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Coronavirus
COVID-19 state of emergency ends in New York State: Others for healthcare staffing, monkeypox remain active
New York State's COVID state of emergency has expired. Governor Kathy Hochul allowed the state of emergency lapse on Monday, as cases of COVID-19 remain relatively low compared to peak pandemic heights. Hochul said earlier ... more
COVID-19 BA.5 variant growing concern: How quickly is it spreading in New York?
Experts say another round of COVID-19 booster shots may be needed if the BA.5 variant continues to move. Coronavirus infections are low and mask restrictions are few-and-far between. Hospitalizations have also been declining for the ... more
CDC gives final approval for COVID-19 vaccines in children under 5
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is recommending COVID-19 vaccines for children and toddlers. The final group without available COVID-19 shots now has one, as infants and those under 5 years of age are ... more
Tompkins County drops mask advisory: Community spread not as bad now
The Tompkins County Health Department has suspended its COVID-19 mask advisory. Tompkins is now listed at 'medium' community spread level, which is a decline from its categorization in April. At that point, Omicron was causing ... more
Cayuga legislature chair says he’s glad mask mandate has been lifted
Officials in Cayuga County say they will join others lifting the mask mandate that's been in place since mid-December. On Wednesday, Governor Kathy Hochul announced that the mask mandate would come to an end on ... more
Republicans blast Hochul administration for continuing COVID-19 regs as other states roll them back
During Tuesday's Joint Legislative Budget Hearing and in a letter to Gov. Hochul, Assembly Republicans blasted the administration for continuing to force mask mandates onto New Yorkers as COVID rates retreat and neighboring states roll ... more
Parents, administrators, and state leaders split on in-school masking: Late-February eyed as time for mandate to end
There has been a lot of focus on the state's mask mandate for indoor public spaces. Most of that attention has been on businesses and schools. While one of those is expected to see the ... more
Update to New York mask mandate coming Wednesday, but expected to remain in schools
Governor Kathy Hochul says an update to the proof-of-vaccination or mask mandate is coming to New York on Wednesday. Exact details have not yet been leaked, but according to statements made last week, as well ... more
Hochul says New Yorkers are doing the right thing: COVID positivity rate declines further
The COVID-19 positivity rate continued to decline on Sunday, as Governor Kathy Hochul gave a status update on the state's battle against the Omicron variant. “New Yorkers are doing the right thing – getting vaccinated ... more
Appellate Judge Robert Miller issues stay on New York mask mandate: Face coverings still required indoors
New York still has a mask mandate. Appellate Court Judge Robert Miller issued a stay of a lower court ruling, which struck down the state's mask mandate. In short, it means the Governor Kathy Hochul's ... more
Supreme Court: Hochul did not have authority to enact mask mandate in businesses or schools
A New York State Supreme Court Judge in Nassau County says Governor Kathy Hochul did not have the authority to enact a statewide mask mandate. The judge ruled the mask mandate unconstitutional. The mandate was ... more
COVID-19 cases still high in the Finger Lakes, even as hospitalizations fall across New York
On Sunday, Governor Kathy Hochul doubled-down on New Yorkers efforts to beat back the coronavirus pandemic. As cases continue to decline following Omicron's holiday surge, Hochul said it's no time to slow down efforts to ... more
Schumer in Rochester Friday to tell hospitals he’ll push for more staffing help
Senator Chuck Schumer was in Rochester Friday, telling officials at the University of Rochester Medical Center he'll push for more staffing help for hospitals. WXXI reports Schumer told them the federal government should allow federal ... more
Cayuga County Health Department leaves contact tracing up to school districts now
The Cayuga County Health Department says it will no longer handle contact tracing for COVID-19 cases in schools. The Citizen reports the move came about after a meeting between county health officials and school Superintendents ... more
Statewide COVID-19 positive test percentage drops below 10% for first time since December 10
In her daily COVID-19 briefing Friday, Governor Kathy Hochul said the positive test percentage in the state has fallen below 10% for the first time since December 10. The rolling seven day average positivity in ... more
New York study finds COVID-19 vaccines, prior infection reduce chances of serious illness or hospitalization
State and federal health officials released a study this week, taking a closer look at the coronavirus pandemic. Specifically, who has been hardest hit by COVID-19? The short answer is not surprising: Those who were ... more
COVID-19 at home tests: How to claim four free test kits per month? Why are renters struggling?
Americans can obtain several free COVID-19 at home tests if they fill out a simple form with the United States Postal Service. The website went live on Tuesday, COVIDTests.gov, and allows people to sign-up to ... more
Ontario County joins others pushing back against COVID-19 booster shot mandate for healthcare workers
Ontario County has joined nearly a dozen other counties across New York requesting Governor Kathy Hochul reconsider the newly-minted COVID-19 booster shot mandate for healthcare workers. They say, along with existing mandate-driven healthcare worker shortages, ... more
COVID-19: Omicron variant appears less severe overall
The Coronavirus variant, Omicron, is reportedly a less severe strain of COVID-19 for everyone, including the unvaccinated. A new study found that Omicron has less severe COVID-19 symptoms for the unvaccinated. The study was done ... more
