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New York Department of Health

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COVID-19: Subvariant XBB Rapidly Spreading Statewide, Prompting NY Health Department Warning COVID-19: Subvariant XBB Rapidly Spreading Statewide, Prompting NY Health Department Warning
Covid-19: Subvariant XBB Rapidly Spreading Statewide, Prompting NY Health Department Warning As the new COVID-19 variant named XBB.1.5 rapidly spreads through New York, officials are urging people to receive their booster shots to protect themselves.  Earlier Report - COVID-19: Subvariant XBB Accounts For 70% Of Tristate NY Cases, Sparking Concerns Of New Wave The variant, which spreads more quickly than other currently circulating strains of the virus, is already making up more than 50 percent of cases in the state, making it the predominant strain, according to the New York Department of Health.  Although it is not yet clear if the XBB.1.5 variant is more se…

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by Ben Crnic
News
Long Island Nursing Home Stole $22.6M In Government Funds, AG Says Long Island Nursing Home Stole $22.6M In Government Funds, AG Says
Long Island Nursing Home Stole $22.6M In Government Funds, AG Says Millions of dollars in public funding that should’ve gone to caring for residents of a New York nursing home were instead diverted into the pockets of its greedy owners, according to a lawsuit from Attorney General Letitia James. The suit, filed Friday, Dec. 16, alleges a years-long fraud scheme carried out by the owners of Long Island’s Cold Spring Hills Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation, located in Woodbury. Earlier Report: East Meadow Nursing Home's $16M Fraud Scheme Led To 'Devastating' Resident Abuse, AG Says An investigation by the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) found that…

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by Michael Mashburn
News
COVID-19: Long Island Sees Increases In Infection Rate, Cases; Latest Breakdown By Community COVID-19: Long Island Sees Increases In Infection Rate, Cases; Latest Breakdown By Community
Covid-19: Long Island Sees Increases In Infection Rate, Cases; Latest Breakdown By Community The positive COVID-19 infection rate on Long Island is approaching double digits as New York continues to contend with the latest surge of fresh cases of the virus. In Nassau and Suffolk counties, the seven-day average percent of positive tests rose to 9.96, according to the latest update from the state Department of Health on Tuesday, May 10, up from 8.37 percent a week prior. Statewide, the average infection rate is on the decline, dipping from 7.23 percent on Saturday, May 7 to 7.03 percent of those tested on Monday, May 9. Twenty-one new COVID-19-related deaths were reported in New Yor…

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: Long Island Infection Rate Nears 9 Percent As Cases Climb; New Breakdown By Community COVID-19: Long Island Infection Rate Nears 9 Percent As Cases Climb; New Breakdown By Community
Covid-19: Long Island Infection Rate Nears 9 Percent As Cases Climb; New Breakdown By Community The positive COVID-19 infection rate on Long Island continues to surge as it approaches 9 percent as the virus continues to rapidly spread through the region. In Nassau and Suffolk counties, the seven-day average percent of positive tests rose to 8.94 percent on Thursday, May 5, according to the most recent update by the state Department of Health, up from 8.37 percent two days earlier on Tuesday, May 3. Statewide, the average infection rate is also on the rise, up to 6.85 percent on May 5 - down slightly from the previous day - but up dramatically after staying below 2 percent for several …

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: Long Island Sees New Increases In Infection Rate, Number Of Cases; Latest Breakdown COVID-19: Long Island Sees New Increases In Infection Rate, Number Of Cases; Latest Breakdown
Covid-19: Long Island Sees New Increases In Infection Rate, Number Of Cases; Latest Breakdown With the holidays approaching, Long Island continues to see a rise in new COVID-19 infections as the region and state both saw the infection rate climb over 3.20 percent after plateauing earlier in 2022. The average seven-day COVID-19 positive infection rate on Long Island rose nearly .20 points, up to 3.31 percent of those tested on Tuesday, April 5, though it remains one of the lowest rates of New York's 10 regions. Statewide, the positivity rate is also on the rise, up to 3.22 percent on April 5 after hovering below 2 percent for several weeks, according to the most recent update from th…

