Midday News Brief
Written by Dan Fischer on December 23, 2021
United Memorial Medical Center has stopped certain procedures for the next two weeks, to include non-essential elective inpatient, 23 hour and same-day elective surgeries and procedures. This decision resulted from the lack of bed capacity; at present, they now have less than 10% of their beds available. They are now considered an ‘impacted facility’, although this is not due exclusively to COVID-19 hospitalizations. UMMC encourages individuals with non-emergency needs to try to go to their Primary Care Physician first.
Governor Hochul has signed several pieces of legislation aimed at making it easier to combat the spread of COVID. The first, makes claiming to have been vaccinated against COVID falsely, a misdemeanor offense. The legislation classifies the crime as forgery of a written instrument. The second, allows schools to access and download the statewide immunization database for easier searching and keeping tabs on which student is vaccinated against what. Other legislation enacted several studies into the COVID response.
When it comes time to head to your holiday destination, it may be quicker to take state highways to get where you’re going. That’s because until six a-m Monday, temporary lane closures for road and bridge construction projects on those roads are suspended. Travelers are urged to take advantage of rest stops on the Thruway so they can get a break when needed. Drivers can also receive traffic updates on their phones by downloading the Thruway Authority’s mobile app.
If you’re planning to attend a game or event at the Bills Stadium, Blue Cross Arena, or KeyBank Center with a child aged 5-11, proof of their vaccination will also be necessary. All guests age 5 and older now must show an original vaccination card, Excelsior Pass, or government proof of vaccination to enter. At this time, this is only for large venue locations requiring vaccination for entry.
GO Health now accepts results of at-home COVID tests. The Health Department has announced that they have developed an online form that allows people to report their positive test results from at-home kits. The form requires you take a picture of the test to prove the results as well as authenticity of the test. Any positive results must be reported within 24 hours of taking the test. Negative tests do not need to be reported.
And in the spirit of the season, the LeRoy Knights have donated gifts to residents and staff at LeRoy Village Green. WBTA News learned of this kindness for our news partner, The Batavian; their website has a video with details.
