Gov. Hochul Announces NY COVID-19 Surge Plan To Fight Illness, Death

New York Governor Kathy Hochul has announced a COVID-19 winter surge plan 2.0. The five-point plan is designed to fight an increase in the spread of COVID-19 and deaths. The plan focuses on,

- Keeping kids in school
- Strengthening masks and testing
- preventing severe COVID-19 cases and deaths
- Providing New Yorkers with more access to vaccines and boosters
- Coordinating with local leaders

Acting State Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett said,

“We have every tool to keep our families and communities safe. We must ensure we use them all. Governor Hochul’s targeted plan to expand vaccination and booster access, mask and test, and increase measures to protect our health care workers is the comprehensive strategy needed to combat the fast-spreading Omicron variant. Leveraging these layered mitigation tactics is how we will protect the health of New Yorkers and effectively manage the winter surge.”

A big part of Governor Hocul's plan is testing. The goal is to have students test to stay in school, if they are exposed to COVID-19, rather than automatically quarantining. New York State will also increase its distribution of masks. Additionally, six new testing sites will open tomorrow, January 4, 2022.

These sites will offer rapid antigen tests.  You can schedule your appointment here.

Capital Region
Crossgates Mall (Former Ruby Tuesday location)
1 Crossgates Mall Road
Albany, NY 12203

Central New York
CNY Regional Market F Shed
2100 Park Street
Syracuse, NY 13208

Finger Lakes
YMCA Carlson MetroCenter
444 E Main Street
Rochester, NY 14604

Hudson Valley
Grace Baptist Church
52 S 6th Avenue
Mount Vernon, NY 10550

Patriot Hills Golf Club
19 Club House Lane
Stony Point, NY 10980

Western New York
Northwest Buffalo Community Center
155 Lawn Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14207

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