Suffolk Coronavirus: Uptick In Infection Rate; Caution Urged

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY — As the infection rate for those testing positive with coronavirus reflected an uptick Monday, Suffolk County Steve Bellone told residents to remain on guard.

A total of 84 new positive cases were reported in Suffolk County Monday, "one of the highest" seen in some time, Bellone said. Out of 4,517 tested, the 84 positive cases reflected an infection rate of 1.9 percent, Bellone said, also the highest the county has seen in days.

So far, a total of 42,112 individuals have tested positive for coronavirus in Suffolk County, with 20,751 testing positive for coronavirus antibodies, he said.

The numbers were a critical reminder, Bellone said.

"As we continue to reopen we want to remind everyone of the importance of practicing social distancing and following both New York State and CDC guidelines. We can see what’s going on in the country. We have been able to flatten curve — the goal is to keep going. We've done very well, we want to make sure that continues," Bellone said.

Anyone who attended a July 4 party or any large gathering should "be sensitive to what you are feeling," Bellone said. "Pay attention to your symptoms. You may want to reconsider your plans over the next 14 days, especially if you are involved with vulnerable friends and family."

Those who develop symptoms should remember that it is important to be tested — and to isolate, Bellone said.

With labs "inundated with tests," those waiting from five to seven days for results should not assume that they do not have the virus, he said.

"The other point that is very important — share your information about people you have been in contact with when an investigator from the Department of Health calls you to contact you about your case," Bellone said.

While an individual's ID is confidential, it's important to share information about those who they have been in close contact with, to stop the spread of the coronavirus, Bellone said.

"The bottom line: Be smart. If you attend a gathering in which the social distancing may not be strictly adhered to, be conscious of any symptoms, be aware that we know asymptomatic spread is something that occurs," he said.

When asked if the increase in numbers had anything to do with the July 4 holiday, Bellone said that he would not make an assessment based on a single day's numbers and said the numbers would be closely monitored this week. But he said the higher numbers had triggered the need for a reminder to the public about staying the course.

Suffolk County is utilizing contract tracing to determine where new cases were originating, Bellone said; work is ongoing to refine and hone contact tracing, he said.

While there have been no specific instances of individuals refusing outright to provide information to the Department of Health, Bellone said there have been individual cases where people are not being "completely forthcoming" about who they've been in contact with. "But there's been nothing on a wide-scale basis at this point," he said.

When asked what the county is doing in terms of preparing for a potential second surge, Bellone said a field hospital set up by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers remains in place through the fall, due to the "possibility of a second wave, when flu season, mixing with the second wave, may create a scenario that could be worse than the first wave," he said.

Also, Bellone said, Suffolk is focusing on contact tracing and getting the process as efficient as possible.

The other numbers Monday, Bellone said, "look very good."

Hospitalizations were down to 40 in the 24-hour period ending July 11, a number Suffolk hasn't seen since March. A total of 14 patients remain in ICU. Hospital capacity stands at 3,032, with 923 beds available, or a 70 percent capacity. There are 430 ICU beds, with 168 available, or a 61 percent capacity rate, Bellone said.

A total of 13 patients have gone home over 24 hours —and no patients have died.