Hochul looks to extend vaccine mandate to more health care workers

New York State successfully navigated a challenging week of demanding hospital and nursing home workers get vaccinated against COVID-19 or be fired, Gov. Kathy Hochul said while also announcing she is working to extend the mandate to some staff at mental health facilities and prisons. Today's newsletter also includes a look at employers quizzing prospective hires on vaccination, a setback for "Aladdin" on Broadway, and answers about booster shots. By Edward B. Colby Hochul: 'I thank people who stepped up and did the right thing' Gov. Kathy Hochul speaks about COVID-19 during a news conference in Manhattan on Thursday. Credit: Office of the Governor / Kevin P. Coughlin Workers in hospitals and nursing homes had to have at least one shot of the vaccine by Monday or be dismissed under a regulation announced by former Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo and being implemented by Hochul. Hospital systems on Long Island said they had fired, furloughed or suspended hundreds of employees this week, though the vast majority of workers complied with the order. No health care facilities had to close because they lost too many staff members due to the order, Hochul said. Advertisements The governor, who was prepared to try to use replacement workers from other countries, said the mandate worked, Newsday's Bart Jones reports. "We got through a difficult week. It wasn't easy. I thank people who stepped up and did the right thing," Hochul said at a news briefing Thursday. The governor says she wants the authority to extend the vaccine requirement to health care workers at prisons and mental health facilities. "That is going to happen … we'll probably be ready to announce it very shortly," she said. The number of new positives reported today: 312 in Nassau, 511 in Suffolk, 1,366 in New York City and 4,744 statewide. Advertisements The chart below shows the percentages of New Yorkers who have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and those who have been fully vaccinated. The latest figures, at right, are 68.94% with at least one dose and 61.94% fully vaccinated. Credit: Newsday Search a map of vaccination rates, new cases and view charts showing the latest local trends in testing, vaccinations, hospitalizations, deaths and more. See more coronavirus headlines below. No health facilities in NY have shut down over shot mandate, Hochul says Around 90% of staff in nursing homes, hospitals and adult care facilities have received at least one dose, Hochul said Wednesday. Potential hires may be quizzed on vaccination, carefully Anti-discrimination laws set limits on the kind of information employers may extract from would-be hires. To our community: Newsday readers support our strong local journalism by subscribing. Please show you value this important work by becoming a subscriber now. Subscribe for $1 Reopening of 'Aladdin' on Broadway halted by COVID-19 cases Breakthrough COVID-19 cases were reported within the musical's company, a day after the show reopened following some 18 months of being shuttered due to the pandemic. Answers to your questions about COVID-19 booster shots The Biden administration initially sought booster shots for the general population, but the CDC disagreed. We answer questions about the issue. Advertisement Poll: Biden vaccine mandate splits country on party lines A survey of Americans on President Biden's plan to require most workers to get either vaccinated or regularly tested for COVID-19 finds a deep and familiar divide. Newsday's Breaking News newsletter Get breaking news as it happens. Sign up for our email news alerts. SIGN UP Woman who survived 1918 flu, world war dies of COVID She lived a life of adventure that spanned two continents. She fell in love with a World War II fighter pilot, barely escaped Europe ahead of Benito Mussolini's fascists, ground steel for the U.S. war effort and advocated for her disabled daughter in a far less enlightened time. She was, her daughter said, someone who didn't make a habit of giving up. Editorial: Protests must observe bounds Those who oppose vaccination and vaccine mandates publicized the home address of Northwell Health chief executive Michael Dowling on social media and gathered there in the last several days, objecting, in particular, to the vaccine requirement for health care workers — a mandate that comes from the state. They're planning a larger "freedom protest" Saturday at his home. Advertisement Popular taco spot closes Patchogue location A year and a half into the pandemic, the surf-and-sun-themed spot can't staff two locations. U.S. unemployment claims rise third straight week to 362,000 The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits rose for the third straight week, a sign that the highly contagious delta variant may be slowing the job market's recovery. Kyrie Irving could lose pay if he's unvaccinated, NBA says The star guard would not be paid for the 41 home games at Barclays Center and two at Madison Square Garden. Shea: NYPD vaccination rate against COVID-19 at 64% Some 64% of NYPD members have been vaccinated against COVID-19, a marked increase from a month ago but still far below the rates among other municipal workers, officials said Tuesday. Suffolk sheriff postpones open house, family day at correctional center A staff shortage amid the pandemic has prompted the Suffolk sheriff to cancel this year's open house and family day at the correctional center, delaying it until next year. Advertisement Sign up for more newsletters You can cancel anytime How are we doing? 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