Coronavirus

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP)  New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said Saturday she is prepared to call in medically trained National Guard members and retirees to address potential staffing shortages caused by an approaching vaccine mandate for health care workers.

A federal judge has paused New York’s decision to prohibit religious exemptions to the COVID-19 vaccine for health care workers, who the state has required to get their first dose of the shot by late September or potentially lose their job.

That decision won’t go into effect until that requirement begins on Sept. 27, giving the state time to make its case to the court for barring those exemptions.

Monroe County reported another 128 cases of COVID-19 on Monday. There were 1,129 new cases reported since Tue., Sept. 7.

The seven-day rolling average of new cases is 161 per day, with the seven-day rolling average positivity rate at 4.1%.

There were no new deaths.

There are currently 190 people hospitalized for COVID-19 in the Finger Lakes region, with 61 in the ICU. That’s the first time the region has topped 60 patients in the ICU since the end of February.

Rep.  Joe Morelle, (D-25), has tested positive for COVID-19.

“After experiencing mild symptoms, I have tested positive for COVID-19. I have followed all guidance from the Center for Disease Control and my physician and will remain isolated until it is safe to resume my official duties. Thankfully, I am fully vaccinated so my symptoms remain mild,” Morelle said in a statement.

Monroe County on Friday reported another 201 cases of COVID-19.  The seven-day average of new cases is 167.

The seven-day average positivity rate is at 4.1%.

In the Finger Lakes region, 183 people were hospitalized with COVID-19, with 53 people in the ICU.

Monroe County Executive Adam Bello and Commissioner of Public Health Dr. Michael Mendoza issued a joint statement, asking county residents to keep health and safety in mind as they celebrate for the long holiday weekend.

Monroe County reported 221 new cases of COVID-19 on Friday.

That prompted a statement released by Monroe County Executive Adam Bello and Commissioner of Public Health Dr. Michael Mendoza:

"As we report more than 200 new cases today, we are becoming increasingly concerned about the spread of COVID-19 in Monroe County. We are heading in the wrong direction and, as we prepare to begin the new school year, we urge you to continue taking the precautions we know will help prevent infection. This is how we will keep our schools fully open and our families safe."

One of Rochester’s largest employers will be requiring vaccinations against COVID-19.

The announcement from the University of Rochester on Thursday says  that effective September 27, all faculty and staff will have to be vaccinated.

Almost nine months after its initial emergency use rollout, Pfizer and BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine has been granted full approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for people ages 16 and older.  

On Monday the FDA said the public can rest assured that the Pfizer vaccine meets its high standards for safety, efficacy, and manufacturing quality. Pfizer is the first mRNA vaccine to be given this distinction since granted emergency use authorization on December 11, 2020.

Both UR Medicine and Rochester Regional Health are announcing changes in hospital visitation policies due to the recent rise in COVID-19 cases locally.

At Strong Memorial and Highland hospitals, beginning Wednesday, there will be no visitation for adult patients positive for COVID-19. Non-COVID patients may have a total of two designated visitors, but only one visitor per day.

Exceptions apply and there are different guidelines for pediatric patients at Golisano Children’s Hospital.

What a difference a year makes.

Monroe County officials said on Thursday that last year at this time, there were 29 new cases of COVID-19 in the county.

As of Thursday, there were 197 new cases, as the delta variant continues to spread.

County Executive Adam Bello and Health Commissioner Dr. Michael Mendoza, along with officials from UR Medicine and Rochester Regional Health, provided an update on the pandemic at a virtual news conference on Thursday.