Hochul: 87% of NY healthcare staff are vaccinated

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC)— 87% of all healthcare workers in New York State have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Wednesday.

The gov’s office made the announcement just two days after the mandate ordering healthcare workers to have at least one dose of the vaccine or face losing their jobs, went into effect.

Here’s a state-wide breakdown by the numbers provided:

• Nursing home staff receiving at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose: 92%.
• Adult care facilities staff receiving at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose: 89%.
• Hospital staff receiving at least one dose: 92%.

On a local scale, we know UR Medicine is at 97.5% of clinical employees and Rochester Regional Health is nearing 99%. The state’s data broke down facilities by county, which showed Monroe sits at 91%, which trails Wayne County at 92%.

Here’s the breakdown by hospitals within the Finger Lakes Region (This data is as of Tuesday)

• United Memorial Medical Center Bank Street Campus Rochester Regional Health System 94%
• United Memorial Medical Center North Street Campus Rochester Regional Health System 89%
• Nicholas H Noyes Memorial Hospital University Of Rochester Medical Center 79%
• Highland Hospital University Of Rochester Medical Center 89%
• Rochester General Hospital Rochester Regional Health System 90%
• Strong Memorial Hospital University Of Rochester Medical Center 91%
• Unity Hospital Of Rochester Rochester Regional Health System 89%
• Unity Hospital Of Rochester – St Marys Campus Rochester Regional Health System 96%
• Clifton Springs Hospital And Clinic Rochester Regional Health System 89%
• F F Thompson Hospital University Of Rochester Medical Center 88%
• Geneva General Hospital Finger Lakes Health 92%
• Medina Memorial Hospital Independent 89%
• Newark-Wayne Community Hospital Rochester Regional Health System 92%
• Wyoming County Community Hospital Independent 90%
• Soldiers And Sailors Memorial Hospital Of Yates County Inc Finger Lakes Health 88%

The mandate is expected to cause staffing issues at health care facilities across the state, including here in Rochester. However, as of Wednesday’s number release, Hochul said zero health care facilities across the state have been reported closed since the mandate went into effect.

As we’ve reported on, Strong Memorial Hospital has already issued a two-week pause on elective surgeries starting Monday in anticipation of the shortage. University of Rochester Medical Center and Rochester Regional Health has also changed hours at several area labs in anticipation.

News10NBC’s Jennifer Lewke brought you the story of a Livingston County nursing home that now has roughly 40 to 50 on unpaid leave due to the mandate.

A federal judge ordered a temporary restraining order earlier this month, allowing employees to file for religious exemptions, at least until Oct. 12.

On a state level, Hochul has directed a 24/7 operations center led by the New York State Department of Health to monitor staffing operations and trends, provide guidance to healthcare facilities. She also said if needed, she can activate medically trained members of the National Guard to fill gaps, and she plans to designate a state of emergency, which would mean healthcare workers from other states and other countries can work in New York.