31st July, 2022
Kathy Hochul, the governor of New York, has declared a state of emergency due to the continuous spread of monkeypox.
Her declaration came in a tweet on Saturday after an influx of infections were recorded in the state.
She tweeted; “I am declaring a State Disaster Emergency to strengthen our ongoing efforts to confront the monkeypox outbreak,” Hochul tweeted.
“This Executive Order enables us to respond more swiftly and allows health care professionals to take additional steps that will help get more New Yorkers vaccinated.
“More than one in four monkeypox cases in this country are in New York, currently having a disproportionate impact on at-risk groups.
“We are working around the clock to secure more vaccines, expand testing capacity, and educate New Yorkers on how to stay safe” she added.
As of July 29, New York state had a total of 1,383 confirmed orthopoxvirus/monkeypox cases, according to the New York Department of Health’s website.