NASSAU COUNTY, NY – Yesterday marks the highest number of COVID-19 tests conducted in Nassau County since the beginning of the pandemic, with over 9,814 test results reported by the NYS Department of Health for August 27th. Despite this record high number of tests, only half of one percent (0.5%) tested positive for the virus. This is a positive indicator, but we must keep up our progress. Nassau’s hospitals are reporting 33 COVID-19 patients with 13 in ICUs and 2 patients reported on ventilators. Sadly, there has been one new resident death due to COVID-19.
Robust testing is key to successfully navigating the challenges we are set to face this fall. Nassau County is still waiting for the federal government to provide the emergency aid required to prevent further economic catastrophe and gutting of essential services – including continued robust COVID-19 testing. I want to thank Governor Cuomo for his leadership, including making sure New York continues to ramp up COVID-19 testing instead of slowing it down. We need more testing with quicker results – not less testing altogether.
Nassau has successfully held the line at 1% positivity throughout the summer, but September will be a new challenge. None of this is easy, but we have no choice but to remain vigilant against a virus that has claimed the life of 2,197 residents and now more than 180,000 fellow Americans. Let’s keep doing what has saved countless lives and allowed Long Island to reopen safely: wearing a mask and social distancing.