New York declares covid state of emergency as Gov. Hochul warns that omicron variant 'is coming'

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) declared a state of emergency Friday in response to a cold-weather surge of coronavirus infections and the threat of the newly detected omicron variant, making her state one of the first in the country to impose measures against the mutation that was recently sequenced in southern Africa.

As part of the emergency, the state’s health department will be allowed to protect hospital capacity by limiting nonessential and non-urgent care until at least Jan. 15. Hospitals with less than 10 percent staffed bed capacity, or those designated by the state, will be authorized to screen patients and restrict admissions to keep beds open for the most urgent cases.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Friday that omicron had not yet been detected in the United States, but Hochul said of the variant: “It’s coming.”

She also urged New Yorkers to mask up in indoor public venues, get tested when appropriate and stay home when ill. She also reminded residents to get coronavirus vaccinations or booster shots.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/new-york-declares-covid-state-of-emergency-as-gov-hochul-warns-that-omicron-variant-is-coming/ar-AARbMM2