NBC New York: Hochul Extends Mask Mandate, Debuts New Surge Plan as NY Smashes All-Time Case Record Again. “On the final day of 2021, the country’s first calendar year completely engulfed by the COVID-19 pandemic, New York delivered one last record-smashing COVID case high for a third straight day. The governor’s final update for the year included a record 76,555 new positives as the omicron surge stretches the state’s hospitals further. In her final address of 2021, Gov. Kathy Hochul detailed a revamped winter surge plan with five keys targets to aid overwhelmed hospitals and protect the most vulnerable.”