Doctor: Trump may not be 'out of the woods yet'

President Donald Trump drives past supporters gathered outside Walter Reed...

President Donald Trump drives past supporters gathered outside Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Sunday.  Credit: AP/Anthony Peltier

Trump tweeted his plan to leave Monday after a three-day hospitalization with the coronavirus, saying he's feeling good and the nation should not be afraid of the virus that has killed more than 209,000 Americans.

"I will be leaving the great Walter Reed Medical Center today at 6:30 P.M.," Trump tweeted. "Feeling really good! Don’t be afraid of Covid. ... I feel better than I did 20 years ago!"

Dr. Sean Conley, the president’s physician, delivered an update on the president's health on Monday. He says Trump "may not entirely be out of the woods yet" but he and the team "agree that all our evaluations and, most importantly, his clinical status support the president’s safe return home, where he’ll be surrounded by world-class medical care."

Trump's expected return comes as the scale of the outbreak within the White House itself is still being uncovered.

Press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said Monday that she has tested positive and was entering quarantine.

Cuomo: Schools closing Tuesday in NYC's COVID-19 'hot spots'

Local residents get free, city-provided COVID-19 tests from Bio Reference Labs...

Local residents get free, city-provided COVID-19 tests from Bio Reference Labs personnel at Lefferts Boulevard and Austin Street in Kew Gardens on Monday.   Credit: Jeff Bachner

Schools in "hot spot" neighborhoods in New York City where clusters of coronavirus cases have been identified will be shut down starting Tuesday, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said.

The measures come after weeks of worrisome infection numbers for COVID-19 tracked in some 20 ZIP codes, particularly in neighborhoods in Brooklyn and Queens, Orange and Rockland counties and "a little bit in Nassau," Cuomo said Monday.

The state will remain "hyper-focused" on the hot spots to prevent larger outbreaks, he said at a news briefing. The top-20 ZIP codes for spread were seeing a positivity rate of 5.5% for the virus on Sunday, according to the latest state figures. The rest of the state has a positivity rate of 1.01%, which goes up to 1.22% with those areas included.

"Better safe than sorry. I would not send my child to a school in a cluster that has not been tested," Cuomo said. "I am not going to recommend or allow any New York City family to send a child to a school that I would not send my child. We are going to close the schools in those areas tomorrow, and that’s that."

The number of new positives reported today: 56 in Nassau, 49 in Suffolk, 468 in New York City and 933 statewide.

The chart below shows the number of new cases reported in New York City and in the state during the past two weeks. Search a map of cases and view more charts showing the latest local trends in testing, hospitalizations, deaths and more.

These bars show the number of new coronavirus cases confirmed...

These bars show the number of new coronavirus cases confirmed each day.

The latest on reported cases in Long Island districts

Cuomo cautioned Monday that New York can expect to see infection levels go up as the state enters the fall season, with colder weather, schools opening and people moving indoors.

New coronavirus cases in at least seven Long Island school districts have resulted in temporary school closures in recent days, according to the districts and an online state database. As of Monday afternoon:

  • In Sachem Central School District, nine students and one staff member have tested positive across four schools since the beginning of the academic year. That includes five students at Sachem High School North in Lake Ronkonkoma, which closed Thursday and will remain closed until at least Wednesday, according to the district.
  • The Roslyn, Islip, Bayport-Blue Point and Commack school districts also have temporarily closed schools in recent days because of cases.
  • Three Village Central School District has reported cases at three schools.
  • Shoreham-Wading River High School, in Shoreham, dismissed students early on Friday after two students tested positive.
  • Three elementary schools in the Lindenhurst districtAlbany, Harding and Rall — are to begin operating remotely on Monday after two staffers tested positive.

Meanwhile, some Long Island superintendents and education groups are concerned the state's COVID-19 Report Card is subject to delays in reporting, inaccuracies and duplicate counts. Read more.

Mental health services need has grown in COVID-19's trail

Pedestrians make their way through downtown Patchogue.  

Pedestrians make their way through downtown Patchogue.   Credit: Newsday/Steve Pfost

The initial shock may have eased from the start of the pandemic, but the stress and anxiety have lingered six months later, mental health experts said.

The demand for counseling and therapy has increased as Long Islanders wait to see if schools can remain open, brace for flu season or anticipate a possible second wave. Health care providers are using a mix of telehealth and in-person visits to facilitate support groups, individual therapy and family therapy for challenges stemming from the pandemic.

