10 more Covid-19 cases in Orleans, 2 more deaths at nursing home
Village of Orleans in Albion now has 38 confirmed cases, 7 deaths from virus
ALBION – There are 10 more confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Orleans County, the biggest one-day jump for the county, and two more deaths.
That brings the total number of confirmed cases to 75 in Orleans, and seven deaths. The seven people who died from the virus were all residents at the Village of Orleans Health and Rehabilitation Center, the former county nursing home in Albion. That 120-bed facility now has 38 confirmed cases of Covid-19.
The Villages of Orleans represents 51 percent of the county total cases. That doesn’t mean the rest of the community should feel like the virus isn’t pervasive in the county, said Paul Pettit, public health director for Orleans and Genesee counties.
Residents in all 10 towns in Orleans have tested positive for Covid-19.
The 10 new positive include two people outside the Villages, with one in Barre and one in Kendall. The other eight are residents of the nursing home.
Of the new cases, one person is in the 30s, one in the 40s, two in their 60s, one in the 70s, three in their 80s and two people in their 90s or older.
One of the new positive cases was on quarantine prior to becoming symptomatic, the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments reported today. Eight of the total active positive cases are hospitalized.
The Health Department also is reporting one new positive in Genesee County, bringing that county’s total to 142 positive cases, which includes 49 detainees at the federal detention facility in Batavia and three residents of the Batavia VA Medical Center.
The new case reported today in Genesee is an Elba resident in the 50s. The person was not on quarantine prior to becoming symptomatic.
Genesee has five more recoveries, bringing the total recoveries to 69. In Orleans, 22 people have recovered after contracting the virus.
The following information is from a press release from the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments:
Non-county Public Regulated Facilities
• Due to the increased number of positive cases at specific regulated facilities, the G-O Health Departments have added a new chart to show the number of positive cases of Covid-19 for non-county public regulated facilities whose regulatory oversight does not fall within the local health departments.
• The numbers are part of the cumulative positive case numbers received since the first positive. As of today, in Orleans County the number of positive cases of Covid-19 at The Villages of Orleans has surpassed the number of community cases. These facilities are regulated by the state or federal government agencies and those who live within those facilities are overseen by those respective agencies. The local health departments will oversee any employees or community contacts (who reside within our counties) who had close contact with those who tested positive or who have become symptomatic.
This chart will be updated to reflect any public regulated facilities if and when confirmed Covid-19 cases are identified.
• Remember even though the numbers may be high at a specific location, the virus is still moving though our counties. People need to continue frequent handwashing and sanitizing shared surfaces, practicing stay safe at home, social distancing and wearing cloth masks when out in public. This is not the time for gathering at the grocery stores, take-out lines or play dates. This is the time to be kind and think of the health and well-being of others.
• The NYS Health Department will partner with the State’s Attorney General to investigate nursing home violations. A hotline or online form can be submitted where residents, families, or members of the public can share complaints about nursing homes that have not provided required communications with families about Covid-19 diagnoses or fatalities, nursing home abuse and neglect including failure to follow rules to keep residents safe. The hotline number is 833-249-8499 or click here the link for the online form.
Testing
• Antibody testing: Preliminary Phase 1 results of the Antibody Testing Study shows 13.9% of the population have Covid-19 antibodies. That is based on 3,000 random samples taken at various locations (19 counties and 40 localities) across the state, including at grocery stores and big-box stores where people were openly going out in public.
The preliminary results are:
- Long Island made up 14.4% of the total tests and 16.7% had the antibodies
- New York City made up 43% of the total tests and 21.2% had the antibodies
- Westchester / Rockland made up 9.8% of the total test and 11.7% in that region had the antibodies
- Rest of the state accounted for 32.8% of the total tests and 3.6% had the antibodies
Wearing Masks and Social Distancing
• Wearing masks and social distancing at a minimum of 6 feet are paramount to preventing flare-ups and mini-outbreaks. Everyone needs to be compliant. Correctly wearing cloth masks is part of a multi-prong approach to stop/slow the spread of Covid-19.
• We know wearing a face covering is inconvenient and uncomfortable, but it can limit transmission of respiratory germs. The mask traps the droplets before they spread into the environment. Remember wearing a face covering helps to protect others from your potential germs. “My mask protects you, and your mask protects me!”
• The Health Department encourages stores and businesses to set guidelines that include not allowing patrons to enter if they are not wearing a face covering or wearing it correctly (covering the mouth and nose). Make sure proper signage noting your policy is visible to patrons.
Prevent the Spread
As/when the state starts open up we all have to be diligent for quite some time to prevent the spread of this virus.
- Continue frequent handwashing/hand sanitizing if soap and water are not available.
- Continue frequent sanitizing/cleaning of shared surfaces.
- Continue social distancing – staying 6 feet away from others.
- Continue wearing face coverings – wearing face coverings correctly when out in public. The mouth and nose are to be covered and the face covering should be tucked under the chin. Wearing masks is a way of strengthening social distancing.
- Stay HOME if you are sick! Do not go shopping, Do not go to work, Do not go visiting!
There is still no cure or vaccination available for Covid-19. Be alert to scams or home remedies. Contact your primary care provider if you have any symptoms and follow his/her instructions.
There is still limited swabbing available in Genesee and Orleans counties. If you are experiencing symptoms, contact your primary care provider and they will determine if testing is right for you. If the counties receive an increase in swabbing supplies and the protocol for testing is changed, we will notify the public.
Mental Health
Everyone reacts differently to stressful situations and having to socially distance yourself from someone you love can be difficult. Below are resources that can help you connect to a professional that can help you through these challenging times:
- Care + Crisis Helpline is available 24/7 at 585-283-5200 or text ‘Talk’ to 741741.
- New Yorkers can call the COVID-19 Emotional Support Hotline at 1-844-863-9314 for mental health counseling.
