Before sharks were spotted off the coast of Rockaway Beach on Sunday and on Thursday, as well as at Hewlett Point Park beach on Sunday, there had been no reported shark sightings off Long Island so far this summer.

A shark was spotted in the waters at Hewlett Point Beach on Long Island, shutting down the waters to swimmers for at least an hour.“A shark sighting has been reported at Hewlett Point Beach, and the beach is currently red-flagged for the next hour,

Swimming was temporarily suspended Monday afternoon at Lido Beach in Hempstead after a confirmed shark sighting. Hempstead officials said lifeguards confirmed a sighting of a shark roughly seven-feet in length swimming 25 feet from the shore off Town Park.

The Army awards a $251 million contract to Sikorsky to build helicopters. Also, the sudden death of a Hempstead Town councilman.

Some social media users were alarmed by the shark sighting, with one saying "this my biggest fear," while others were unmoved.

Just days after two Long Island beaches were closed due to bacteria levels found in the water, another beach was ordered to close as well.

A rise in shark sightings very close to shore on beaches up and down the East Coast is forcing more closures just as we reach the peak of the busy summer vacation season. NBC’s Emilie Ikeda reports for TODAY.