Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone has released the following statement on the County’s ongoing response to COVID-19:
“For the second day in a row, Suffolk’s positivity rate is above 5 percent, an alarming number we have not seen since the spring. With 966 new cases, we are beginning to see the first signs of the post-Thanksgiving holiday surge we had warned about.
“Luckily, we have taken a proactive approach in addressing the second wave of COVID-19. We have been here before, we know how and where this virus spreads, and we have the blueprints needed to once again flatten the curve. We know that small gatherings among family and friends have the highest transmission of all events – more than 65% of new cases in the State are being traced back to small gatherings.
“With some of the most challenging days ahead as we try to navigate the Holiday season, now is the time to double down on the common sense measures that work. Social distancing and mask guidelines are essential to beating back this virus and ensuring our hospital system does not get overwhelmed. While a vaccine is on the horizon, our actions these next 30 plus days will be critical to our continued recovery.”
