Beaches are expected to reopen early Monday, where crowds are expected for the Fourth of July holiday.  
“Our expectation is that tomorrow morning, July 4, the beach will be open again,” Bellone said Sunday during a news conference at Smith Point.  
Lifeguard Zach Gallo was participating in a training exercise at Smith Point Beach in Shirley at about 10:15 a.m.  on Sunday when the 4- to 5-foot shark bit him in the chest, Suffolk County Sheriff Steve Bellone said.  
Gallo, a 10-year veteran lifeguard, was playing the victim in the lifeguard drill when he was attacked by the shark, Bellone said.  The shark also bit Gallo’s right arm as he tried to fend it off.  Gallo made it to shore, with the help of other lifeguards who were also participating in the training, Bellone said. 
The lifeguard was taken to South Shore University Hospital for stitches and treatment.  
“Thankfully, he’s doing well,” Bellone said.  
Shark attacks off the coast of Long Island are rare, officials said.  A shark was spotted near Smith Point Beach shortly after the attack, Bellone said, although it was unclear if it was the shark that attacked the lifeguard.  
The beaches will be closed to swimming for the rest of Sunday and will reopen at 10 a.m. Monday, and Bellone said those looking to celebrate the Fourth of July holiday at the beaches shouldn’t worry too much about Sunday’s attack.  Suffolk lifeguards will use jet skis, paddle boards and drones to patrol for sharks, in addition to watching from shore. 
“People should feel very comfortable and feel very safe coming out to our beaches,” Bellone said.  
On Thursday, a 37-year-old man was swimming off Jones Beach at 1 p.m. when he was bitten on the right leg, possibly by a Nassau shark, police said Friday.  Medics from the police department’s Bureau of Emergency Ambulance responded and identified the injury as a possible shark bite, authorities said. 
The man, who was not identified, was taken to Nassau University Medical Center in East Meadow, where he was treated for his injuries, according to Nassau County Sheriff Bruce Blakeman.  An update Sunday on his condition was not immediately available. 
Michael O’Keeffe covers the Suffolk County Police and other Long Island law enforcement agencies.  He is an award-winning journalist and co-author of two books, ‘The Card’ and ‘American Icon’.