Regional

Starting on Thursday, Dec. 9, hospitals statewide with 10 percent or fewer unstaffed beds available had to cease non-essential elective procedures. Their capacity will be reevaluated in mid-January. “We want to be flexible,” said Governor Kathy Hochul.

On Tuesday, Albany County Executive Daniel McCoy issued a joint public-health advisory with Schenectady County Manager Rory Fluman recommending all residents wear masks indoors, regardless of vaccination status, and recommending businesses require employees and customers to wear masks as well.

GALLUPVILLE — “On Friday, Dec. 3, 2021, a beautiful light went out with the passing of 42-year-old Timothy John Simmons,” his family wrote in a tribute.

“A lifelong resident of Gallupville, Tim loved spending time with his family and others he loved and those who loved him back,” the tribute said.

SCHENECTADY — Kristin Lee (née Kuehfus) Raymond — a pageant queen in her youth and an adventurous soul all her life — died unexpectedly on Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021. She was 56.

A pediatric vial of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine

For the first time, two of the new cases are upstate — from Oneida County, near the center of New York.

Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine

 New York State’s total of the highly contagious new Omicron variant, thus far, is eight: Seven cases from New York City and one from Suffolk County on Long Island.

William George Tesch

NEW SCOTLAND — William George Tesch “passed into eternal life” on Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021, his family wrote in a tribute, describing him as “a loving, devoted husband and father.” He was 84.

Born in Albany, New York, he was the son of the late William and Rita Hines Tesch.

Dave A. Chokshi, the New York City’s health commissioner, said of the Omicron variant in New York State, “There is community spread.” The cases, he said, are not just from people traveling to Africa, where the Omicron variant was first reported, or to other locations where it has been identified.

 Only 16 percent of adult New Yorkers have gotten booster shots. Of New Yorkers age 65 and older, 37 percent have received booster shots. The shots are needed because COVID-19 vaccines lose effectiveness over time.

As the first case of the Omicron variant in the United States was reported today — a fully vaccinated traveler from South Africa, returning to California — Governor Kathy Hochul, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, and Manhattan Congressman Jerry Nadler issued a joint statement on their congressional meeting today: 

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