18-month program connects leaders in health care and community-based organizations in WNY, CNY

The director of the Orleans County United Way is one of 34 professionals in the Health Leadership Fellows program. These are leaders from health care and community-based organizations throughout western and central New York.

Dean Bellack

Dean Bellack said he is making connections with key foundation and agency leaders as part of the 18-month program.

The group held its opening conference from March 14-16 in Canandaigua. The Fellows meet monthly and develop, in small teams, inter-organizational projects that seek to address a community health need.

They also participate in development sessions focused on personal leadership, results-based leadership, leading change, and communicating as a leader. After graduating, Fellows continue to collaborate and learn together as members of the Fellows Action Network.

Bellack, the United Way executive director the past three years, said he was recommended for the program by some of the foundations he has worked with in his role with the United Way.

He said he is honored to be in a prestigious program with so many leaders across the region, from small counties to organizations based in Buffalo.

“It’s total immersion into the nonprofit world and nonprofit thinking,” Bellack said today. “It’s making connections for us in Orleans County.”

Bellack said the United Way has been successful in securing foundation money for a digital literacy initiative and to hire a grantwriter to assist local organizations and municipalities.

He expects the Health Fellows program will give him stronger relationships that could lead to more funding opportunities for the county.

“This is about making the connections we need,” he said. “It’s connecting to foundations and funders in the community and further outside of Orleans County.”

Since 2005, the Health Leadership Fellows program has worked to build and strengthen a network of collaborative leaders across health-related organizations in WNY and CNY in order to enhance regional capacity for addressing community health issues.

During the 18-month program, Fellows meet monthly and develop, in small teams, inter-organizational projects that seek to address a community health need.

They also participate in development sessions focused on personal leadership, results-based leadership, leading change, and communicating as a leader. After graduating, Fellows continue to collaborate and learn together as members of the Fellows Action Network.

“The tenth cohort of Health Leadership Fellows is an inspiring group of change-makers,” said Nora OBrien-Suric, PhD, President, the Health Foundation. “The pandemic has reinforced how critically important it is for health care leaders to break down silos and partner to meet the community’s needs more effectively. Cohort 10 will join the proud tradition of Fellows graduates who work together to make a real, lasting impact for the people we serve.”

The number of confirmed Covid cases increased in Orleans County from 13 during the week of March 9-15 to 25 from March 16-22.

That is still significantly less from the Covid surge in early January when there were 855 cases from Jan. 5-11.

In the past eight weeks in Orleans the cases have dropped from 255 from Jan. 26 to Feb. 1, 157 from Feb. 2-8, 84 from Feb. 9-15, 41 from Feb. 16-22, 29 on Feb. 23 to March 1, 15 from March 2-8, 13 from March 9-15, and 25 from March 16-22.

In Genesee County the number of new confirmed cases from March 16-22 was 23, which was down from 38 the previous seven days, according to an update from the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments.

Neither county reported a new Covid-related death the past week and Genesee remains at 184 and Orleans at 113 during the pandemic the past two years.

Statewide the percent of positive tests on Wednesday was 2.13 percent or 3,450 out of 162,273, Gov. Kathy Hochul said.

She said daily hospitalizations were at 911, the seventh straight day under 1,000.

Photo by Ginny Kropf: Elizabeth “Liz” Gurnsey sits at her desk at the Albion Healthcare Center, where she is a nurse practitioner. Gurnsey grew up just down the road and returned to her home town to serve the community.

ALBION – Becoming a nurse practitioner is a dream job for Elizabeth “Liz” Gurnsey, but being able to practice in her home town is icing on the cake.

Gurnsey has been added to the staff of Orleans Community Health’s Albion Healthcare Center, the clinic located just a short distance from where she grew up on Butts Road.

She was born in Rochester, and when she was 10 her parents moved to Albion to be in a rural setting. After graduating from Albion High School in 2006, she enrolled in Oswego State College, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in biology.

“I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do with it, so I worked at Tim Hortons and CRFS for a while,” Gurnsey said. “When a friend told me about an accelerated nursing program at the University of Rochester, I applied.”

She finished the one-year program with another bachelor’s degree in 2013 and landed a job at Strong Memorial Hospital. She spent eight years there as a registered nurse, when she decided she wanted to do more.

