NY Gov allows elective surgeries in parts of state

Hospitals in parts of New York will be able to conduct outpatient elective surgeries again, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Tuesday as he pledged to consider regional differences when re-opening the state's outbreak-stalled economy.

The governor said elective treatments will be allowed in places where the outbreak is less severe.

"We're going to allow it in those hospitals and counties in the state that do not have a COVID issue or we wouldn't need their beds in case of a surge," Cuomo said at a briefing in Buffalo.

The hospital restrictions will remain in effect in New York City and suburban Westchester and Rockland counties, as well as in Albany, Dutchess and Erie counties, he said.

The guidelines come as the state plans how to gradually ease up on outbreak restrictions.

The total number of statewide hospitalizations has been slowly dropping along with the daily death toll.

The state recorded 481 deaths Monday, the second straight day with under 500 fatalities.

But Cuomo said the outbreak is moving through regions of the state at different rates.

Rural stretches of northern New York are facing "a totally different situation" than New York City, a global COVID-19 hotspot, he said.

Cuomo appeared in Buffalo a day after protesters drove about 150 cars in the city's downtown to call for an end to stay-at-home restrictions.

Protesters beeped their horns and waved flags from their car windows.