Here’s the latest on the coronavirus outbreak in the region:
- Connecticut had a slight rise in coronavirus deaths, with 69 reported on Saturday after 54 on Friday. The number of people hospitalized with the virus in the state dropped by 57, to 937. There were 716 new cases on Saturday.
- In New York, there were almost 1,900 new cases. 280 were on Long Island, and 127 were in Westchester. There were 139 deaths statewide.
- Officials had to close more than a dozen parks and beaches in Connecticut over the weekend because they reached capacity.
- Connecticut will distribute 50,000 infrared thermometers to small businesses, nonprofits and places of worship that have been approved for reopening on Wednesday.
- New York State says it now has 700 testing sites that can conduct up to 40,000 coronavirus tests each day. Many drive-in test locations are testing at only one-third of their capacity. Gov. Andrew Cuomo has expanded eligibility for testing. “Any New Yorker who has any symptom of COVID-19 may now get a test. The expanded eligibility also includes people without symptoms if they’re an essential worker, and anyone who’s returning to work as part of the phase one reopening.”
- Long Island officials are criticizing New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio’s decision not to open the city’s beaches for swimming over the Memorial Day Weekend. They fear city residents will flood Long Island beaches instead. A spokesperson for Nassau County Executive Laura Curran says de Blasio is “skirting his responsibility.” State Senator Todd Kaminsky of Long Beach told Newsday that the region needs to be on the same page when it comes to reopening.
Read the latest on WSHU’s coronavirus coverage here.
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