“I really wanted a primary care position serving a small community,” Gurnsey said. “I saw a position posted online but it was filled. I had reached out to the hospital and introduced myself as a nurse practitioner looking to work back into the area. A month later I saw this job posted and set up an interview with Nicole.”

Nichole Helson is administrator of the Albion Healthcare Center and couldn’t be happier to have Gurnsey on staff.

Gurnsey said she is thrilled to be serving her home town community.

“These are my people,” she said.

Gurnsey is married to Brandon Gurnsey, a friend from high school who she started dating after they graduated. They were married and moved to Barre in 2015.

Gurnsey is passionate about her profession and encourages people not to hesitate to come to a nurse practitioner if they are looking for a primary care doctor.  She said her goal is to promote health maintenance and encourage patients to get early detection.

“I’m open minded and a good listener,” she said. “I allow my patients to be part of their health care. If a patient doesn’t want to do what I recommend, I respect that.”

She explained a nurse practitioner can treat and manage chronic disease.

“If someone comes in with something more complicated, we have a provider on site, Dr. Syed Raza,” Gurnsey said. “We work together and collaborate.”

“If anyone is looking for a primary care provider in general, they are not going to lose anything by seeing a nurse practitioner,” said Scott Robinson, director of marketing, communication and outreach at Orleans Community Health’s Community Partners.

Gurnsey added she is very down to earth and doesn’t use a lot of medical jargon.

“These are my family, my friends and my neighbors, and I’m so happy I landed here,” she said.

The Albion Healthcare Center is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Gurnsey is on site Monday through Thursday. The facility originally started as a walk-in clinic, then expanded to primary care, including walk-ins, Robinson said.

The site offers lab work, X-ray, physical therapy and primary care, as a walk-in or by appointment. The number for appointments is (585) 589-2273.

Provided photo: Medina Memorial Hospital welcomes the public to free Covid-19 tests.

MEDINA – Medina Memorial Hospital is handing out “I Health” Covid-19 test kits, free to the community.

The hospital is inviting residents to take up to three boxes. There are two tests per box.

The tests are located behind the screener at the receptionist’s desk in the lobby.

“We want to make sure people get the tests if they need them,” said Scott Robinson, director of Communication, Marketing and Education at Community Partners.

The hospital currently has about 500 kits, and is expecting to have more shortly.

Tests going to nursing homes, adult care facilities, schools, senior centers, food banks and other sites in communities

Press Release, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Office

ALBANY – Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that more than 20 million Covid-19 over-the-counter tests will be distributed across the state through the spring to bolster New York State’s ongoing preparedness efforts.

“As we’ve seen throughout the pandemic, test kits are a critical tool in the fight to stop the spread of Covid-19 and prevent exposure to others,” Hochul said. “While our numbers remain low, now is the time to ramp up the distribution of tests and build up our stockpile so we can bolster our preparedness for the future to protect our communities, and safely move forward through this pandemic.”

The state will continue to provide over-the-counter test kits to nursing homes, adult care facilities, and schools, and will partner with elected officials for continued distribution to the public, during the next few months to identify new Covid-19 cases and keep New Yorkers safe.

This includes one million tests to schools outside of New York City every other week until the end of the school year. New York City no longer receives state distributions because they have sufficient test kits to get them through the year. At home tests have proven to be an invaluable tool for identifying cases and protecting our communities; they were responsible for finding at least 15,000 positive cases among students and staff the week after the winter break alone.

In addition to these continued distributions, the state is increasing distribution points for test kits. The State will partner with Mayors, County Executives, Members of Congress, Borough Presidents and State Legislators across New York to increase access to tests for the general public.

And the State will coordinate distribution of 1.74 million tests to the NYC Housing Authority tenants, enough for each household to receive four tests. An additional 500,000 tests will be made available to various food banks and senior centers throughout the state, based on request.

More than 54 million tests have already been distributed throughout New York since the beginning of the year, including nearly 30 million tests to schools, 12.5 million tests to nursing homes and adult-care facilities, and more than 10 million tests to local officials for public distribution in their respective communities. The distribution efforts follow the procurement of more than 90 million rapid tests in recent months.

