COVID-19 hospitalizations in Western New York are the highest in the state, exceeding those in New York City. According to state numbers from Friday, 473 were hospitalized in this region with 463 in New York City.

Numbers in Chautauqua County, according to its weekly dashboard, noted 50 hospitalizations tied to the virus as local officials noted another COVID surge on the eve of the Thanksgiving holiday. “I’m saddened and frustrated to see so many people struggling to breathe, hospitalized, going on ventilators, and many survivors left dealing with long-term health impacts,” said Christine Schuyler, county public health director. “If you are not vaccinated, you are really taking a chance.”

Late Friday afternoon, state Gov. Kathy Hochul announced urgent action to boost hospital capacity and address staffing shortages ahead of potential spikes in COVID-19 cases this upcoming winter. Through an Executive Order signed by Hochul, the Department of Health will be allowed to limit non-essential, non-urgent procedures for in-hospitals or systems with limited capacity to protect access to critical health care services.

Limited capacity is defined as below 10% staffed bed capacity, or as determined by the Department of Health based on regional and health care utilization factors.

The new protocols will begin Friday and be re-assessed based on the latest COVID-19 data on Jan. 15. The Executive Order will also enable New York state to acquire more quickly any critical supplies to combat the pandemic.

“We’ve taken extraordinary action to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and combat this pandemic. However, we continue to see warning signs of spikes this upcoming winter, and while the new Omicron variant has yet to be detected in New York state, it’s coming,” Hochul said. “In preparation, I am announcing urgent steps … to expand hospital capacity and help ensure our hospital systems can tackle any challenges posed by the pandemic as we head into the winter months. The vaccine remains one of our greatest weapons in fighting the pandemic, and I encourage every New Yorker to get vaccinated, and get the booster if you’re fully vaccinated.”

The Hochul administration continues to take comprehensive steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19, including mask protocols in health care and P-12 school settings, correctional facilities and detentions centers, public transportation and at transportation hubs, and implementation of the HERO Act which requires all employers to implement workplace safety plans in response to COVID-19.