Nassau first responders load up on coronavirus equipment, hospital prepared for patient influx

First responders loaded up on virus protection equipment at Nassau's Office of Emergency Management Monday in order to get the tools they need to fight the coronavirus.

News 12 Staff

Mar 16, 2020, 9:31 PM

Updated 1,746 days ago

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Nassau officials are putting several plans of action into effect to "flatten the curve" of coronavirus cases countywide.
First responders loaded up on virus protection equipment at Nassau's Office of Emergency Management Monday in order to get the tools they need to fight the coronavirus.
"Over the last week, OEM has distributed approximately 34,000 pairs of gloves, 4,000 gallons of hand sanitizer and more than 40,000 face masks," says County Executive Laura Curran.
Hicksville Fire Chief Gary Lewis says the equipment will go directly to first responders who need them most to help slow the spread of the virus.
Hospitals on Long Island reported to the county that they have adequate supplies while they gear up for an expected influx of patients. Some hospitals are building special intake areas by emergency rooms to pre-isolate suspected coronavirus cases. But health officials says what needs to be done is increase testing to 6,000 cases per day.
"As more local labs and commercial labs get the approval to do the testing, that will make it a much quicker process," says Nassau Health Commissioner Dr. Lawrence Eisenstein.
The state is in the process of constructing a drive-through testing center at Jones Beach. Officials hope it will be ready soon, and will get the area to its goal of 6,000 tests per day.
In the meantime, officials say social distancing, staying inside and sanitizing will help flatten the curve of cases.