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Strong Memorial Hospital nearing 100% capacity as COVID cases surge in Finger Lakes

As coronavirus cases surge in the Finger Lakes, New York, and the rest of the U.S. hospital officials are signaling a warning message to those in the community.

They are nearing 100% capacity.

Chip Partner, of the University of Rochester Medical Center, told RochesterFirst.com on Friday that Strong Memorial Hospital is almost at 100% capacity.

“The number of cases here have definitely been rising in the past couple of weeks,” Partner said. “We are about 100% capacity right now.”


The hospital only has 32 COVID patients right now, and seven of them are in the Intensive Care Unit. Across the entire URMC system – there are 67 COVID-19 patients being cared for.

Going beyond 100% capacity is doable, according to Partner. However, it requires visitation schedules to be modified, and for other procedures and operations to be postponed.

He told RochesterFirst that despite the situation, with Strong Memorial nearing capacity – they aren’t at a point where it’s necessary to take those steps.

Medical professionals are encouraged by the fact that doctors know more about the virus, and treating it. However, that doesn’t change the necessity of caring for them.

Rochester Regional Health says it has enough beds to act as overflow coverage for COVID patients if necessary.