Coronavirus

The Suffolk County Health Department confirmed that a 70-year-old East Hampton Village man had tested positive for COVID-19 and is now under quarantine, Mayor Richard Lawler announced.

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced Monday morning that the governors of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut have jointly agreed to close gyms, movie theaters, and casinos across the region, and restrict restaurants and bars to takeout and delivery service effective Monday at 8 p.m.

Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone on Sunday afternoon announced in a local emergency order that schools across the county will close for two weeks beginning Monday, March 16.

In the interest of keeping our readers and our community informed about health-related matters, this week The East Hampton Star removed the paywall for all of its virus-related coverage, meaning that you can read these stories for free whether you are a subscriber or not.

A woman in her late 70s became East Hampton Town's first confirmed case of COVID-19, the town announced Thursday night.

In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Town of East Hampton on Friday declared a state of emergency, canceled most meetings, and announced initiatives to allow essential government functions to continue while minimizing face-to-face contact and residents’ need to visit Town Hall and other town facilities. 

A number of conveniences are available so you don't have to leave the house.

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo waived a key public education mandate on Friday afternoon, saying during a press conference that districts could choose to close if they wished and they would not be penalized for holding fewer than 180 school days.

At least one East Hampton doctor has begun making house calls to the elderly, a new triage unit is being set up at Stony Brook Southampton Hospital, East Hampton Town has closed its senior citizens center, a family in Montauk remains under a precautionary two-week quarantine at home after returning from Italy on Monday, and the Sag Harbor School District announced it will close through March 22.

Update: There remains one confirmed case of COVID-19 in East Hampton Town, County Executive Steve Bellone said Saturday during a press conference at about noon, as the number of cases in Suffolk rose to 37.

Sag Harbor and Amagansett became the first school districts to announce closures in an attempt stem the spread of COVID-19 — Sag Harbor will close through March 22, Amagansett through March 29.

The man in his 40s is being treated at Stony Brook Southampton Hospital, and the brewing company has closed its Peconic location for a thorough cleaning. As of Tuesday morning, he remained the county's only confirmed case of the virus.

The family returned from Italy this week, had no contact with the Montauk School since their return, and will be in precautionary quarantine at home for 14 days.

The Montauk St. Patrick's Day Parade has been canceled, and as COVID-19 takes hold in Suffolk County many organizations have closed or canceled programs as a precautionary measure. The Star will update this list as new information becomes available.

A man who was confirmed as Suffolk County's first coronavirus patient on Sunday is improving while reportedly in the care of Stony Brook Southampton Hospital, and one person he had come in contact with is under mandatory quarantine, according to Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone.

Seventy-three State University of New York students recalled from study-abroad programs were on a plane Saturday to Kennedy Airport, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said in a news conference at noon, and some could be quarantined at the Stony Brook Southampton campus.

As the coronavirus creeps ever closer to the East End, municipalities, hospital officials, schools, and even a grassroots organization are preparing for a possible outbreak.