With an increase in coronavirus cases Tuesday in Suffolk County, doctors and local officials warn that it is still important to follow the guidelines for social distancing.
Backyard barbecues, pool parties, and family gatherings are allowed under phase four guidelines, provided no more than 50 people attend. But doctors say it’s important to remember that the potential for exposure to COVID-19 still exists, especially if people don’t follow the guidelines.
“Those things shouldn’t come as a surprise. We should expect that as people gather together without masks and without social estrangement, the virus is easily transferred from person to person,” says Dr. David Hirschwerk of Northwell Health. “It is still a virus for which we have no immunity, and it is highly contagious and the spread will continue unless we do what we have to do.”
Among the events that have raised concern was a Fourth of July party in Holtsville. County officials say four of the 18 attendees tested positive. Party goers followed the proper orientation at the event, according to officials, so no appointments were issued. There were fewer than 25 people at the meeting, but facial covers were removed at critical moments, according to the Suffolk health commissioner.
Suffolk infection rate is now 2%, up from 1% and lower in previous weeks. The number of new cases reached 102 on Tuesday. And since June 24, 42% of positive cases correspond to people under 30 years of age.
“I think it is horrible, they are not taking it seriously enough as they should. There are too many meetings, too many partying, it is not a free game,” says Natale Manzo of Hampton Bays. “We have to change our lifestyle and we must really instill it in our youth.”
On Tuesday, Suffolk executive Steve Bellone issued a stern warning about wearing masks and complying with CDC guidelines.
“If we see these numbers continue to rise, we will not be able to open our schools, we will see more economic devastation and we will see more lives lost and that is unacceptable,” says Bellone.
Authorities said 10 Suffolk first responders working on the beaches of Smith Point and Cupsogue County tested positive. They are believed to have contracted the virus at a party while off duty.
Bellone’s office confirmed that infection rates for Wednesday fell back to 1%, with 53 new cases. In Nassau, there were 39 new cases with an infection rate of less than 1%.
