Peconic Landing CEO says residents who tested positive are in isolation at health center

Peconic Landing has reported that members of their retirement community have tested positive for the novel coronavirus.

In an update posted to their website Tuesday, officials there said that the New York State Department of Health notified then that several residents tested positive for COVID-19, and are in stable condition.

Southold currently has 33 confirmed cases of the coronavirus, which includes at least three employees of Peconic Landing. During a conference call with reporters Wednesday, County Executive Steve Bellone declined to say how many additional cases were related to Peconic Landing. The county executive reported that the state Department of Health has taken the lead on that investigation.

In a statement Thursday, Peconic Landing CEO Bob Syron said the residents who have tested positive are isolated in the health center where the only confirmed cases have occurred. The health center is closed to all non-medical personnel, he said.

“For the families of loved ones who have tested positive we have called them directly to inform them,” he said.

He said Peconic Landing has been communicating with its members first, the families second and then the greater community.

“We know people are concerned, as are we, specifically because of the population we serve and are trying to protect,” Mr. Syron said. “We are updating our website when we receive new information.”

He said families are receiving emails and calls with updates.

“We are doing friendly calls to our independent members daily and seeing them when we deliver dinner to them at their door in the afternoon,” he said. “Members are ordering from our in-house store and we are delivering to their door.”

No specifics on the number of residents who have tested positive were provided.

“We are focusing our energies on providing support to our members, team members and providing care to those who need it.

“We are very proud of team members (employees) here at Peconic Landing for the commitment that have shown our members during this very difficult time,” Mr. Syron said.

According to the Peconic Landing website, state health officials are providing the community with access to testing for members who are suspected to have been in close contact with confirmed residents. Precautionary quarantine measures are in place across their campus to help contain the spread.

Visitation to Peconic Landing remains suspended until further notice, according to officials.

To help their retired residents communicate with their families, staff is helping to facilitate Skype calls. For more information or to schedule a Skype call, call 631-593-8288 for health center residents and 631-593-8210 for independent living members.