Monroe County Executive Adam Bello and Public Health Commissioner Dr. Michael Mendoza: BA.2 variant present in Monroe County

Rochester, New York — On Wednesday, Public Health Commissioner Dr. Michael Mendoza and Monroe County Executive Adam Bello released a joint statement regarding a local rise in COVID-19 cases.

The highly contagious omicron BA.2 variant is now present locally and Monroe is seeing a rising number of COVID-19 cases, according to the county officials.

Bello and Dr. Mendoza reported 108 new lab-confirmed cases Wednesday and 111 new positive at-home test results — the second day in a row that new cases have surpassed 200.

According to the county officials, they expect this upward trend to continue.

“This is not cause for panic,” Bello and Dr. Mendoza said in their joint statement. “Most individuals who have been vaccinated and boosted, or who have previously been infected with COVID, will probably not experience severe illness from this variant. However, some people remain at higher risk. An increase in hospitalizations tends to lag behind increases in case numbers.”

The county executive and health commissioner issued the following for all county residents:

• Anyone who is eligible, but not yet vaccinated or boosted, should get immunized now
• Individuals who are at higher risk for severe illness should consider wearing an N95 or KN95 mask when in public spaces and maintain social distancing as much as possible
• Stay home if you are sick and get tested for COVID-19

According to Bello and Dr. Mendoza, Monroe County will continue to monitor the situation, and we will provide further guidance if warranted.