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: Long Island Sees New Increases In Cases, Infection Rate; Latest Data By Community COVID-19: Long Island Sees New Increases In Cases, Infection Rate; Latest Data By Community
Covid-19: Long Island Sees New Increases In Cases, Infection Rate; Latest Data By Community New York continues to see a rise in new COVID-19 infections across the state, including on Long Island, which is approaching a 2 percent positive infection rate. The average seven-day average COVID-19 positive infection rate on Long Island has been on the rise after bottoming out earlier this month, ballooning to 1.99 percent of those tested as of Tuesday, March 22, up from below 1.50 percent earlier in March. Related story - COVID-19: US Infections Expected To Rise As Subvariant Cases Triple Every Two Weeks Statewide, the positivity rate is also surging, up to 1.94 percent on March 22. I…

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by Zak Failla
Schools
COVID-19: Mask Mandate Back In Effect In NY After Appeals Court Judge's Ruling COVID-19: Mask Mandate Back In Effect In NY After Appeals Court Judge's Ruling
Covid-19: Mask Mandate Back In Effect In NY After Appeals Court Judge's Ruling A New York Appellate Judge granted a stay in the state’s lawsuit over its COVID-19 indoor mask mandate late Tuesday afternoon, Jan. 25, putting it back in place, including schools, much to the chagrin of some parents. A day earlier, in Nassau County Justice Thomas Rademaker ruled that New York Gov. Kathy Hochul’s office had overstepped its authority with its December mask mandate that was issued through then-acting Health Commissioner Mary T. Bassett. However, the state quickly appealed the decision, and on Tuesday, the mandate was put back in place. Earlier story - COVID-19: Uncertainty …

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: Long Island Seeing Trend Of Less Positive Cases, Lower Infection Rates COVID-19: Long Island Seeing Trend Of Less Positive Cases, Lower Infection Rates
Covid-19: Long Island Seeing Trend Of Less Positive Cases, Lower Infection Rates Long Island is now seeing some relief from the post-holiday surge of new COVID-19 infections as the positivity rate of those being tested for the virus dipped below 25 percent. For three straight days, the seven-day average percentage of positive test results on Long Island dipped from 25.58 percent on Sunday, Jan. 9, to 25.14 the following day, and down to 24.33 percent on Tuesday, Jan. 11, still the highest in the state. Statewide, the positivity rate is also on the decline, to 20.22 percent on Jan. 11, as most of the state's 10 regions have seen COVID-19 either plateauing or declining fo…

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by Zak Failla
Lifestyle
COVID-19: Savannah Guthrie Tests Positive After Upstate NY Birthday Party COVID-19: Savannah Guthrie Tests Positive After Upstate NY Birthday Party
Covid-19: Savannah Guthrie Tests Positive After Upstate NY Birthday Party NBC “Today” show anchor Savannah Guthrie has become the latest on the program to test positive for a breakthrough COVID-19 infection after reportedly attending a birthday party near her home in the Hudson Valley. Guthrie was a guest on her own show this week to share the news via a video connection from her Dutchess County residence that she has a confirmed COVID infection, despite being fully vaccinated and boosted, though her symptoms are reportedly extremely mild. Her announcement came after co-anchor Hoda Kotb tested positive for a breakthrough case last week, and has since come back to…

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by Zak Failla
Schools
COVID-19: More Long Island Schools Switch To Remote Learning COVID-19: More Long Island Schools Switch To Remote Learning
Covid-19: More Long Island Schools Switch To Remote Learning While classes resumed for students on Long Island on Monday, Jan. 3, not all did so in-person as the region battles the highly transmissible Omicron COVID-19 variant that has become the dominant strain in the US. Most of Long Island’s 124 school districts reopened on Monday morning, though some faced staffing shortages that forced them to go remote for various reasons. Earlier story - COVID-19: Some Long Island Districts Switch To Remote Learning In Nassau County, at least three districts - Freeport, Westbury, and Hicksville - announced that they would be transitioning to their distance le…

