Gov. Kathy Hochul signed Monday evening an executive order to alleviate potential staffing shortages in hospitals and other health care facilities statewide.

The order expands eligible health care workforce and allows additional health care workers to administer COVID-19 testing and vaccinations, as vaccination mandate begins in New York state.

Gov. Hochul directed a 24/7 Operations Center, led by the New York state Department of Health, to monitor staffing operations and trends statewide, provide guidance to health care facilities and help troubleshoot staffing shortages.

"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," Gov. Hochul says.

Gov. Hochul says if there aren't enough workers, she's ready to bring in out-of-state and out-of-country health care workers. The order also allows retirees to reenter the workforce, allows practioners to work or volunteer in other facilities, among other provisions. Gov. Hochul says the National Guard could also be called in to help.

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.