New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (Danielle Silverman/Newsday via AP)

As of late Monday night, New York state Gov. Kathy Hochul was reporting that the number of health-care workers receiving a first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine had increased dramatically over the last month.

In a news release, the governor offered these numbers:

— The percentage of nursing home staff receiving at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose increased to 92% as of Monday evening, up from 70% on Aug. 15 before the vaccine mandate was announced.

— The percentage of adult care facilities staff receiving at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose increased to 89% as of Monday evening, up from 76% on Aug. 15 before the vaccine mandate was announced.

— The percentage of hospital staff fully vaccinated is 84% as of Sept. 22, up from 77% on Aug. 10 before the vaccine mandate was announced. Preliminary self-reported data shows that hospital staff receiving at least one dose of vaccine is 92% as of Monday evening.

In the meantime, area health-care institutions were coping with suspensions. At Heritage Ministries facilities, 9% of the staff had not had a first dose. At UPMC Chautauqua, at least nearly 30 employees had been suspended for the time being. Brooks-TLC also noted 9% of its staff had not had the vacccine.

Hochul also signed an executive order to alleviate potential staffing shortages in hospitals and other health care facilities statewide. The executive order significantly expands the eligible health care workforce and allows additional health care workers to administer COVID-19 testing and vaccinations.

“The only way we can move past this pandemic is to ensure that everyone eligible is vaccinated, and that includes those who are taking care of our vulnerable family members and loved ones,” Hochul said. “On Saturday I released a comprehensive plan in advance of the deadline for the vaccine mandate that keeps New Yorkers safe, and tonight I am adding even more provisions to take bold action to alleviate potential staffing shortages. To monitor developments on the ground, I am also directing an around-the-clock operations center to assist local partners and troubleshoot staffing issues in real time.”

Hochul has directed a 24/7 Operations Center, led by the New York State Department of Health, to constantly monitor staffing operations and trends statewide, provide guidance to healthcare facilities and help troubleshoot acute situations with providers as necessary. The governor is engaged in ongoing outreach with local elected officials, hospitals, labor leaders, and other health care organizations to check-in on staffing status and offer state assistance.