Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone gave his daily COVID-19 update and discussed demonstrations in the county.

 

Bellone said over the weekend there has been a number of demonstrations through Suffolk, for different reasons. Some are out for reopening the economy and some demonstrations are about the death of George Floyd. Suffolk police are working to keep everyone safe. The demonstrations have been peaceful. He thanked the community for demonstrating in a peaceful, lawful way.

Bellone said to make change that matters, then you have to think about how to change the structure - and that's how progress is made.

Bellone discussed former District Attorney Thomas Spota and his abuse of powers. 

Bellone has called for a change in the way  Suffolk selects judges. He said it is important to have as independent a judiciary as possible. 

He said is is grateful to the public for demonstrating in a peaceful way and the police department which continues to build bridges.

Over the post 24 hours people who tested positive for COVID-19 increased by 111.

A total of 39, 643 tested positive in the county.

A total of 13,953 people tested positive for antibodies.

Hospitalizations continue to decline, down to 269 people in the hospital - a  decrease of six. 

There has been a decrease in ICU beds - now 74 people

Bellone said 1,127 beds are available at the hospital - at 64% capacity.

He said there were 601 ICU beds, and 264 are available.- at 56% capacity.

Twenty-four people were discharged over the past 24 hours.

The number of deaths in the past 24 hours was an additional nine people, for a total of  1,901 total deaths.

MORE: LIVE BLOG - Coronavirus updates from the tri-state area and beyond 

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