Bellone: ICU patients double in Suffolk as total COVID-19 patients rises to 2,735
County Executive Steve Bellone says residents should continue to practice social distancing to support health care workers. "The best way to support them is to do all we can to flatten the curve."
News 12 Staff
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Mar 26, 2020, 5:18 PM
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Updated 1,500 days ago
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Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone announced that there was a “significant rise” in hospitalizations in recent days throughout Suffolk with the amount of ICU patients doubling due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
He says there are 2,735 positive COVID-19 cases, 287 patients hospitalized and 103 patients in intensive care. According to the county executive, the best way to support health care workers is by staying home to “flatten the curve.”
He also announced the death of two more residents. Both were men in their 80s and had underlying conditions.
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Bellone also announced that the COVID-19 crisis has led to a dramatic rise in applications to benefit programs. He says on an average day, applications for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) reach about 75. Earlier this week, applications rose to 194. On Wednesday, it reached 222. Bellone says they are training new workers that will help process those applications.
He also said that his message to struggling small businesses is that the county “will be with you for the long haul” as they continue to come up with solutions to the economic crisis.
Notes from the teleconference:
- County Executive Steve Bellone says residents should continue to practice social distancing to support health care workers. "The best way to support them is to do all we can to flatten the curve."
- "Suffolk County Police Department will continue to enforce" measures against nonessential businesses not conforming to social distancing guidelines. Call 311 with concerns about those businesses.
- Bellone says Department of Labor will educate those businesses before any disciplinary actions are enforced.
- 2,735 positive cases in Suffolk County. Hospitalizations at 287 patients. ICU patients have doubled in several days to 103.
- Belone announces the death of two more Suffolk County residents. One was a male in his late 80s who died at Southampton Hospital on Wednesday. The second patient was a man from Peconic Landing in his 80s. They each had underlying medical conditions.
- Bellone calls 3.3 million unemployment claims nationwide a "staggering number."
- Bellone says applications for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) have risen dramatically. He says on an average day, there are 75 new applications. Earlier this week, there was 194. On Wednesday, there were 222 new applications. The county executive says they are training new workers to get those applications processed quickly.
- The message to small businesses: "We will be with you for the long haul."
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