Congresswoman Elise Stefanik released the below statement following Governor Cuomo’s announcement that he is signing an executive order to shift ventilators from Upstate to Downstate New York:
“I am very concerned about Governor Cuomo’s announcement today regarding his plan to sign an executive order to shift ventilators from Upstate to Downstate New York,” said Congresswoman Stefanik. “The North Country comprises the largest number of seniors of any Congressional District in New York State, the most vulnerable age group to COVID-19. Our critical needs and vulnerabilities must be considered. North Country hospitals reached out to my office with this specific concern earlier this week – our rural hospitals are already very limited in resources and we must ensure Upstate New York’s needs for testing supplies and ventilators are fully met. I am committed to working through these concerns with both Republican and Democrat Upstate officials, our hospitals, and county public health offices.”
The Governor announced he will issue an Executive Order allowing the State to redistribute ventilators and personal protective equipment to hospitals with the highest need. He will ask upstate hospitals to loan 20 percent of their unused ventilators to struggling downstate hospitals — and then he has stated he will ask downstate hospitals for similar help when the pandemic wave hits upstate New York. The equipment will either be returned to the hospital it came from or the hospital will be reimbursed for it.
A new COVID-19 drive-thru mobile testing center will open in Albany on Monday, April 6th. The mobile testing center will be located in a parking lot at the State University of New York at Albany campus at 1400 Washington Avenue, Albany. The site will prioritize tests for individuals who are among the highest risk population. Capital District residents who would like to be tested must make an appointment by calling 888-364-3065. There will be no walk-ins allowed and all patients must be in a vehicle.