Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone, who is fully vaccinated, tested positive for COVID-19 Wednesday and is experiencing mild symptoms, his office said.
Bellone, a Democrat from West Babylon in his third term, will quarantine at home for the next seven days, said spokesman Derek Poppe. No one else on his staff or in his household has tested positive.
“Today I tested positive for COVID-19, and will be following the recommended CDC protocols for fully vaccinated individuals,” Bellone said in a statement. “I am experiencing mild symptoms at this point but otherwise feel in good health and spirits.”
Bellone will continue to work while in quarantine, officials said.
“Even though the county executive is in isolation, he is still working round-the-clock,” Poppe said. “There will be no interruption of services.”
New York State data shows that just under 1% of all fully vaccinated individuals 12 and older have experienced a breakthrough infection.
It is not clear where Bellone contracted the virus, Poppe said.
“I hope this serves as a reminder to all residents that while we are making incredible progress in the war against COVID-19, we are not done just yet,” Bellone said. “To that end, I encourage anyone who is eligible to receive their booster shot to do so.”
