Gov. Hochul speaks about uptick in infectious diseases while Zeldin speaks about rising crime

ALBANY, N.Y. — Following Tuesday night’s debate, the candidates in the governor’s race are back to campaigning.

Gov. Kathy Hochul briefed reporters on what she called the trifecta of infectious diseases going on right now, COVID-19, the flu, and RSV which has impacted children.

“I want you to know our Department of Health is laser-focused on all the dynamics involved,” Hochul said. “Do they have enough nurses available? Do they have enough hospital beds? do they have enough ventilators?”

Monroe County Public Health Commissioner Dr. Michael Mendoza spoke on Tuesday about the rise in respiratory diseases locally. Leaders at the U of R Medical Center and Rochester Regional Health said their hospitals are all over capacity, in part because there aren’t enough nursing homes beds to discharge patients from hospitals.

Hochul said 25% of non-ICU pediatric beds are available in the state.

While Hochul spoke on Wednesday, Congressman Zeldin arrived at a gas station in Queens that has been robbed several times over the last few weeks.

His campaign said he was joined by local Indian-Americans who have been affected by crime in New York State. We have not recieved video from the event yet.