ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Another jump in the Rochester region's number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients means the Finger Lakes continues to lead the state in hospitalizations overall.

The health department is reporting there are 725 people in hospital beds with 141 of them in the ICU. That leaves 25% of the beds in the region's hospitals available, with 41% of the ICU beds open.

Leaders across the state are closely watching those numbers as the vaccine begins its rollout in the area. 

The first vaccinations were administered on Monday at the University of Rochester Medical Center. On Wednesday, more UR Medicine staff members are set to receive the Pfizer vaccine. URMC says it will hold clinics where it will vaccinate 200 workers at a time.

The hospital released footage of the vaccine arriving Monday. Robert Fitzpatrick, who works in the emergency department of Strong Memorial Hospital, said he decided to be one of the first to get vaccinated in order to show his family and friends there's nothing to be afraid of.

"It's not the big monster that is just going to take everyone down and everyone's going to get sick. No, it's a vaccine. It's here to help and that's another reason why I jumped out in front so I can let them know. They say if I got it then they may be encouraged. If Robert got it, it's gotta be okay," said Fitzpatrick.

Rochester Regional Health received its first doses of the vaccine on Tuesday. The health system is scheduled to distribute vaccinations at three of its facilities: Rochester General Hospital, Unity Health, and Newark Wayne Community Hospital.

URMC says in a recent survey, 60% of more than 10,000 employees said they would take the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible.