In response to soaring COVID-19 numbers across Long Island, Stony Brook Southampton Hospital will suspend all hospital and emergency department visitation effective Friday, November 27.
“While we recognize the positive health benefits a visit from a loved one or friend can have on a patient’s recovery, the safety and well-being of all our patients and our staff is our first priority,” according to a statement from the hospital.
Exceptions will be made for pediatric patients, as well as patients with intellectual and developmental disabilities, cognitive impairments such as dementia, patients in immediate end-of-life care, and those whose support person is essential for medical reasons.
Visitors will not be permitted in obstetrics, either, other than a designated support person or a doula/midwife for patients in labor, delivery, and the remainder of admission.
On Thanksgiving Eve, Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone warned that a spike in positive COVID-19 cases following the holiday is “virtually guaranteed” if proper precautions are not taken.
“I think we all have to recognize the risk from this virus to our health and to our economic recovery,” he said during a press briefing on Wednesday afternoon. “So I continue to urge everyone to follow the guidance limiting gatherings to a maximum of 10 people and, even in these small gatherings, make sure you’re practicing social distancing and, when appropriate, when you’re not just with your immediate family, wear a face covering.”
In the last 24 hours, 501 people tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the county to a 4-percent positivity rate — the highest it’s seen since mid-May, according to Suffolk Health Commissioner Dr. Gregson Pigott. Hospitalizations have also jumped to 161, up from 55 three weeks ago, with contact tracing pointing to household gatherings as the source of many clusters, explained Dr. Shaheda Iftikhar, deputy commissioner for the Department of Health Services.
“Small gatherings on Thanksgiving Day are, no question, a major source of concern regarding additional community spread of the virus,” Mr. Bellone said. “We know that tonight, the night before Thanksgiving, is also typically a time of large gatherings, particularly for young people.”
With support from additional patrols, the Suffolk County Police Department will be “out in full force tonight,” the county executive said, performing compliance checks and ensuring that bars and restaurants are shutting down indoor service by 10 p.m. Any residential visits will be complaint driven, he assured, not door-to-door.
“There is so much at stake here,” Mr. Bellone said. “So as we all look to come together and celebrate with family tomorrow, in a Thanksgiving that will be different, that will be smaller than we’re used to, I can say that I am confident that on the horizon, we have within our reach getting past this virus. Next Thanksgiving will be a different Thanksgiving. It will be a normal Thanksgiving. I am fully confident of that. But we have some tough months to get through ahead.”
Staff Writer on Nov 25, 2020