PATCHOGUE, NY — The coronavirus outbreak is continuing to spread across the country and especially on Long Island. On Saturday, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that Long Island is a hot spot for the new coronavirus. The pandemic has affected several aspects of daily life for local residents including the closure of schools and many businesses. The number of cases of the illness caused by the virus, known as COVID-19, continue to rise and additional measures and closures continue to be announced.
On Monday, Cuomo extended his order all for nonessential workers to stay home, known as NY PAUSE, until April 29. Nonessential businesses will also remain closed during that time.
Click here to see a full list of essential businesses.
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As of Thursday morning, there were 18,602 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Suffolk County with 3,097 cases in the Town of Brookhaven. Here’s how Patchogue and its neighboring communities fare:
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PATCHOGUE: 66
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NORTH PATCHOGUE: 37
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EAST PATCHOGUE: 202
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BLUE POINT: 21
Here are the latest local updates from Patchogue:
SCHOOLS
Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone first closed all schools for two weeks on March 15. On Monday, Gov. Cuomo announced that all schools across New York will remain closed until April 29.
BUSINESSES
Patchogue restaurants and bars are offering options such as takeout, curbside pickup, drive-thru and delivery. Click here to see Patch’s local business guide.
SCHOOLS
Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone first closed all schools for two weeks on March 15. On Monday, Gov. Cuomo announced that all schools across New York will remain closed until April 29.
BUSINESSES
Patchogue restaurants and bars are offering options such as takeout, curbside pickup, drive-thru and delivery. Click here to see Patch’s local business guide.
HOSPITALS
Long Island Community Hospital in Patchogue has updated its visitor policy and is “prepared with the appropriate patient care equipment and supplies necessary to treat all patients,” according to its website.
At this time the hospital will no longer allow visitors in the facility. For Emergency Department patients, only one visitor per patient will be available in the waiting room only. For ambulatory surgery patients, only one visitor will be allowed to be called in at time of discharge. All visitors will continue to be screened.
In addition at the entry points of the hospital as well as at all of the outpatient locations, they will be are screening all patients for the coronavirus, flu and other infectious diseases.
CANCELLATIONS/CLOSURES
The Diocese of Rockville Centre announced that all funerals, weddings and other services at Catholic churches across Long Island are canceled. Last month, the Diocese said all masses for a month — including all Holy Week and Easter services — would be canceled due to the coronavirus.
The Town of Brookhaven residents who have business with the town to use online services or contact town personnel by phone or email in order to reduce crowds at town hall to help prevent the spread of the virus. Click here for other town closures and cancellations.
The town also announced the following closures and suspensions:
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All 75 playgrounds to the public until further notice
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All dog parks until further notice
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All town basketball courts to the public until further notice
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All town tennis and pickleball courts to the public until further notice
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All town handball and volleyball courts to the public until further notice
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All town golf courses to the public until further notice
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Suspended sale of resident stickers to the public until further notice
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All events scheduled or issued a permit for use of parks facilities to the public through April 30
The blood drive scheduled at Brookhaven Town Hall on April 9 has also been cancelled.
Both Suffolk County and the Village of Patchogue declared a State of Emergency. Village Hall is closed to the public. The village election is postponed until June. Village Court will not be in regular session.
Coronavirus in New York
This article originally appeared on the Patchogue Patch