Coronavirus

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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 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.