NEW YORK (WBEN) — Over three dozen hospitals in New York State have capacity of 10% or less remaining amid a rise in COVID-19 cases, according to new data from the Department of Health.
The data released Tuesday showed 37 hospitals throughout the state are facing a capacity crunch.
Three Buffalo hospitals appear on the list: Sisters Hospital, ECMC and Mercy Hospital.
Most of the hospitals were around 90% full on Friday, reaching the trigger point for medical facilities to halt elective surgeries for at least a month.
While Gov. Kathy Hochul has already signed an executive order allowing health officials to limit non-essential procedures, Dr. Teresa Murray Amato, executive director of emergency medicine at Long Island Jewish Forrest Hills, told 1010 WINS they are not making any decisions yet.
“We’re looking at our full health system and if you look at our health system, we are nowhere near that that point that we would have to put off having elective surgeries,” she explained.
Though, it remains unclear if the state will allow them that flexibility.
Meanwhile, Dr. Amato has said they have a surge plan ready if there is a shortage of capacity.
“You hope for the best, but you prepare for the worst,” she said.
Gov. Hochul and state health officials are continuing to urge vaccinations, especially as the new omicron variant looms.
On Tuesday, the governor’s office announced 66.5% of all New Yorkers have completed their vaccine series.
Data also showed that 2,992 patients were hospitalized with COVID-19, with 567 in the ICU and 303 with intubation.
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