Monroe County Executive Adam Bello and New York Lt. Governor Brian Benjamin have announced that medically-trained National Guard soldiers will be coming to Rochester by Friday, to help alleviate staff shortages at Monroe County nursing homes.
Benjamin said there will be 26 EMT-trained soldiers coming to Rochester in this first round, with about 100 going to other cities around the state.
Benjamin couldn’t say if these soldiers will be leaving civilian jobs at other health care centers, possibly spreading the staff shortages.
The county reported 624 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, the first day of a State of Emergency declared by Bello for COVID.
Asked if he’s considering a mask mandate for the county, Bello said that wouldn’t be appropriate for now. He said “we’re using a scalpel, not a sledgehammer” on the problem.
Phase one of Bello’s emergency order requires masks for everyone in county facilities, but merely asks business and other facility owners to consider masks for their staff and visitors.