Lewis County General Hospital in Lowville, New York seeks to suspend baby delivery due to a shortage of workers. The demand for workers at this particular hospital is merely a retaliation of employees. Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced that all healthcare workers in New York state, including the staff in hospitals and long-term healthcare facilities like nursing homes, and adult care, will be required to be vaccinated against the Covid-19 virus by Monday, September 27.  The State Department of Health will issue Section 16 orders requiring all hospitals, nursing homes, and long-term living facilities to implement this mandate with limited exceptions towards religious beliefs or individual medical reasons. 

The delivery nurses decided it was more preferable to resign their positions than to abide by the state’s Covid vaccine mandate. Out of the 18 total nurses, 6  have terminated their career at Lewis County General Hospital as a result of the requirement. 7 individuals have yet to clarify their vaccination status, leaving the hospital worried about further losses in the maternity ward. The department will pause baby deliveries starting September 25th and will resume care indefinitely.  If the number of workers continues to decline, which is how it seems to be looking, the pediatric unit, oncology unit, rehabilitation wards, and many more units will be affected as well.