Wedding At Country Club Sparks Positive Coronavirus Tests: County

CUTCHOGUE, NY — The North Fork Country Club closed for 14 days after at least two people tested positive for the coronavirus following a wedding at the facility, according to Suffolk County officials.

Management at the club confirmed to Patch Saturday that the country club closed on Thursday for 14 days.

"We reached out to Department of Health and we are working with them to provide all information needed," the business said in a statement. "In respect of our employees and in compliance with HIPPA we are not able to disclose the health status of our employees."

According to a representative for Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone, the event was a wedding.

No details have been provided yet regarding how many were present at the wedding or if the number in attendance violated the state's coronavirus protocols; so far, no enforcement action has been taken but an investigation is underway, officials said.

The Suffolk County Department of Health Services is aware of more than one person who attended the event, then tested positive for the coronavirus; those individuals are currently under home isolation, Bellone's media representative said.

"This is an ongoing investigation. Any persons who attended the event are encouraged to self-quarantine at home at this time and seek testing for any symptoms," county officials said. "We do not have any more information about the event to share at this time."

Bellone's office shared information about isolation and quarantine protocols, which can be found on the Suffolk County website.

Suffolk County health officials "strongly" urged catering halls and persons wishing to hold an event to follow New York State guidance for food services during the pandemic, county officials said.

According to a post in the Suffolk Times, the event has led to impacts throughout the community, with Love Lane Kitchen closing Thursday because two employees had attended the wedding; all employees will be tested and operations may limited to maintain customer safety and adequate staffing, the report said. The owner of Love Lane Kitchen did not immediately return a request for comment.

Southold Town Supervisor Scott Russell said he didn't have any details about the incident yet and said the investigation was being handled by the Suffolk County Department of Health.

"We were not involved in this event or aftermath," Southold Town Police Chief Martin Flatley said.

In September, Giorgio's Baiting Hollow, a popular Long Island wedding venue, had its liquor license suspended after the New York State's task force reported that 95 people, more than twice the legal limit, attended a reception, according to Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

That news led to an outcry from lawmakers and business owners who said they believe livelihoods are on the line and catering facilities should be allowed to open at 50 percent capacity.

Earlier in October, a Sweet 16 at a Miller Place catering hall led to 37 coronavirus cases and a total of 81 guests quarantined — the event also led to closure of a local high school; that event is now considered Suffolk County's first "super spreader" event, Bellone said.