NYS Association of Counties Executive Director Stephen J. Acquario said, “Expanding access to over-the-counter test kits is a key part of our strategy to return to normalcy during the Covid-19 era. While getting vaccinated is still the best way to protect against Covid-19, testing is another important tool to prevent the spread of infection so we can safely return to work, school, and social activities. We commend Governor Hochul for continuing to lead New York State through this new phase of the pandemic and providing our residents with the tools they need to keep themselves and their communities safe.”

Chart from Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments

The number of new confirmed Covid cases continues to go down in Genesee and Orleans counties, even as mask mandates are lifted in schools and most other indoor public places.

There were 40 new cases reported in the past week, March 2-8, which was down from 74 the previous week in the two counties. That was down from 112 from Feb. 16-22, and 216 from Feb. 9-15.

The recent caseloads are a steep drop from the Covid peak in early January when there 2,703 cases in the two counties from Jan. 5-11.

The 40 new cases the past week include 15 in Orleans and 25 in Genesee. In the past six weeks in Orleans the cases have dropped from 255 from Jan. 26 to Feb. 1, 157 from Feb. 2-8, 84 from Feb. 9-15, 41 from Feb. 16-22, 29 on Feb. 23 to March 1, and 15 from March 2-8.

The local health department is reporting a Genesee County resident passed away from Covid in the past week. That brings the total Covid-related deaths during the two years of the pandemic to 184 in Genesee and 112 in Orleans.

Statewide, Gov. Kathy Hochul reported today there were 1,060 new Covid cases out of 67,714 tests, for a positivity of 1.57 percent. That is the 12^th straight day the state is under 2 percent for positive tests.The 7-day average of positive tests is at 1.51 percent.

“Thanks to New Yorkers stepping up, we continue to see numbers trending in the right direction,” Hochul said. “But we must remain vigilant in order to continue the progress we have made against Covid-19. Parents and guardians, please talk to your pediatrician or health care provider about getting your children vaccinated and boosted. The vaccine is safe, effective and the best way to keep our communities safe from this virus.”

Map from CDC

Orleans County and the other Western New York counties have dropped from medium to low levels of community spread for Covid, according to the latest data from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The number of new Covid cases has taken a big drop, and hospitalizations also are down.

The CDC determines the community Covid levels by these data points:

• New Covid cases per 100,000 population (7-day total) are calculated using data from February 24-March 2, 2022
• New Covid admissions per 100,000 population (7-day total) are calculated using data from February 23-March 1, 2022
• Percent of inpatient beds occupied by COVID-19 patients (7-day average) is calculated using data from February 23-March 1, 2022

The Covid cases in Genesee and Orleans counties fell to 74 from Feb. 23 to March 1, with 29 new cases in Orleans and 45 in Genesee. That continues the sharp downward trajectory from the Covid peak in early January when there 2,703 cases in the two counties from Jan. 5-11.

The 74 in the recent week are down from the 112 new cases in the two counties the previous week and the 216 during Feb. 9-15, according to the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments.

In the most recent update from the state, Orleans didn’t have any new cases on Thursday and Genesee only had 4.

The CDC issued guidance for indoor mask-wearing in opublic places based on the three Covid levels of community spread:

• Low: Masks are not needed
• Medium: People who are at high risk of severe Covid should consult with their doctor about prevention measures, including masks
• High: Indoor mask use is recommended

Orleans and Genesee each report a death in past week from Covid

The Covid cases in Genesee and Orleans counties fell to 74 in the past week, from Feb. 23 to March 1, with 29 new cases in Orleans and 45 in Genesee.

That continues the sharp downward trajectory from the Covid peak in early January when there 2,703 cases in the two counties from Jan. 5-11.

The 74 in the past week is down from the 112 new cases in the two counties the previous week and the 216 during Feb. 9-15.

Both Orleans and Genesee are each reporting a death in the past week from Covid and Genesee is now at 183 and Orleans at 112 in Covid-related deaths since the pandemic started two years ago, the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments reported.

Statewide the 7-day positivity for Covid tests is below 2 percent (1.84 percent) for the past 7 days and was at 1.64 percent on Tuesday.

The state also is at the lowest hospitalizations since Nov. 10.

“New York State has made great strides in our fight against Covid as hospitalizations and case rates continue to fall,” Governor Kathy Hochul said. “However, we need to remain vigilant, and by doing the right thing we can keep our friends and families safe and healthy. Vaccines are our best defense against serious illness from Covid-19, and I encourage all New Yorkers to get vaccinated and boosted as soon as you can, and to get your children vaccinated if they are eligible.”

