Dec 6, 2021 - Politics & Policy

Gov. Hochul will order some NY hospitals to halt elective surgeries

Kathy Hochul

New York State Gov. Kathy Hochul COVID-19 addresses rising cases in the state and the new variant Omicron at a press conference in November. Photo: Lev Radin/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced on Monday that some state hospitals will be ordered to halt certain elective surgeries in an effort to combat a recent COVID-19 surge, Hochul said at a press conference.

Why it matters: New York has struggled with hospital capacity throughout the pandemic and postponed nonessential procedures before.

Details: Hochul said the program to end elective surgeries will be "targeted" and affect around 30 facilities, which are expected to be announced late Monday.

What she's saying: "We did not want to return to a scenario in the early months of the pandemic where there was a wholesale shutting down of elective surgeries regardless of what the infection rate was in a region," Hochul said.

  • Hochul also added that she was "reserving the right" to take further steps if necessary.

What's next: The order will go into effect on Thursday, per the initial announcement.

Go deeper: Surgeries are getting delayed again

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