Coronavirus Update: Nassau Officials Warn Of Phone Scams Targeting Anxious Residents
MINEOLA, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) — Coronavirus cases on Long Island now top 500, including Nassau County's first police officer who tested positive.
In the midst of this crisis, there's a warning from law enforcement that scammers are still busy at work, making life even harder for seniors.
"It's hard to believe that just two months ago, we heard the first reports of a mysterious respiratory illness in Wuhan, China," said Nassau County Executive Laura Curran.
The dramatic change in life since then is evidenced in the physical distance now between officials at news briefings.
Nassau County has released for the first time a map showing its COVID-19 cases by community. It will be updated daily on its website.
As a third Nassau resident, a 76-year-old woman, has died, Long Island malls are closed and deserted, and local downtowns are the scene of just grab-and-go quick food shopping.
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In the midst of all of this, there's news that scams are up.
"Something troubling is percolating right now," she said. "Our police department is investigating a nationwide trend of reports of coronavirus scam phone calls that are coming to our Nassau County residents now."
"A 49% increase on all phone scams year to date. That's a big number. There are a bunch of low life people out there that sit and wait and prey in times of crisis," Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder said.
Officials say warn seniors who are holed up for their physical safety that they need to also protect their financial health.
"We're concerned that people are anxious. If we're telling people to isolate, if our older folks are isolating – they're alone, they're watching the news constantly, and they're becoming very anxious and perhaps becoming more vulnerable," she said. "It's unfortunate that there are people out there who will seize this crisis and rub their hands and see this as a great opportunity to make a buck."
No one legitimate will call asking for personal information.
Curran said in one instance, a man received a call from someone claiming to work for a coronavirus hotline. The person on the other end asked for the man's personal Medicare information. In another incident, a woman received a call from someone claiming to work for her bank, saying it was closing because of the outbreak and needed her information.
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As people adjust to a new reality, many say they are not seeing enough evidence of social distancing.
"We're still seeing people coming in with non-essential type exams. Maybe they've had pain for a year or two or more and they're gonna get an MRI," an MRI tech told CBS2's Carolyn Gusoff.
"This is absolutely a life-saving measure right now to stay alone. On a nice day, it's OK to take a walk, but it's not a good idea for kids to be congregating and having play dates, even outside," said Nassau County Health Commissioner Dr. Lawrence Eisenstein.
The Suffolk County executive, meanwhile, says they're planning for a possible surge in cases in four to five weeks and his staff is prepping for possible makeshift hospital facilities outside jails and at community colleges.