136 have tested positive at 4 rapid test clinics so far in Orleans

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 8 January 2021 at 9:00 am

Positivity rate at 6.7 percent for asymptomatic people at testing clinics

Photos by Tom Rivers: Jack Welch, Orleans County chief administrative officer, assisted at the rapid test clinic on Wednesday at the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds. He is shown in a driver’s side mirror of a car in line.

Orleans County has hosted four rapid Covid-19 test clinics, with the first on Dec. 16. There have been 2,035 tests administered in the four clinics, and 136 have come back positive for a positivity rate of 6.7 percent.

The county’s public health director expects the clinics, which are free to those being tested, to continue weekly through at least the end of January.

The clinics are targeted for asymptomatic people who may have had a close contact with someone Covid positive or may need a Covid test for their job, a medical appointment or to visit a loved one in a nursing home.

“Please note if you have recently tested positive, please do not come and get tested again at these clinics,” the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments advises. “These clinics are to identify new cases, not to determine if you are now negative.”

Here are results from the first four clinics:

• Dec. 16: 12 positive out of 420 tests, 2.9 percent positive

• Dec. 21: 22 positive out of 546 tests, 4.0 percent positive

• Dec. 28: 54 positive out of 532 tests, 10.2 percent positive

• Jan. 6: 48 positive out of 537 tests, 8.9 percent positive

Orleans County will next host a clinic on Wednesday, Jan. 13, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds. Click here to register on the state Department of Health website.

Genesee County will host rapid test clinics next Tuesday and Thursday from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Genesee County Emergency Management/Fire Training Center at 7690 State Street Rd., Batavia. Click here for registration information from the state.

Those getting tested also need to complete an intake form from the G-O Health Departments. Click here for more information.

Mike Beach of Albion greets people at the rapid test clinic, making sure they have an appointment and an intake form completed. Drivers enter the fairgrounds from the west end on Taylor Hill Road.