New York Governor Kathy Hotchul issued an executive order on Friday declaring a state of disaster emergency in response to the monkeypox outbreak. New York is the epicenter of the outbreak in the US, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that there are currently 1,345 confirmed cases of monkeypox and orthopox in the Empire State. “After reviewing the latest data regarding the monkeypox outbreak in New York State, I am declaring a State Disaster Emergency to enhance our aggressive ongoing efforts to address this outbreak,” the leader wrote in a statement. “More than one in four cases of monkeypox in this country are in New York State, and we must use every tool in our arsenal as we respond. It is especially important to recognize the ways in which this outbreak disproportionately affects certain groups.” at risk. That’s why my team and I are working around the clock to secure more vaccines, expand testing capacity, and responsibly educate the public about how to stay safe during this outbreak,” he said. NEW YORK, SAN FRANCISCO: PUBLIC HEALTH THREAT New York Governor Kathy Hochul. (Craig Ruttle-Pool/Getty Images) Hochul said on Twitter that the order would allow the state government to “respond more quickly” and help the state’s vaccination efforts. Specifically, the order expands the pool of eligible people who are able to administer the vaccines, including EMS personnel, pharmacists and midwives. It also allows doctors and registered nurses to issue standing orders for non-patient-specific vaccines and requires providers to send vaccine data to the New York State Department of Health. On Thursday, Empire State Health Commissioner declared monkeypox an “imminent threat to public health”. People wait in line for smallpox vaccination in New York, July 14. (Lokman Vural Elibol/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) SPAIN CONFIRMED FIRST EUROPE-RELATED DEATH “Based on the continued spread of this virus, which has increased rapidly and has primarily affected communities that identify as men who have sex with men, and the need for vaccination by local jurisdictions, I have declared that monkeypox is an immediate threat to public health throughout New York State,” state Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett. “This declaration means that local health departments engaged in response and prevention activities will be able to access additional state reimbursements, after other federal and state funding sources are maximized, to protect all New Yorkers and ultimately contain the spread of monkeypox in our communities.” Hochul then announced that 110,00 doses of monkeypox vaccine had been secured for the state and would be delivered over the next four to six weeks. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra speaks on June 28, 2022, in Washington. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, File) Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra announced Thursday that an additional 786,000 doses of the vaccine will be deployed across the country. “Our goal is to stay ahead of this virus and end this outbreak. We have a strategy to develop these additional vaccine doses in a way that protects those at risk and limits the spread of the virus, while working with states to ensure equity and fair distribution,” he said. “These vaccines are the result of years of federal investment and planning.” In a call, Becerra told reporters the same day that the Biden administration believes it “has done everything it can at the federal level to work with … state and local partners and affected communities to make sure we can stay ahead of this and end this outbreak.” CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP The Associated Press contributed to this report. Julia Musto is a reporter for Fox News Digital. You can find her on Twitter at @JuliaElenaMusto.