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by Zak Failla
News
NY Sees Increase In Flu Cases: Here Are Most Affected Counties NY Sees Increase In Flu Cases: Here Are Most Affected Counties
NY Sees Increase In Flu Cases: Here Are Most Affected Counties With all eyes concentrating on the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, flu season has quietly snuck up on New Yorkers, which reported hundreds of new cases of influenza, according to the state Department of Health. In the latest update from the Department of Health, New York recorded 980 cases of influenza out of more than 49,000 tests that were conducted, marking the “first week widespread activity has been reported following one week of regional activity.” According to health officials, 47 counties reported cases of influenza, with just five having none. The hardest-hit areas, with more than 10 …

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: Long Island Positive-Test Rate Soars Past 4.50 Percent; New Breakdown By Community COVID-19: Long Island Positive-Test Rate Soars Past 4.50 Percent; New Breakdown By Community
Covid-19: Long Island Positive-Test Rate Soars Past 4.50 Percent; New Breakdown By Community Thanksgiving gatherings across Long Island helped lead to a surge of new COVID-19 infections as the positivity rate soared past 4.5 percent as the state continues to see a spike in cases. The average seven-day positive infection rate of those tested on Long Island continues to rise, up to 4.62 percent in the latest update from the state Department of Health after sitting below 4 percent for months.  Statewide, the positive infection rate is also surging, up past 4 percent to 4.05 percent in the latest update. In Suffolk, 848 new COVID-19 cases were reported, bringing the total to 254,…

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by Zak Failla
Politics
COVID-19: Hochul Announces Urgent Action Amid Concern Over New Strain Of Virus COVID-19: Hochul Announces Urgent Action Amid Concern Over New Strain Of Virus
Covid-19: Hochul Announces Urgent Action Amid Concern Over New Strain Of Virus New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has announced urgent new protocols to boost hospital capacity amid concern over the new COVID-19 variant and possible spikes in cases this winter.  The governor said in an announcement on Friday, Nov. 26, that the state is preparing for a potential uptick in cases, adding that the Omicron variant has not yet been detected in the state. "We've taken extraordinary action to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and combat this pandemic," Hochul said. "However, we continue to see warning signs of spikes this upcoming winter, and while the new Omicron variant has yet to be …

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by Nicole Valinote
Politics
COVID-19: Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone Tests Positive COVID-19: Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone Tests Positive
Covid-19: Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone Tests Positive One of Long Island’s top elected officials has become the latest to become the victim of a breakthrough COVID-19 infection. Despite being fully vaccinated, Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone announced that he has tested positive for the virus and is experiencing minor symptoms. Bellone said that he will follow all recommended protocols for fully vaccinated people set forward by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) moving forward. The County Executive said that he will quarantine at home for the next seven days, and that no one else in his house or on his staff has test…

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: Long Island Positive-Test Rate Holds Steady; New Case Breakdown By Community COVID-19: Long Island Positive-Test Rate Holds Steady; New Case Breakdown By Community
Covid-19: Long Island Positive-Test Rate Holds Steady; New Case Breakdown By Community The positive COVID-19 infection rate on Long Island continues to trend in the right direction, though both Nassau and Suffolk counties reported new virus-related death in the latest update from the Department of Health. In the past week, the average seven-day positive COVID-19 infection rate on Long Island has declined daily, from 2.99 percent on Friday, Oct. 1 down to 2.71 percent of those tested in the region on Wednesday, Oct. 6. Statewide, the positive infection rate is also dropping, from 2.45 percent to 2.43 percent during the same time frame, up slightly after declining for near…

