Genesee and Orleans report 44 more Covid cases in 2 counties, 3 more deaths

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 8 December 2020 at 4:40 pm

Genesee and Orleans counties are reporting 44 new confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the two counties today. Genesee also is reporting two deaths from Covid, and Orleans also had a resident die from a Covid-related illness.

In Orleans County, there are 23 new positive cases, bringing the total to 741 positive cases since March.

The new positive cases reside in Albion, Barre, Clarendon, Gaines, Kendall, Murray, Ridgeway, Shelby and Yates. The individuals are in the age groups of 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s and 70s.

Two of the individuals were on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive, the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments said in an afternoon news briefing.

The resident who passed away from a Covid-related illness was community member over the age of 65 who wasn’t in a nursing home. Orleans has now had 59 people die due to Covid.

“We will not be releasing any further information to protect the individual and their family,” the Health Departments said. “Our hearts go out to the family and friends of this community member during this very difficult time.”

The county also reported 20 of the previous positive individuals recovered and have been removed from the isolation list. Six of the current positive individuals are hospitalized, which is down from nine the previous day.

• Albion Central School reported today that two elementary school staff members tested positive for Covid-19. Contact tracing and the quarantine of students and staff members was implemented according to Health Department guidelines, the district stated on its website.

• Lyndonville Central School was notified today that a staff member tested positive for Covid-19. The staff member was last on campus on Friday, Dec. 3. No students or staff need to be quarantined after confirmation from the Orleans County Health Department, the district stated on its website.


In Genesee County, there are 21 new positive cases for a total of 1,237 Covid cases since March.

The new positive cases reside in Batavia, Bergen, Bethany, Byron, Elba, LeRoy, Oakfield and Pembroke. The individuals are in the age groups of 0-19, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s and 70s.

The county is reporting 57 of the previous positive individuals have recovered and been removed from the isolation list. Genesee has 17 people hospitalized due to Covid, which is down from 20 the previous day.

The two residents who died due to a Covid-related illness are both community members over the age of 65. They weren’t nursing home residents. Genesee has now had 10 people die this month due to Covid, and 17 during the pandemic.

The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments has a new format for announcing when there is a time when they can’t contact potential close contacts.

The above chart will replace several press releases and will be reported as needed.

“We encourage all businesses to take down names/contact information and time in attendance at their business to assist with contact tracing should someone be positive for Covid-19,” the Health Departments said. “This may eliminate the need for a press alert if we are able to contact potential close contacts.”

For people who were at these establishments at the state times and if symptoms of Covid-19 develop, contact your primary care provider to seek testing immediately and self-isolate until you receive your test results.

Symptoms of COVID-19 include but are not limited to fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, and diarrhea.

• 3-County Data: Click here to see an online map of confirmed cases in the three rural counties of Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming. There are currently 422 active cases in the three counties, with 231 in Genesee, 92 in Orleans and 99 in Wyoming. That is down from the 449 in the three counties on Monday, which was the peak for active cases during the pandemic.

The three-county combined numbers were down even though the active cases are up in Orleans (from 89 to 92) and Wyoming (from 91 to 99). Geneses’s active cases dropped from 269 to 231 since Monday.