Press Release, Health Departments in Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties

The Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming (GOW) County Health Departments and hospitals are currently working with community partners to gather information from residents and those who work in these counties to help with public health planning for the next three years.

The information will help inform and guide documents called the Community Health Assessment (CHA), Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP), and Community Services Plan (CSP).

This initiative is part of the New York State Prevention Agenda, the state’s health improvement plan, which is a blueprint for state and local action to improve the health and well-being of New Yorkers.

The 2019-2024 NYS Prevention Agenda Priority Areas are to Prevent Chronic Diseases; Promote a Healthy and Safe Environment; Promote Healthy Women, Infants and Children; Promote Well-Being and Prevent Mental and Substance Use Disorders; and Prevent Communicable Disease. In the 2019-2022 GOW Community Health Improvement Plan, the community survey and community conversations helped inform some of the public health initiatives that the local health departments and hospitals focused on, which were:

• Promote Well-Being and Prevent Mental and Substance Use Disorders – with a focus on preventing opioid overdose deaths
• Prevent Chronic Disease – by promoting tobacco use cessation and increasing cancer screening rates. In the community setting, that effort included improving self-management skills for individuals with chronic diseases, including asthma, arthritis, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, prediabetes and obesity.

Now, we are looking for community input to help inform the next Community Health Improvement Plan and to fully assess the health status of our communities. We are asking the public to participate by taking a survey and sharing their viewpoints during community conversations. An online survey is available and paper copies will be available at various locations throughout each county. You can access the survey by visiting the following links (In English) and (In Spanish).

The survey is anonymous, only takes about 15 minutes to complete and focuses on the health of the person taking it. If you are under the age of 18 years old, be sure to receive permission to take the survey from your parent(s) or guardian(s).

“As chief health strategists, the health departments are working toward identifying major community health challenges, gaps in services, and other factors that may contribute to a less than optimal health status for our community residents,” stated Paul Pettit, Public Health Director for Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments (GO Health). “The input from our residents will help identify community health needs, which will ultimately help us to develop our Community Health Improvement Plan for the next few years.”

The health departments are also seeking to schedule Community Conversations with willing groups to learn what they feel are the greatest health concerns or issues in their community and thoughts on how they can be improved.

“This process offers an opportunity for our community members to have a voice about the barriers and issues they face when trying to be healthy,” stated Laura Paolucci Wyoming County Health Department Public Health Administrator. “The more members of the community who participate, the more inclusive and stronger these plans will be.”

To participate in a community conversation, obtain hardcopies of the survey, obtain flyers that promote completing the survey online, or have any questions, please contact your local health department:

• Genesee County Health Department at: 585-344-2580 ext.5555, visit their website (click here).
• Orleans County Health Department at: 585-589-3278, visit their website (click here).
• Wyoming County Health Department at: 585-786-8890, visit their website (click here).

‘Masking will be optional and we will continue to work with school districts in both counties to monitor Covid-19 transmission rates and respond to clusters and other issues that may arise to keep students safe and in school.’ – Paul Pettit

Press Release, Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments

Due to the recent decline in Covid-19 hospitalizations, cases and an increase in vaccination rates across New York State, the statewide masking requirement for K-12 students and children 2 years and older in childcare settings will be lifted effective Wednesday, March 2nd. Additionally, masks will no longer be required on school buses. Counties and cities with higher transmission rates will have the authority to require masks in schools. Parents/guardians may still choose to send their children to schools in masks.

“We are very happy that New York State has lifted the mask mandate in schools and childcare settings and that local officials will have the authority to make decisions regarding mask mandates,” stated Lynne Johnson, chairwoman of the Orleans County Legislature. “We have previously said that Orleans County would not continue that mandate if the decision were left to us. We continue to hold that view and want to be clear that Orleans County will not be implementing any local mask mandate for our schools”.

According to the updated metrics released by the CDC regarding community transmission levels, Genesee and Orleans counties have fallen into the “Medium” category based on the CDC data.

