Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone says four attendees at a July 4 party ended up contracting COVID-19, lower numbers than previously reported by Governor Andrew Cuomo.
The party, which took place in Holtsville, saw 22% of attendees contract the virus. Earlier in the day, Cuomo’s office said 35% of attendees at this event ended up being positive for COVID-19.
Bellone said the governor’s office reached the 35% figure using preliminary data for people who were “under investigation.”
Bellone also added that the Holtsville party did not violate any ordinance as meetings of up to 50 people are allowed during phase four.
Suffolk health officials say they believe the people who attended the party did not wear face covers during significant parts of the event.
During Tuesday’s press conference, Bellone said overall positive tests were higher than seen since May, with more than 100 new positive cases in Suffolk.
Although the county saw no new deaths for the third consecutive day, the infection rate increased more than 2%. The numbers had been around 1% for the past few weeks before rising to 1.9% on Monday.
Bellone opened his lecture with a mask, with a message to follow CDC’s guidance, specifically for those in the younger age group. Bellone says that since June 24, 42% of new positives have come from the younger age group.
Suffolk health officials also say that none of the new positive cases has been linked to the Fire Island Pines party or the Montauk meetings.