"There’s this sense that everyone’s waiting for the other shoe to drop," said Dr. William Sanderson, a psychologist and director of the Anxiety & Depression Clinic at Hofstra University. "We aren’t really sure as we go into fall, are we going to be back where we were in March and April?"

Archiving LI's pandemic journey for future generations

Caren Zatyk shows images that she and other library staff...

Caren Zatyk shows images that she and other library staff members captured that tell the story of how Smithtown residents and other Long Islanders dealt with the pandemic. Credit: Newsday/John Paraskevas

A college graduate tosses her cap into the air outside St. Joseph’s College in Patchogue, celebrating alone. A Smithtown family unable to gather in person celebrates Passover Seder in separate Zoom boxes. A nurse from Valley Stream dons ski goggles for on-the-job protection.

These are images from archives of the pandemic being curated by a number of Long Island libraries and cultural institutions. Along with written and oral accounts and objects like PPE, yard signs and artwork, they form a growing record of Long Island life in an unsettled age.

Most of these projects are open-ended, assembling dozens or hundreds of digital and physical artifacts that may be used in the future for exhibits or research; some are already accessible online.

"We have never tried to collect history as it’s happening," said Caren Zatyk, head of Smithtown Library’s Long Island Room, where the collection of maps and documents extends back to the 17th century. "We want to show future generations what things were like."

More to know

Regal, the second-largest theater chain in the United States, will suspend operations at all 536 of its locations as of Thursday, including in Ronkonkoma, Farmingdale, Westbury and a newly built venue in Lynbrook.

Brookhaven Town will leave staff positions unfilled and keep recreation centers closed for at least three months next year as it deals with the pandemic's economic effects.

The Patriots-Kansas City game originally scheduled for Sunday is now planned for Monday after New England quarterback Cam Newton tested positive.

E. Vincent Luggage, which once had six stores, plans to close its sole remaining shop this month because of COVID-19's impact on travel, the owner said.

A bridge over the Southern State Parkway has been renamed to honor a Valley Stream firefighter and EMT who died of the coronavirus.

News for you

Siblings from left, Piper Facchiano, Charlie, 5, and Arianna, 7,...

Siblings from left, Piper Facchiano, Charlie, 5, and Arianna, 7, from Greenlawn walk through the corn maze at Harbes Family Farm in Jamesport. Credit: Randee Daddona

Pick your perfect fall day on the East End. Looking for an activity that's kid friendly and pet friendly? Or farm fun with a good photo op? Choose which elements you're looking for in a day out, and this interactive will give you some ideas. Try it out.

How a chocolate business adapted in a pandemic. Chocology in Stony Brook has reopened, but classes, demos and team building sessions there are on hold. Take a look.

Annual drive-through holiday light show will return. The Smith Point Light Show in Shirley will be on this year. The annual show — spearheaded by the Girl Scouts of Suffolk County — includes light displays of the Empire State Building, a candy factory, a menorah and more. Find out more.

A haunted drive-in ... this time, a car wash. Johnnie’s Car Wash on Oak is debuting the Tunnel of Terror this year. The full-service auto cleaning company in Copiague is holding a haunted car wash (and socially distanced).

Golf gives a good way to social distance. Golf's popularity is growing, given it lends itself easy social distancing, experts say. The number of rounds played at Long Island state parks has climbed in 2020 compared with a year ago. Read more.

Plus: The pandemic has presented extraordinary challenges for colleges. Join us for Newsday's next virtual event on Tuesday, when local experts will discuss its pitfalls, fears and triumphs. Save your spot here.

Sign up for text messages to get the most important coronavirus news and information.

Commentary

President Donald Trump arrives at the White House on Thursday...

President Donald Trump arrives at the White House on Thursday after a campaign event in New Jersey. Credit: Yuri Gripas/Pool/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

Impact of the virus and Trump's diagnosis. Newsday reader Frederick R. Bedell Jr., of Bellerose, writes in a letter: First of all, I would like to offer my prayers to President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump, who have tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. I pray that they get over this virus.

This just goes to show you anyone can come down with this virus. Rich or poor, and young or old. COVID-19 infections are increasing worldwide, and that is most troubling. In New York, and especially in Queens and Brooklyn, more people are testing positive. The virus is spreading to dozens of states. It seems this could be a start of a second wave and more people could be infected as winter approaches.

And yet maybe some people are getting lazy and not doing the right thing ...

Read more of this, plus other reader letters.

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