Adam J. Bello: Monroe County Executive

News from the Office of
Adam J. Bello
Monroe County Executive
For immediate release:

November 30, 2021
COUNTY EXECUTIVE ADAM BELLO DECLARES STATE OF

EMERGENCY IN MONROE COUNTY DUE TO RISING COVID-19
HOSPITALIZATIONS
The county will also provide 750,000 rapid home test kits to residents to help
ensure a safer holiday season.
ROCHESTER, NY — Monroe County Executive Adam Bello today declared a state of emergency in
Monroe County due to rising hospitalization rates related to COVID-19.
“The trigger for this state of emergency is not the number of new COVID infections, but rather the
dramatic rise in COVID-19 hospitalizations, the increasing number of occupied ICU beds and the
resulting impact on the ability of our hospitals to treat non-COVID-related acute care and emergency
cases,” said County Executive Bello. “We need to flatten the curve of hospitalizations now, before this
situation reverts to what we experienced last year when our hospitals were forced to cancel non-
emergency – but necessary elective procedures like joint replacements, hernia surgery, spinal fusion,
kidney stones and some cancer treatments.”
Bello announced the state of emergency during a Nov. 30 COVID-19 briefing with Commissioner of
Public Health Dr. Michael Mendoza, University of Rochester Medical Center Chief Medical Officer Dr.
Michael Apostolakos and Rochester Regional Health Chief Medical Officer Dr. Robert Mayo.
There are no broad countywide mandates related to the state of emergency, however the County
Executive enacted the first phase of a targeted and focused three-phase approach that takes aim at
easing the burden that the increased spread of COVID is having on our hospital systems.
Phase 1 actions, effective at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021, include:
• A facemask requirement within all county operated facilities for both employees and members
of the public. This includes the county office building, Monroe County Clerk’s office, City Place
Building, DMVs, Monroe Community Hospital, the Fleet Center and county operated vaccine
or testing sites.
• The expansion of Monroe County rapid test operations in the City of Rochester, Greece, and
Pittsford.
• Reinstituting a work from home policy for those Monroe County employees who are able to do
so.
The County Executive encourages local governments, public and private sector employers to follow
suit by instituting masking requirements for their employees who work in close contact with other
individuals – and to allow those employees who can, to work from home.
1
“Our tracking data shows that COVID infections largely spread in the workplace, at residential
gatherings and at large indoor public events,” said Bello. “Phase 1 enacts common-sense proactive
approaches to limit workplace infections through employee masking and having employees work from
home when able to. These measures will remain in place until we have stabilized COVID
hospitalizations and ICU occupancy so non-COVID acute care patients have the medical resources
they need and deserve.”
In addition, Bello announced that Monroe County purchased 750,000 at-home rapid COVID-19 testing
kits for distribution to county residents to help ensure safe gatherings over the holiday season. The
test kits are free to county residents. A distribution plan is under development and will be made public
soon.
Bello said by year’s end, it will be apparent whether the common-sense approaches of Phase 1 are
working and whether the county will be required to elevate the state of emergency to Phase 2, which
would enact targeted masking mandates and implement a focused vaccine or test requirement for
certain indoor gatherings and events.
He urged all residents to get vaccinated, get a booster shot if necessary and to wear a mask when
inside public spaces.
Regional COVID statistics as of November 30, 2021
• 31 out of every 100,000 residents in the Finger Lakes region is hospitalized due to COVID-19
• In New York City – where vaccination rates are higher - there are five hospitalizations per
100,000 residents
• 20% of all COVID-related ICU patients in New York state are in Finger Lakes-area hospitals
• Of those hospitalized for COVID in Monroe County, 65% are not vaccinated
• Of those in ICU for COVID, almost 80% are not vaccinated
• Of those who are on a respirator for COVID, 82% are not vaccinated
“The facts and science show that the vast majority of people in hospitals with COVID could have
avoided it simply by getting vaccinated,” said Bello. “Because of these preventable cases, those
needing an ICU bed for unavoidable illness may have a lengthy wait for a bed to free up. This
pandemic is with us until we approach a fully vaccinated population. If you won’t get vaccinated for
yourself or your loved ones and their safety, please get vaccinated to allow others who need critical
care to get the timely treatment they need and deserve.”
—30—
Media inquiries:
Gary Walker, Director of Communications Meaghan M. McDermott, Deputy Director of

GaryWalker@MonroeCounty.gov Communications
(585) 753-1064 MeaghanMcDermott@MonroeCounty.gov
(585) 469-4365

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News from the Office of

For immediate release:

COUNTY EXECUTIVE ADAM BELLO DECLARES STATE OF

Gary Walker, Director of Communications Meaghan M. McDermott, Deputy Director of

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