Covid cases double in Orleans in past month

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 8 February 2023 at 2:38 pm

Chart from the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments.

The number of confirmed Covid cases has doubled in Orleans County in the past month. The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments reports today there were 96 confirmed Covid cases during the week from Feb. 1-7. That compares to 45 on Dec. 28-Jan. 3, 52 on Jan. 4-10, and 41 on Jan. 11-17.

The cases have been trending up in Orleans with 72 from Jan. 18-24 and 84 from Jan. 25-31.

In Genesee County the cases are showing a slight decline from late December and early January. The 67 in the past week compares to 72 from Dec. 28 to Jan. 3, 83 from Jan. 4-10, 73 from Jan. 11-17, 60 from Jan. 18-24 and 61 from Jan. 25-31.

Both counties currently are listed at the medium community level by the federal CDC.

The seven-day average for positive tests statewide was at 5.29 percent on Tuesday. Orleans and Genesee are part of the nine-county Finger Lakes Region where the positivity rate is at 6.50 percent. Western New York has the highest rate at 12.48 percent while Long Island is the lowest at 4.02 percent.

Gov. Kathy Hochul urges people to take basic steps to protect against the spread of viral respiratory infections that are more common in the winter season.

“I urge all New Yorkers to remain vigilant and continue to use all available tools to keep themselves, their loved ones and their communities safe and healthy,” Hochul said. “Be sure to stay up to date on vaccine doses, and test before gatherings or travel. If you test positive, talk to your doctor about potential treatment options.”