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: Long Island Infection Rate Stays Steady; New Case Breakdown By Community COVID-19: Long Island Infection Rate Stays Steady; New Case Breakdown By Community
Covid-19: Long Island Infection Rate Stays Steady; New Case Breakdown By Community The positive COVID-19 infection rate on Long Island is down for the third straight day, though multiple new virus-related deaths were reported in both Suffolk and Nassau counties. After spiking above 4.15 percent last week, the average seven-day average positive infection rate for those tested for COVID-19 on Long Island is back on the decline, from 3.85 percent on Saturday, Sept. 18, to 3.84 percent the following day and down to 3.80 percent on Monday, Sept. 20. Statewide, the COVID-19 rate has been fluctuating, from 2.99 percent to 2.95 percent and 2.98 percent over the same time frame. …

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: Long Island Sees New Infection-Rate Increase; Latest Breakdown By Community COVID-19: Long Island Sees New Infection-Rate Increase; Latest Breakdown By Community
Covid-19: Long Island Sees New Infection-Rate Increase; Latest Breakdown By Community There were two new COVID-19 fatalities recorded in both Nassau and Suffolk County as Long Island continues contending with a positive infection rate above 4 percent. In the latest update from the state Department of Health, the average seven-day positive COVID-19 infection rate of those tested on Long Island rose to 4.18 percent on Monday, Sept. 13, up from 4.12 percent the previous day. The statewide positive infection rate has dipped for the third straight day, from 3.22 on Saturday, Sept. 11 to 3.19 percent the following day and down to 3.16 percent on Sept. 13. In Suffolk, 556 new COVI…

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: NY Hospital To Stop Delivering Babies After Unvaccinated Employees Quit, Report Says COVID-19: NY Hospital To Stop Delivering Babies After Unvaccinated Employees Quit, Report Says
Covid-19: NY Hospital To Stop Delivering Babies After Unvaccinated Employees Quit, Report Says A hospital in upstate New York announced that it will have to stop delivering babies after a number of employees in the maternity department quit due to a COVID-19 vaccine requirement, according to a new report. The Watertown Daily Times reported that in the past week, six staff members in the maternity department at Lewis County General Hospital resigned, and seven more unvaccinated employees could join them. Chief Executive Officer Gerald Cayer said the number of resignations has left the Lewis County Health System no other choice but to pause the service at the hospital, the news ou…

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by Nicole Valinote
News
COVID-19: Long Island Positive-Test Rate Increases Again; Latest Community Breakdown COVID-19: Long Island Positive-Test Rate Increases Again; Latest Community Breakdown
Covid-19: Long Island Positive-Test Rate Increases Again; Latest Community Breakdown After seeing a slight reprieve earlier in the month, Long Island has seen the positive COVID-19 infection rate rise for the fourth straight day as it continues to hover above 4 percent. On Long Island, the seven-day average COVID-19 infection rate is up to 4.38 of those tested on Monday, Aug. 30, according to the latest update from the state Department of Health, well above the statewide average of 3.35 percent.  In Nassau, there were 311 newly confirmed COVID-19 cases, bringing the total to 198,481 since the pandemic began in March 2020, while there were 382 in Suffolk as the cumulati…

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: Long Island Sees New Infection-Rate Increase; Latest Breakdown By Community COVID-19: Long Island Sees New Infection-Rate Increase; Latest Breakdown By Community
Covid-19: Long Island Sees New Infection-Rate Increase; Latest Breakdown By Community More than 300 new COVID-19 cases were confirmed in both Nassau and Suffolk counties as the positive COVID-19 infection rate on Long Island is back hovering above 4 percent. After several days of seeing the infection rate drop, the average seven-day positive rate jumped from 4.17 percent to 4.31 percent in the latest update provided by the state Department of Health over the weekend. The statewide infection is also on the rise, up to 3.29 percent, down slightly as other regions in the state contend with variants of the virus.  In Suffolk, 467 new COVID-19 infections were confirmed in t…

