CDC puts Orleans in ‘red’ zone with high Covid community transmission

This map from the CDC shows the levels of transmission for each of the counties in the state. Red means there is high transmission, while orange (the next level down) shows substantial transmission and yellow means moderate community spread of Covid-19.

The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now lists Orleans County in the red zone as a community with high transmission.

In Western New York, only Orleans and Monroe counties are in the red zones. Genesee is listed in the orange zone, the next level down, with “substantial” community transmission based on new cases last week.

Wyoming and Livingston counties are at moderate levels or the yellow zone. The CDC map shows nearly the entire state is in either a red or orange zone.

The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments today are reporting 19 new cases in Orleans since Thursday and 27 more in Genesee County.

The number of active cases in each county has increased 26 a week ago in Orleans to 48 today, and 21 in Genesee a week ago to 33 today.

Of the 19 new cases in Orleans, the individuals are in the age groups of 0-19, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s and 70s.

Orleans also is reporting 17 more of the previous positive individuals have completed their 10-day isolation and been removed from mandatory isolation.

There is currently one Orleans County resident hospitalized due to Covid.

In Genesee County there are 27 new positive cases and they are in the age groups of 0-19, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s  and 90s.

Genesee is reporting 16 more of the previous positive individuals have completed their 10-day isolation and have been removed from mandatory isolation.

There are currently two Genesee residents hospitalized due to Covid.

Genesee also reports a death from Covid

The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments also is reporting a death of a Genesee County resident under age 65 due to Covid.

“No other information will be shared to protect the privacy of this individual,” the Health Departments said. “Our deepest sympathy to the family and friends of this person.”

According to the State Department of Health, there have been 124 Covid-related deaths in Genesee County and 83 in Orleans during the pandemic.

G-O Health Departments urge people to get vaccinated; No mask mandate in either county

The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments issued a news release this afternoon about the community Covid spread:

“We continue to encourage everyone to follow the public health prevention precautions as noted below. It is important for those who are not currently vaccinated to talk with their primary care provider to determine whether getting vaccinated is right for them.

“There are currently no masking mandates that have been issued by either county, however, per the CDC recommendations for communities with substantial or high spread of Covid-19, we encourage everyone, vaccinated and unvaccinated, to wear masks when indoors in public and when at crowded outdoor settings.

“Everyone should 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 and crowded outdoor settings.
• 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,” stated Paul Pettit, public health director in the two counties. “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.”

Home testing kits: For those who are using home testing kits, please note that the Health Departments are unable to verify the results and will not be able to provide paperwork for your employer/insurance company.

Home tests that need verification will have to complete a follow-up test with an approved provider for documentation and state reporting purposes. If you do either a home test or a test at approved provider, it is important to remember to self-isolate until you receive test results. For home testing, you are to self-isolate for a minimum of 10 days from onset of symptoms or getting your test result.  Contact your primary care physician for further instructions.