DOH Will Not Reveal Location Of Suffolk Victim

Lauren Shaprow, a public information officer for Stony Brook Southampton Hospital, said she could not comment on the whereabouts of the patient in Suffolk County who tested positive for COVID-19. However she stressed no one doing business with the hospital — especially doctors and medical personnel — would release unauthorized information.

She addressed a rumor that a patient from the North Fork taken to Southampton for testing had been admitted. The info allegedly came from a health professional. She said such a scenario “wouldn’t happen.”

“That is a clear violation of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act [HIPPA]. Even if we had a name we wouldn’t release information if the patient didn’t want it released.” Shaprow said in this case, though “the Department of Health is releasing information about cases in New York.”

Congressman Lee Zeldin said that information might be released Sunday night.

rmurphy@indyeastend.com