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: Long Island Positive-Test Rate Stays Steadily High; New Breakdown By Community COVID-19: Long Island Positive-Test Rate Stays Steadily High; New Breakdown By Community
Covid-19: Long Island Positive-Test Rate Stays Steadily High; New Breakdown By Community The positive COVID-19 infection rate on Long Island is back below 4 percent after peaking over the past week as the Delta variant of the virus continues to plague the country. For the past three days, the average seven-day COVID-19 infection rate on Long Island has dropped, from 4.01 percent on Sunday, Aug. 22, to 3.98 percent the following day, to 3.92 percent in the latest data released by the state Department of Health.  The statewide infection rate has also fallen, from 3.16 percent to 3.13 percent over the same time frame. In Suffolk, 420 new COVID-19 infections were confirmed in…

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: Long Island Sees New Positive-Test Rate Increase; Latest Breakdown By Community COVID-19: Long Island Sees New Positive-Test Rate Increase; Latest Breakdown By Community
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. 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 str…

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: Long Island Sees New Infection-Rate Jump; New Breakdown By Community COVID-19: Long Island Sees New Infection-Rate Jump; New Breakdown By Community
Covid-19: Long Island Sees New Infection-Rate Jump; New Breakdown By Community The positive COVID-19 infection rate on Long Island took another jump over the weekend as local, state, and federal officials continue attempting to corral more transmissible variants of the virus that have been mutating and rapidly spreading. 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 on Sunday, Aug. 15.  As recently as three weeks ago, the infection rate was closer to 2 percent. Statewide, the positive infection rate jumped from 2.86 percent t…

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: Long Island Infection Rate Stays Steadily High; New Breakdown By Community COVID-19: Long Island Infection Rate Stays Steadily High; New Breakdown By Community
Covid-19: Long Island Infection Rate Stays Steadily High; New Breakdown By Community The COVID-19 infection rate on Long Island was actually down slightly from the previous day, but it is still approaching 4 percent as variants of the virus continue to plague New York and the rest of the country. The seven-day average positive COVID-19 infection rate of those tested on Long Island has now risen from 3.50 percent on Friday, Aug. 6 to 3.58 percent the following day, up to 3.59 percent on Sunday, Aug. 8, and back down to 3.57 percent of those tested on Monday, Aug. 9.. A week ago, the infection rate was under 2 percent. Statewide, the positive infection rate jumped from 2.86 …

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: Long Island Sees New Infection Rate Increase; Latest Case Breakdown By Community COVID-19: Long Island Sees New Infection Rate Increase; Latest Case Breakdown By Community
Covid-19: Long Island Sees New Infection Rate Increase; Latest Case Breakdown By Community The COVID-19 infection rate on Long Island continues to rise, approaching 4 percent as variants of the virus continue to rage throughout the region. The seven-day average positive COVID-19 infection rate of those tested on Long Island has now risen from 3.50 percent on Friday, Aug. 6 to 3.58 percent the following day, and up to 3.59 percent on Sunday, Aug. 8.  A week ago, the infection rate was under 2 percent. Statewide, the positive infection rate jumped from 2.86 percent to 2.96 percent in that same time frame. One new virus-related fatality was reported in Suffolk County, bringin…

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: Long Island Infection Rate Jumps Up Again; New Breakdown By Community COVID-19: Long Island Infection Rate Jumps Up Again; New Breakdown By Community
Covid-19: Long Island Infection Rate Jumps Up Again; New Breakdown By Community Alarm bells are sounding on Long Island as the number of new COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations continue to spike as New York fends off more transmissible variants of the virus. According to the Department of Health, the average seven-day positive COVID-19 infection rate on Long Island continues to rise, from 2.92 percent as recently as Saturday, July 31, spiking to 3.35 percent of those tested on Tuesday, Aug. 3.  The infection rate is the second-highest of the state's 10 regions. Statewide, the positive infection rate jumped from 2.46 percent to 2.70 percent in that same time …

