Albany, N.Y - Governor Kathy Hochul giving a COVID briefing today saying there's another requirement for healthcare workers.
Hochul said she is mandating that all Healthcare workers must get the booster shot, unless they have a medical exception. She said everyone would want to make sure that those who are taking care of them are fully protected.
She also said New York will require visitors to nursing homes to wear at least surgical-grade masks and have had a negative Covid test within 24 hours prior to visit. She said the state will provide test kits to nursing homes but she encouraged people to get a test before they visit.
Hochul also pleaded with the public to not go to an emergency room to get a COVID test as it is overloading many ERs. She said "Do you realize what it is doing to our health-care system?"
The Governor said the state is seeing a spike in pediatric COVID cases. Hochul said, “We’ve seen a rise during this Christmas surge.” Dr. Mary Bassett said they are concerned as the rate among children is going faster than for adults. and a vast majority of children with COVID haven’t been vaccinated.
Hochul said there were 155 deaths from COVID yesterday, highest since vaccines became widely available. She also pointed out that statewide, 42% of COVID patients have been admitted to hospital for non-COVID reasons, in other words they go to the hospital for one reason and then test positive.