A contract is now in place to help alleviate the backlog of Monroe County patients waiting for nursing home beds.
Under the deal, the county will provide $5 million in incentive payments from the American Rescue Plan to nursing homes to take those patients.
The funds can then be used to raise employee wages, or add on shifts or training programs.
Local hospital officials have said the backup of patients could cut down on the number of hospital beds for people who get sick from the flu, RSV, or COVID-19.