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Covid-19: Long Island Sees New Positive-Test Rate Increase; Latest Breakdown By Community

New COVID-19-related deaths were reported in both Nassau and Suffolk County as the positive infection rate approaches 4 percent across Long Island with variants of the virus spreading.

The Suffolk County COVID-19 map on Tuesday, Aug. 17.

The Suffolk County COVID-19 map on Tuesday, Aug. 17.

Photo Credit: Suffolk County
The Nassau County COVID-19 breakdown on Tuesday, Aug. 17.

The Nassau County COVID-19 breakdown on Tuesday, Aug. 17.

Photo Credit: Nassau County

On Long Island, the average seven-day COVID-19 infection rate among those tested held steady at 3.69 percent on Friday, Aug. 13, and Saturday, Aug. 14 before jumping up to 3.84 percent the following day and 3.90 percent on Monday, Aug. 16.

As recently as three weeks ago, the infection rate was closer to 2 percent.

Statewide, the positive infection rate jumped from 2.86 percent to 3.13 percent during that stretch, the first time New York has been above the 3 percent threshold for at least a week straight since the Delta variant became the dominant strain of the virus.

In Nassau, 338 new COVID-19 infections were confirmed, bringing the total to 192,939, while Suffolk saw 280 new cases, as the total hit 209,892 since the pandemic began in March last year.

Four new virus-related deaths were reported in Nassau on Monday, bringing the total to 3,200 since the pandemic began, while the death toll in Suffolk rose by one to 3,427.

Three new COVID-19 fatalities were reported in the Bronx, with two each in Erie, Kings, and Richmond counties, and single deaths in Cortland, Manhattan, Rensselaer, and Washington counties.

Average seven-day Infection rates in the state’s 10 regions on Aug. 16, according to the state Department of Health:

  • Central New York: 4.76 percent (up .09 percent);
  • Capital Region: 4.55 percent (down .03 percent);
  • Finger Lakes: 4.20 percent (down .05 percent);
  • North Country: 4.18 percent (down .05 percent);
  • Long Island: 3.90 percent (up .07 percent);
  • Southern Tier: 3.75 percent (up .03 percent);
  • Mohawk Valley: 3.67 percent (down .10 percent);
  • Western New York: 3.27 percent (down .03 percent);
  • Hudson Valley: 3.25 percent (up .09 percent);
  • New York City: 2.60 percent (up .02 percent).

Each of the 10 regions has seen a marked spike in infection rates in the past several weeks as the virus continues spreading.

At the beginning of July, no single region had an infection rate above 1.50 percent.

The latest breakdown of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Suffolk County, according. to the Department of Health as of Tuesday, Aug. 17:

  • Brookhaven: 60,975;
  • Islip: 51,099;
  • Babylon: 29,747;
  • Huntington: 24,000;
  • Smithtown: 14,900;
  • Southampton: 6,085;
  • Riverhead: 3,764;
  • East Hampton: 1,800;
  • Southold: 1,724;
  • Shelter Island: 72.

According to the latest data from the county Department of Health, the most cases in Nassau County have been recorded in:

  • Levittown: 5,941;
  • Hempstead: 4,820;
  • Hicksville: 4,792;
  • Freeport: 4,481;
  • Valley Stream: 4,280;
  • East Meadow: 4,103;
  • Elmont: 3,698;
  • Oceanside: 3,594;
  • Franklin Square: 3,471;
  • Long Beach: 3,420;
  • Glen Cove: 3,205;
  • Uniondale: 2,931;
  • Massapequa: 2,578;
  • Rockville Centre: 2,495;
  • Baldwin: 2,493;
  • Woodmere: 2,261;
  • Wantagh: 2,234;
  • North Bellmore: 2,178;
  • Plainview: 2,169;
  • North Massapequa: 2,162;
  • West Hempstead: 2,159;
  • Bellmore: 2,085;
  • Merrick: 2,073;
  • Mineola: 2,071;
  • Garden City: 2,013;
  • East Massapequa: 2,010;
  • Lynbrook: 1,990.

There were 90,571 COVID-19 tests administered in New York on Aug. 16, according to the Department of Health, resulting in 3,567 newly confirmed infections for a 3.94 percent daily infection rate, up from 3.61 percent the previous day.

Ninety-one new COVID-19 patients were admitted to New York hospitals with the virus as the number rose to 1,813 being treated statewide, up more than 750 from approximately a week ago.

A total of 77.7 percent of New Yorkers over the age of 18 have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, while 70 percent are fully vaccinated. Officials said that 65.4 percent of all New Yorkers have received at least one dose, with 58.5 percent completing the vaccination process.

As of Aug. 17, 1,677,944 (4,337 new) first doses have been administered to Long Island residents, while 1,503,268 (3,232 new) have completed the process, both among the highest rates in the state.

"Those who remain unvaccinated leave themselves and their loved ones exposed to the Delta variant making its way across the country," New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said. "We've come so far and we can't afford to go backward on the progress we've made in our fight against the virus. 

"The vaccine is safe, effective, easily accessible, and the best way to keep your community safe. If you haven't already, get yours today."

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