop shop for employers and employees," Bellone said. As soon as a job posting goes live, prospective employees will get an alert in real time.

Veterans will also be prioritized.

The new portal, he said, will help in recovery efforts. For information, click here.

Hospitalizations soon to dip below 300

As of Wednesday, the total number of individuals who have tested positive for coronavirus countywide stands at 39,258; a total of 59 new cases were reported over 24 hours, Bellone said.

A total of 12,694 have tested positive for antibodies, he said.

Hospitalizations countywide have declined by 30 to 305. "Getting it below 300 would be a milestone for us," Bellone said.

The number of patients in ICU is now below 100 for the first time since March; that number dipped by 12 to a total of 94, Bellone said.

Hospital capacity stands at 3,071 beds with 1,111 available, or 63 percent; there are a total of 595 ICU beds in Suffolk County with 242 available, or 60 percent, Bellone said.

Nine patients have been discharged over the past 24 hours — and 10 others have died, bringing the total number of deaths to 1,861.

Baby news

Bellone lauded Suffolk County Fire Rescue Services dispatcher Elizabeth Christensen, who also serves with the Sayville Fire Department; on Tuesday, she got a 911 call from a woman in active labor and talked her through the steps. The baby was born within two minutes, with Christensen guiding the mom over the phone, Bellone said.

"We thank her for her service, for her cool and calm demeanor. Elixabeth is a great example of the talented and dedicated people that we have working as dispatchers, as part of our first responder team," Bellone said.