CDC lists Orleans as ‘substantial level’ of Covid transmission after uptick in cases

Orleans County is considered to have “substantial level of community transmission,” according to CDC Covid Data Tracker (click here).

The number of active cases in the county has increased in the past week from 3 on Aug. 2 to 26 today. Genesee County is considered to be at “moderate level of transmission” and the active cases are up from 7 a week ago to 21 today.

The change in designation for Orleans isn’t a surprise, said Paul Pettit, public health director in Orleans and Genesee counties. That’s because Niagara, Erie and Monroe counties are all considered to be at the substantial level of transmission.”

The uptick of new Covid cases in both counties includes some cases where the individuals are fully vaccinated.

“This is not unexpected as we are seeing this across the state and nation,” Pettit said. “This is what viruses do. Even for those who are fully vaccinated there is a chance the individual may become infected with Covid-19, especially due to the high transmission rate of the Delta Variant. Although being fully vaccinated may not completely protect someone from getting Covid-19, the vast majority of those who have been fully vaccinated and have become infected had little or no symptoms or serious complications.”

Pettit and the local health department urge people eligible for the vaccine to get it if they haven’t already. The vaccination is free and clinics are held weekly at each of the health departments (click here  to see clinics and locations).

Pharmacies and health care providers also provide the Covid-19 vaccine. Check www.vaccines.gov for a location nearby.

Per the CDC recommendations for communities with substantial or high spread of Covid-19, the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments encourages everyone to continue, vaccinated and unvaccinated, to continue practicing the following public health prevention precautions:

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water.
• If water is not readily available, use hand sanitizer.
• Wash and sanitize frequently shared/touched items.
• Stay 6 feet away from others and avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Avoid crowds and poorly ventilated spaces.
• Wear a face mask indoors in public if you are in an area of substantial or high transmission.
• Monitor your health daily and stay home if you are experiencing any symptoms.
• Get tested if you are experiencing symptoms and self-isolate until you get your results back. If you test positive for Covid, you are to isolate for 10 days.

“The best way to protect yourself from Covid-19 or health complications from Covid-19 is to get vaccinated,” Pettit said. “Now is the best time to take advantage of getting vaccinated for Covid-19 before the new school term starts and the weather changes and we start moving back indoors.”

The number of people getting first dose in vaccine in past week includes 230 in Orleans for 18,427 total receiving vaccines out of 40,612 residents (45.4 percent), and 265 in Genesee for 29,132 total out of 57,511 residents (50.7 percent).

In Orleans the 230 was up from the number in the previous two weeks.

• Week ending Aug. 9: 230 in Orleans, 265 in Genesee
• Week ending Aug. 2: 166 in Orleans, 330 in Genesee
• Week ending July 26: 92 in Orleans, 142 in Genesee