The holidays are in the rearview mirror, but coronavirus numbers are still rising on Long Island – and now, so many people are trying to get tested that emergency call centers are having to refuse some.
The CityMD in Lake Grove was unattended for the day at 11am. Those lucky enough to get a spot were asked to wait in their cars until it was their turn to enter.
Long Island’s positive rate continues to rise, with the seven-day average now at 8.8%. Suffolk’s seven-day moving average stands at 9.7% and Nassau’s at 7.9%.
Dr. Robert Levy of AFC Urgent Care says his test sites are also full every day. He says he fears the numbers could get even worse before he gets better.
Suffolk County executive Steve Bellone is urging residents to calm down now that the holidays are over. Nassau executive Laura Curran is reminding everyone to follow COVID-19’s security measures to help keep businesses and schools open.
On New Year’s Day, 25 Long Islanders died as a result of COVID-19 – 17 were from Suffolk and eight were from Nassau.