ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Discussions are underway throughout New York state about re-issuing a public mask mandate due to the rising number of COVID cases.

Erie County re-implemented a masking mandate while inside all public indoor facilities on Monday. But what does that mean for Monroe County?

“Certainly nothing is ever off the table," County Executive Adam Bello said on mandates possibly being put in place in Monroe County.

Heading into Thanksgiving, Bello said the county is keeping a close eye on the numbers, specifically the seven-day average COVID positivity rate.

“We're going to keep looking at what our seven-day positivity average looks like,” Bello said. “And if it starts to go up too high, or we start to trip something, we're going to have to look at what those mandates look like.”

Bello joined Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin for his first visit to Rochester since taking the position, as he handed out turkeys in downtown Rochester.

“We believe all options should be on the table,” Benjamin said. “The county exec knows that. He's focusing very extensively on testing, particularly as we're coming into Thanksgiving in the holiday season.”

The hope for Monroe County and other areas is that an increase in testing and COVID vaccinations will prevent further mandates.

“Of course we are [looking at the possibility of a mask mandate or closures]," Bello said. "We always are, but yes of course we are.”

Benjamin says those decisions are made on a regional basis throughout the state.

“We're working regionally,” he said. “The department of health is in consultation with the county exec and other county execs, making sure that we don't have shortages with hospital beds, etc. And then we have a regional plan in case things get more complicated."  

Benjamin also says a potential shutdown would be a last resort.

“And we also don't want to overreact or underreact, right?” he said. “Because at the other side of this is we can just shut the economy down. But if we do that, that has other significant implications. And it has an impact on morale. And so what we're trying to do is look at each county. It's not a one size fits all approach. Every option is on the table but work with each county to try to make sure we're doing the safest decisions for those who live in the area, and at the same time wanting to not close or shut down the economy if we don't have to. If we have to, we have to.”

Also in Rochester was congressman and Republican candidate for governor Lee Zeldin.

“People are fed up,” Zeldin said. “I don't believe that the way that we should be going in this state is not only starting to lock everything down again, but going even further than we went in the past.”

“We have recommendations for everyone to follow for Thanksgiving,” Bello said. “Please if you're in a public setting, please wear a mask. Please get vaccinated [and] get your booster shot. Please seek out a test and if you're not feeling well stay home.”

As for hospital rates in the area, the University of Rochester Medical Center says Strong Memorial is almost at capacity due to COVID and elective surgeries.

URMC spokesperson Bruce Partner says the hospital system plans to share its frustrations with Bello, specifically on the rise in cases and patients, ahead of his weekly meeting with other county executives Wednesday.

Partner says 80% of patients in intensive care are unvaccinated.

As for Tuesday's numbers, the county reported a slight decrease at just over 300 new cases.

Hospitalizations are up to 372, with 87 people in an ICU across the Finger Lakes region.