New York governor: Monkeypox is a ‘disaster emergency’

New York Governor Kathy Hochul issued an executive order on Friday declaring a State Disaster Emergency in response to the monkeypox outbreak.

New York is at the epicenter for the U.S. monkeypox and Orthopoxvirus outbreaks. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are currently 1,345 cases of monkeypox and orthopoxvirus confirmed in New York. 

“After reviewing the latest data on the monkeypox outbreak in New York State, I am declaring a State Disaster Emergency to strengthen our aggressive ongoing efforts to confront this outbreak,” the leader wrote in a statement. 

“More that one in four cases of monkeypox in the United States is in New York State,” said Dr. Michael A. Sullivan. We need to use every tool we have as we respond. It is especially important to acknowledge the way that this outbreak is having adisproportionate impact on certain groups at risk. “That’s why my team, I and others are working round the clock to secure additional vaccines, expand testing capacities and responsibly educate the general public about how to stay safe during this epidemic,” she stated. 

NEW YORK, SAN FRANCISCO: MONKEYPOX THREAT TO PUBLIC HEALTH

Hochul tweeted that the order will allow the state to “respond quicker” and support the state’s vaccination efforts. 

The order expands the number of people who can give vaccine shots to include EMS personnel and pharmacists. 

It also allows physicians and certified nurse practitioners to issue non-patient-specific standing orders for vaccines and requires providers to send vaccine data to the New York State Department of Health. 

Thursday will see the Empire State’s Health Commissioner. Declared monkeypox “imminent danger”for public health.” 

SPAIN CONFIRMS FIRST EUROPE MONKEYPOX-RELATED SUICIDE DEATH

“Based on the continuing spread of this virus which has increased rapidly, and affected primarily communities who identify as men having sex with women, and the need to allow local jurisdictions administer vaccines to monkeypox,” Dr. Mary T. Bassett, State Commissioner of Health, stated in a statement. “This declaration means that local Health Departments engaged in prevention and response activities will be eligible for additional State reimbursement. This is to ensure the protection of all New Yorkers and to limit the spread monkeypox in our communities.

Hochul then announced that the state had 110,00 doses of monkeypox vaccine. These would be delivered in the next four to six week. 

Xavier Becerra Secretary of Department of Health and Human Services announced Thursday that an additional 786,000 doses of this vaccine would be available nationwide.

“Our goal is not to catch the virus but to end the outbreak. He said that we have a strategy for distributing these vaccine doses in a manner that protects people at risk and reduces the spread of the virus. We also work with states to ensure fair and equitable distribution. These vaccines are the product of years of planning and federal investment.

On a call, Becerra told reporters the same day that the Biden administration believes it has “done everything we can at the federal level to work with… state and local partners and communities affected to make sure we can stay ahead of this and end this outbreak.”

This report was contributed by The Associated Press.