Gov. Cuomo expresses concern for LI's hospital system as coronavirus cases rise

Gov. Andrew Cuomo has expressed concern for Long Island and its hospital system as reported coronavirus cases continue to rise in both Nassau and Suffolk counties.
Cuomo says six of the hospitals he has identified as hotspots are on Long Island. They include Northwell Health's LIJ Medical Center, North Shore University Hospital, St. Francis Hospital, Good Samartian Hospital, NYU-Winthrop Hospital and Stony Brook University Hospital.
"Two of the six hospitals for Northwell are right on the border of Queens and Nassau County and that is the reason … because there are a lot of patients from Queens," says Northwell Health Dr. David Battinelli.
Cases in Nassau jumped to 13,346 Saturday morning, while Suffolk is up to 11,370.
But Battinelli says he has found some good news in the distressing numbers.
"We're not seeing the type of increase in cases you see in the community in the hospital," he says.
Cases statewide are up over 113,000, with the death toll surpassing 3,500.
Both county executives say that the sharp rise in cases are taxing Long Island's hospital system.
Cuomo signed an executive order that allows the state to take ventilators and personal protective equipment from public and private organizations and redirect them to hospitals treating COVID-19 patients.
Battinelli says Northwell has the supplies, equipment and personnel it needs to handle the expected influx, especially because he believes the apex is near.
 
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