Category: Health

Rochester Regional Health: Workers putting residents over self at nursing homes during outbreaks
One of the nursing homes operated by Rochester Regional Health here in the Finger Lakes saw the worst of the coronavirus pandemic. As of January 22 there had been 108 cases of COVID-19 among residents at DeMay Living Center in Newark. There ... MORE

WATCH: Gov. Cuomo gives Friday briefing (video)
Gov. Andrew Cuomo gave his daily briefing on Friday a little after 11:30 p.m. Watch it below ... MORE

Excellus: Prevalence of flu down this year, due to safety measures and vaccination
The prevalence of flu in New York state is down significantly compared to this time last year, according to an analysis of health tracking data by Excellus BlueCross BlueShield. Among the reasons is a close match between the flu vaccine and the ... MORE

Open Enrollment extended for New Yorkers due to COVID-19
Gov. Andrew Cuomo says he’s extending the window for New York’s uninsured to get insurance through the state health portal. The new deadline is March 31, 2021, according to an announcement by the Governor. New Yorkers can apply for coverage through NY ... MORE

Why did certain prescription drug prices jump during pandemic? NY launches invsetigation
New York State is launching an investigation into the rise of prescription drug prices during the COVID-19 pandemic. Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that the Department of Financial Services’ newly formed Office of Pharmacy Benefits has initiated investigations into significant price spikes for ... MORE

Vaccine shortage causing ‘wait and see’ approach from state government
Gov. Andrew Cuomo says everything COVID-19 vaccine-related is a ‘week to week’ proposition now. “We’re trying to smooth it out, but we’re also trying to get it out as fast as possible,” Cuomo said earlier this week, speaking to the challenges of ... MORE

Hundreds more will be vaccinated this weekend in Seneca County
While there has been plenty of discussion and debate about how much vaccine is available, or how much is being distributed to New York State – local officials are moving forward. Last week, the health department in Seneca County used up the ... MORE

Sen. Helming sends letter to Cuomo requesting high school sports resume
Sen. Pam Helming (R-54) has joined the chorus of voices across the state calling for high school sports to resume. She says that countless students, parents, coaches, and concerned family members have contacted her to share their frustration with continued shutdown of ... MORE

Around 75% of New Yorkers say they have or will get COVID-19 vaccine
Three-quarters of New Yorkers say they have either been vaccinated, or plan to get the COVID-19 vaccine. That’s the takeaway from a new poll released by Siena College. The biggest subset of those who say won’t get the vaccinate come from a ... MORE

Local entrepreneur reflects on local development of Rheonix COVID test
Entrepreneur Greg Galvin was the 2014 Cornell Entrepreneur of the Year. He’s the founder of the company Rheonix, which is an Ithaca-based biotech company. His COVID-19 test is the one that enabled Cayuga Health System to open one of the first drive-thru ... MORE

Cuomo asks Pfizer if New York State can purchase vaccine directly from them
Governor Andrew Cuomo wants to see if New York State can purchase the Pfizer vaccine directly from the company. It’s a bold move that hasn’t been tried before in other parts of the U.S. However, as federal rollout slows, Cuomo is looking ... MORE

Sen. Manion wants to see high school sports restarted immediately
Senator John Manion, who represents the 53rd District has joined the growing list of lawmakers who want to see high school sports resume. The newly-elected representative of a district in Central New York says that he wants to see high school sports ... MORE

New UK variant of COVID-19 found in Tompkins County case
The Tompkins County Health Department says they have now found a positive case of the “UK variant” of COVID-19. The case was sequenced through Cornell University’s COVID-19 testing lab as part of that lab’s testing services for Cayuga Health System and the ... MORE

Lawmakers call for vaccine hearing to determine issues with rollout in New York
Lawmakers are calling for a public hearing to address concerns about distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine. Assemblyman Colin Schmitt and Assemblyman Kevin Byrne requested that the hearing be held by the Local Governments and Health committees. “We have an obligation to convene ... MORE

SUNY Cortland will serve as vaccination hub for part of region
SUNY Cortland has partnered with Cortland County and Guthrie Cortland Medical Center to host a large-scale COVID-19 vaccination center to serve eligible populations in the region. The center, located in SUNY Cortland’s Park Center Alumni Ice Arena, could open as early as next week. It is needed to meet ... MORE