Both the University of Rochester Medical Center and Rochester Regional Health say they will be able to continue important medical treatment, even if healthcare workers decide to walk off the job Monday rather than get vaccinated under the state mandate.
One official says hospitals are used to working with short staffs, but there may be some delays.
Both Chief Medical Officers, County Health Commissioner Dr. Michael Mendoza and County Executive Adam Bello says critical health care services will be supplied. However, UrMC has postponed scheduling new elective surgeries for two weeks; previously scheduled surgeries will continue. Some blood draw centers and urgent care centers in both major health networks have been shut down temporarily so staff can focus on the regional hospitals.
Monday is the deadline by which all medical staff are to be vaccinated for COVID by state mandate, or face losing their jobs.