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: Long Island Positive-Test Rate Increases Again; New Breakdown By County, Community COVID-19: Long Island Positive-Test Rate Increases Again; New Breakdown By County, Community
Covid-19: Long Island Positive-Test Rate Increases Again; New Breakdown By County, Community Two new COVID-19-related deaths were reported on Long Island as the region's positive infection rate approaches 2.50 percent and the statewide average topped 2 percent for the first time in months. According to the Department of Health, the average seven-day positive COVID-19 infection rate on Long Island reached 2.42 percent on Tuesday, July 27 after hitting the 2 percent threshold last week. It had been below 1 percent for most of the spring and early summer. Statewide, the positive infection rate jumped from 1.97 percent on Monday, July 26 to 2.04 percent on July 27. The new virus-relat…

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: Long Island Sees New Spike In Cases; Latest Breakdown By Community COVID-19: Long Island Sees New Spike In Cases; Latest Breakdown By Community
Covid-19: Long Island Sees New Spike In Cases; Latest Breakdown By Community The positive COVID-19 infection rate on Long Island continues to surge as New York - and the rest of the country - battles the now-dominant Delta strain of the virus.   According to the Department of Health, the seven-day average positive-testing rate for those tested on Long Island rose for the 10th straight day, up to 2.36 percent on Monday, July 26, up from 2.08 percent on Friday, July 23. In the past week, the infection rate has risen more than .60 percent after COVID-19 numbers were below 1 percent for weeks for most of the spring and early summer. There was one new virus-re…

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: Long Island Infection Rate Increases Again; Latest Breakdown By Community COVID-19: Long Island Infection Rate Increases Again; Latest Breakdown By Community
Covid-19: Long Island Infection Rate Increases Again; Latest Breakdown By Community The Delta variant continues to run wild throughout New York as the COVID-19 positive infection rate on Long Island continues to rise, up near 2 percent. According to the Department of Health, the positive-testing rate for those tested on Long Island has hit 1.97 percent as of Thursday, July 22, up from approximately 1 percent less than two weeks ago. There were no new virus-related deaths on Long Island in the past 24 hours, though a single fatality was reported in Erie County. Infection rates in the state’s 10 regions on July 22, according to the state Department of Health: Capital Regi…

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: Long Island Sees New Increase In Positive-Test Rate; Latest Breakdown By County COVID-19: Long Island Sees New Increase In Positive-Test Rate; Latest Breakdown By County
Covid-19: Long Island Sees New Increase In Positive-Test Rate; Latest Breakdown By County The positive COVID-19 infection rate is back to approaching 2 percent on Long Island as the area continues to deal with new variants of the virus. In the past week, the seven-day average positive infection rate on Long Island has risen from 1.28 percent to 1.86 percent of those tested on Wednesday, July 21. Both Nassau (152) and Suffolk (126) saw more than 100 new COVID-19 cases for the first time in weeks, bringing the cumulative number of cases to 185,525 and 202,711, respectively. One new virus-related death was reported in Nassau, bringing the total to 3,846 since the pandemic began, w…

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: Surge In Long Island Cases Highest In Months COVID-19: Surge In Long Island Cases Highest In Months
Covid-19: Surge In Long Island Cases Highest In Months Alarm bells are sounding on Long Island as the area saw more new COVID-19 cases in a single day in several months. Both Nassau (138) and Suffolk (125) saw more than 100 new COVID-19 cases for the first time in weeks, and each county reported a virus-related fatality as the death toll continues to rise. There have now been 3,846 COVID-19 deaths in Nassau and 3,440 in Suffolk. Long Island continues to have among the state’s highest COVID-19 infection rates, rising from 1.28 percent to 1.80 percent in the past week as of those tested on Tuesday, July 20. Infection rates in the state’s 10 re…

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by Zak Failla