WXXI AM News

Coronavirus News

We've compiled all the latest stories about the coronavirus pandemic here so you can find them easily.

We've also compiled a list of informational resources that can guide you to more coronavirus information.

Ways to Connect

Monroe County COVID-19 for Wednesday: 315 new cases

By • 4 hours ago
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

The latest numbers on COVID-19 for Monroe County show another 315 cases as of Wednesday. 

There were 2 new deaths, and the total is 317 deaths to date.

The 7-day rolling average of new cases is 333 new cases per day.

319 people are hospitalized in the Finger Lakes region and 61 of them are in the ICU.

The COVID-19 infection rate for the state-designated orange zone in Monroe County  has a 7-day rolling average of 4.72%.

The rolling average for the yellow zone in the county is 3.72%.

Some area hospitals getting overwhelmed by COVID-19 cases

By • 5 hours ago
archives

Nearly 320 people with COVID-19 are currently hospitalized and around 60 are in intensive care units in the Finger Lakes region.

Some hospitals are getting overwhelmed, and that’s affecting patients without the disease as well.

Dr. Ryan Hoefen is a cardiologist at Rochester Regional Health. This week, he’s been making rounds on patients in the ICU at Unity Hospital. He said that Rochester General Hospital and Unity are nearing capacity, and some patients are on beds in hallways at Unity.

Connections: How to help children understand their emotions during the pandemic

By & • 6 hours ago

The holidays will look different this year for many families. How are children handling that and all of the changes that have come with the pandemic? What can caregivers and educators do to recognize when kids may be struggling?

We talk with the experts about how to help children understand their emotions during this difficult time. Our guests:

  • JoAnne Pedro-Carroll, Ph.D., clinical psychologist, author, and speaker
  • Melanie Funchess, director of community engagement and family support at the Mental Health Association of Rochester, and member of the Black Healers Network
  • Brian Wray, award-winning children's book author

Connections: Are food delivery apps hurting restaurants?

By & • 6 hours ago

Are food delivery apps hurting restaurants? Monroe County Legislator Rachel Barnhart has announced legislation that would cap how much third-party vendors, like Grubhub and Uber Eats and DoorDash, can charge businesses. Under the measure, delivery fees would be limited to 15 percent, and fees associated with customers using their apps for takeout services would be limited to 5 percent. The companies would also be prohibited from garnishing driver’s wages to make up any difference in profit.

This is a desperate time for restaurant owners, who say this move will make an impact. Food delivery companies oppose it.

Our guests:

In Rochester, Cuomo shares COVID-19 worries; protesters express frustration over restrictions

By & • 7 hours ago
Office of Gov. Andrew Cuomo

Gov. Andrew Cuomo was in Rochester on Wednesday to give his COVID-19 briefing from the Baber A.M.E Church on Meigs Street -- and give away some turkeys afterward.

His visit was met by protesters who are frustrated with the state’s microcluster restrictions.

During his remarks, Cuomo again expressed concerns about the rising number of coronavirus cases statewide and across the country, and he said the state does expect to see an increase in infection rates after Thanksgiving, especially with so many people traveling or gathering in large groups.

Monroe County COVID-19: 340 new cases as of Tuesday

By • Nov 24, 2020
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Monroe County continues to see elevated levels of new COVID-19 cases.

In the latest daily numbers released on Tuesday, there were 340 new confirmed cases. There were no new deaths. The total number of deaths to date is 315.

The 7-day rolling average of new cases is 320 cases per day. The 7-day rolling average positivity rate for Monroe County is 3.55%.

Connections: Understanding the Orange Zone restrictions for parts of Monroe County

By & • Nov 24, 2020

On Monday, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that parts of Monroe County have reached Orange Zone status. The designation comes with restrictions that go into effect on Wednesday. Businesses deemed high-risk and non-essential -- such as personal care salons, barber shops, and gyms -- must close. Restaurants will be limited to outdoor dining, delivery, and takeout. Schools will close to in-person instruction until they meet testing requirements.

This hour, our guests help us understand the new restrictions and the impact they will have on communities. Our guests:

  • Bob Duffy, Finger Lakes reopening advisor to Governor Cuomo, and president and CEO of the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce
  • Dave Seeley, Irondequoit Town Supervisor
  • Bill Moehle, Brighton Town Supervisor
  • Willie Lightfoot, president of the United Professional Barbers and Cosmetologists Association (UPBCA), Inc., and vice president of Rochester City Council

Orange zone communities look to rapid testing to limit shutdowns

By Beth Adams • Nov 24, 2020
Max Schulte/WXXI News

The supervisors of the towns of Brighton and Irondequoit say they hope to have drive-through sites set up for rapid coronavirus testing as soon as next week.

Sections of both towns are in so-called orange zones under the state's microcluster strategy to manage rising transmission rates of the virus. Other orange zones are in the city of Rochester and the town of Gates.

Irondequoit Supervisor Dave Seeley said rapid testing has worked to keep schools safe, and it should be expanded so every member of the community has access.

Poll: Some New Yorkers still unsure who won the election

By • Nov 24, 2020

A new poll finds the presidential election is not settled yet for some New Yorkers. Three weeks after Election Day, 20% of respondents say it’s too early to tell who actually won.

City of Rochester makes some changes due to orange zone designation

By • Nov 23, 2020
cityofrochester.gov

Mayor Lovely Warren has announced some changes to city operations as a result of Monday’s directive from the state that portions of the city will be upgraded to a COVID-19 Orange Zone, effective Wednesday, Nov. 25.

R-Center Learning Labs will close on Wednesday, Nov. 25 and nine R-Centers will convert to Meal Distribution Sites beginning Monday, Nov. 30, serving grab-and-go meals. Meals will include breakfast, lunch and dinner and are available for single trips.

The following Meal Distribution Sites will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday:

Pages