COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations continue to climb in Monroe County, with health officials providing an update Thursday of 471 new cases.

The number of people in the hospital is up to 336, nearly a third of which are in intensive care.

In an effort to prevent the spread, Monroe County Executive Adam Bello announced free rapid test sites in the days leading up to Thanksgiving.

In Rochester, a site at the former Walgreens on North Goodman runs Monday through Wednesday. There will also be testing at the former Stein Mart in Pittsford Plaza Monday and Wednesday, and the former Bed, Bath & Beyond at the Mall at Greece Ridge on Tuesday.

Monroe County Health Commissioner Dr. Michael Mendoza is still urging people to get vaccinated and get the booster if eligible.

“We take medications to keep our blood pressure in check and to keep our blood sugar level under control and have relied on vaccinations to keep us from getting hepatitis, meningitis, pneumonia and a whole host of illnesses that would otherwise land many in the hospital,” he said. “Getting a COVID vaccine, especially now, that it has been given to billions of people worldwide, is really no different.”

You can make an appointment on the county’s website.