Governor Kathy Hochul announced that domestic violence programs across New York will receive free naloxone emergency kits to address the strong correlation between domestic violence and substance abuse.

State health commissioner Dr. Mary Bassett says there’s no set date to get rid of New York’s COVID-19 pandemic mask mandate for schoolchildren. Bassett addressed the hot-button issue as she testified at a joint legislative budget hearing Tuesday.

New York continues to break records for residents testing positive for the coronavirus, even though there is a shortage of at-home tests and there can be long waits at testing centers. Governor Kathy Hochul says more access to testing is coming.

New York’s Health Commissioner Dr. Mary Bassett has tested positive for COVID-19, Governor Kathy Hochul announced in a briefing that documented the worsening situation in the state as the omicron variant multiplies. Hochul says Dr. Bassett is experiencing mild symptoms and is self isolating for the next several days.

Concerns about the spread of the omicron variant of COVID-19 are growing, as the more contagious version of the virus is beginning to take hold in New York. The state reported 21,000 new cases on Thursday, up more than 40% from the day before, and the highest single day case total since the pandemic began.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul is warning that the state could face rapidly rising rates of COVID-19 in the coming weeks, based on early data and trends in Europe, where waves of the disease have often preceded surges in the U.S.

Questions emerged Monday over whether new mask and vaccination requirements imposed by Governor Kathy Hochul will be carried out by the businesses who must comply with them, and the local government who are being asked to enforce them.

The first case of the COVID-19 omicron variant has been confirmed in Onondaga County, and officials say it serves as another reminder to get vaccinated and wear a mask. Health Commissioner Dr. Indu Gupta says we know it’s more transmissible, but symptoms appear to be milder and the vaccine seems to offer good protection.

Syracuse-area health, safety, and parent advocates want the state DOT to ensure those living and attending school near the I-81 viaduct are properly protected from lead dust exposure when the bridge is torn down. They gathered in front of Martin Luther King school Wednesday, which lies in the shadow of the highway.

COVID-19 has been with us for nearly two years, but ACR Health took time out on World AIDS Day Wednesday to commemorate the 40 years since the since the beginning of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the US. A virtual presentation featured music, poetry, and meditation.