ROCHESTER, N.Y. — As the state prepares for the omicron variant, Gov. Kathy Hochul is talking about the changes being made and the help that is coming to health care systems.
Hospital capacity is at the top of the list of concerns.
The governor says the executive order will target areas with the least available bed capacity and it's not looking good for the Finger Lakes region right now.
"Finger Lakes, 9%. Western New York, overall 11%. North Country, lower than Capital Region," said Hochul. "These are the areas that were targeted. The ones that you see in red right there."
Both Rochester Regional Health and URMC health systems are considered at or below 10% available bed capacity. That means that come Friday, Hochul's executive order will take effect in Rochester.
Procedures will be limited to essential only, but Hochul says procedures like cancer treatments, colonoscopies, mammograms and treatment of traumatic injuries will continue.
She says the state is working to increase National Guard staff so they can help with staffing shortages. And nursing homes are being prioritized by providing tests and booster shots for every resident.
The governor will reassess whether elective procedures can continue at local hospitals on January 15.