Gov. Kathy Hochul issued an executive order Friday declaring a state disaster emergency in response to the ongoing monkeypox outbreak.

The executive order enables the state to respond more swiftly to the outbreak and allows health care professionals to take additional steps that will help get more New Yorkers vaccinated.

"After reviewing the latest data on the monkeypox outbreak in New York state, I am declaring a state disaster emergency to strengthen our aggressive ongoing efforts to confront this outbreak," Hochul said.

The executive order specifically extends the pool of eligible individuals who can administer monkeypox vaccines, including EMS personnel, pharmacists and midwives; allows physicians and certified nurse practitioners to issue non patient specific standing orders for vaccines; and requires providers to send vaccine data to the state Department of Health.

The governor has secured 170,000 vaccine doses for New Yorkers. She is recommending that people who are at higher risk or were exposed to the virus, get vaccinated as soon as possible.

To date, there are two confirmed cases in Sullivan County, three in Orange County, four in Rockland and 36 cases in Westchester.