New COVID cases skyrocket in Monroe County. The latest
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Monroe County reported 584 new COVID-19 cases Friday, the first time it had been below 600 this month.
The number of people hospitalized due to COVID-19 also rose to 482. Of those, 105 are in the ICU. Both totals represent the highest volume of patients in the Finger Lakes region since early February.
This ongoing surge in COVID-19 cases locally prompted County Executive Adam Bello to declare a state of emergency that went into effect at 12:01 am Wednesday.
Officials from Rochester Regional Health and the University of Rochester Medical Center — the region's two major healthcare providers — have both expressed concern about the volume of COVID-19 cases filling area hospitals and the effect that is having on their ability to perform elective procedures and surgeries.
Dr. Michael Apostolakos, Chief Medical Officer for Strong Memorial and Highland Hospitals said Wednesday that the majority of the COVID-19 patients requiring hospitalization were unvaccinated.
"A significant number of people are refusing the vaccines, and our community is paying the price," Apostolakos said. "Cases are continuing to rise with no end in sight. We don't want COVID to impact our ability to care for non-COVID illnesses."
Amerks games postponed due to COVID
The Rochester Americans are one of five teams in the American Hockey League that announced they would postpone upcoming games in accordance with COVID-19 protocols.
Amerks' home games Wednesday against Syracuse and Friday against Springfield are postponed. No makeup dates have been announced for either game.
The team announced via social media earlier in the day that head coach Seth Appert would be unavailable "in accordance with COVID-19 protocols."
COVID-19 exposure at sports banquet in Brockport NY
Attendees of a sports banquet held Saturday in Brockport may have been exposed to COVID-19, according to the Monroe County Department of Public Health.
Officials issued an alert Wednesday to inform individuals who attended the Hamlin Hornets Banquet on Saturday, Nov. 27 that they may have been exposed to COVID-19. The event was held at the Brockport Elks Lodge, 4400 Sweden-Walker Road in Brockport,
"Several of the approximately 200 individuals in attendance Saturday between 6 p.m. and midnight have tested positive for COVID-19, and others may have come into close contact to these individuals," the health department said.
Attendees experiencing COVID-like symptoms, regardless of vaccination status, and all unvaccinated attendees should immediately self-quarantine and contact MCDPH at (585)753-5555.
Monroe County COVID-19 vaccine data
Some 66% of people living in Monroe County are fully vaccinated as of Nov. 30, according to data from New York Department of Health.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention considers someone fully vaccinated two weeks after they've been given a single-dose shot (Johnson & Johnson) or a second shot (either Pfizer or Moderna).
New York reported 2,729,595 total cases of coronavirus, an increase of 2% from the week before.
The five counties with the highest percentage of their population fully vaccinated in New York as of Nov. 30 are Hamilton County (77%), New York County (76%), Queens County (75%), Nassau County (73%) and Saratoga County (73%).
Here are the latest numbers on COVID-19 vaccinations in Monroe County as of Nov. 30:
How many people in Monroe County have received a COVID-19 vaccine?
72% of people in Monroe County have received at least one dose of the vaccine, for a total of 533,140 people
66% of people in Monroe County are fully vaccinated, for a total of 491,663 people
For a county-by-county look at the vaccination rollout, see our COVID-19 vaccine tracker, which is updated daily.
How many people in New York have been vaccinated so far?
78% of people in New York have received at least one dose of the vaccine, for a total of 15,220,070 people
68% of people in New York are fully vaccinated, for a total of 13,324,752 people
COVID vaccinations for kids and boosters
The percentages in this story reflect the total share of the population that has received vaccines. That now includes people as young as 5 years old, for whom vaccines have been authorized.
These weekly stories will be updated as more data on vaccination rates in children, as well as booster vaccination rates, are released.
Includes reporting by Diane Pantaleo, USA TODAY NETWORK
We pull data on local vaccine distribution on a weekly basis. Check back for our next weekly update mid-week for the latest numbers.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: New COVID cases skyrocket in Monroe County NY. The latest