‘We encourage residents to respect others personal choice and discourage mask shaming in our community.’ – Rochelle Stein

“The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments will not require masks in schools,” stated Paul Pettit, public health director for Genesee and Orleans counties. “Masking will be optional and we will continue to work with school districts in both counties to monitor Covid-19 transmission rates and respond to clusters and other issues that may arise to keep students safe and in school.”

At this time, masking requirements are still in effect in state-regulated healthcare settings; homeless shelters; state-regulated adult care facilities and nursing homes; correctional facilities; domestic violence centers; buses and bus stations; trains and train stations; subways and subway stations; planes and airports. People who have had symptoms of Covid-19 are still required to wear well-fitted masks in public for five additional days (day 6 through 10) after the end of the 5-day isolation period.

“We encourage residents to make the best choice for their children, themselves and their personal level of risk as to whether or not they wear masks in public places including schools,” Pettit said. “We continue to encourage residents to get vaccinated, boosted and stay up to date on their vaccines.”

“Some residents will choose to continue to wear masks in public places for their own safety,” stated Rochelle Stein, chairwoman of the Genesee County Legislature. “We encourage residents to respect others personal choice and discourage mask shaming in our community. We also encourage our residents to continue focusing on personal good health practices. Masking provides another important layer of protection from Covid-19.”

Press Release, Oak Orchard Health

BROCKPORT/ALBION – How do you know your health center has used its funding best when it comes to overcoming the challenges related to Covid-19 testing and vaccination?

Mary Ann Pettibon

Your CEO gets selected by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to speak at a national conference. Mary Ann Pettibon, CEO of Oak Orchard Health, was one of three CEOs featured at this event. Her topic focused on how Oak Orchard Health used the American Rescue Plan funding to keep the community healthy during the pandemic.

At Oak Orchard Health, the pandemic had a big impact on patients, staff and community health centers in general. In March 2020, patient visits were down 60% that first month and of those visits, 72% were telephone encounters. We also had to shut down our dental and vision departments unless there was an emergency. All our departments (medical, dental, behavioral health, and vision) are now operating at full capacity, and we continue to be very busy.

As part of the OOH mission, we serve everyone including migrant and seasonal farmworkers and there were many barriers to getting health services to them. Naturally, the newly arriving farmworkers lacked knowledge of Covid as well as a shortage of protective supplies such as masks. Farmworkers in rural areas lack internet access and computer equipment. This made education and communication that much more difficult.

There were many other barriers that Oak Orchard faced and continues to confront. If you’d like to hear the presentation in its entirety, click here.

Oak Orchard Health

Originally founded in 1973, Oak Orchard has grown from a migrant health project into an integrated health center with multiple locations providing health care services for everyone located in the communities we serve. Currently serving over 23,000 patients at eleven locations, Oak Orchard Health is a recognized patient-centered medical home and 501(c) nonprofit Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) located in the towns of Albion, Alexander, Batavia, Brockport, Corfu, Hornell, Lyndonville and Warsaw.

Orleans Community Health looks to expand services, replace IV pumps

MEDINA – The board of Orleans Community Health Foundation Board has welcomed four new members, effective Jan. 1, according to Foundation director Heather Smith.

Those who attended their first meeting Feb. 10 are Nicole Goyette of Medina, assistant principal of O/N BOCES; Scott Robinson of Medina, Director of Marketing and Outreach at OCH; Matthew Kennedy of Middleport, realtor; and Gloria Brent of Medina, local business entrepreneur and owner of MDS Consultants.

During 2020 other new members of the board included Clark Godshall of Barker, superintendent of Orleans/Niagara BOCES; Marguerite Sherman of Medina, retired special education teacher at Medina Central School and a member of the Medina Village Board; Barbara Jantzi of Medina, retired business owner and former board member.

These new members have joined the existing board, which includes Jeanne Crane of Albion, Orleans Community Health Foundation and Twigs Auxiliary president; Sandra Walter of Albion, OCHF vice president; Cindy Hewitt of Medina, OCHF treasurer; Joyce Riley of Albion, OCHF secretary; Shannon Blount of Medina, chair of OCH governing board; Marc Shurtz of Lockport, CEO and president of OCH; Ruth Bane of Lyndonville; Carol Heiligenthaler of Medina; Roland Howell of Medina; Lance Mark of Medina; Dawn Meland of Medina; Agnes Recco of Lyndonville; Joyce Riley of Albion.

At the board’s first meeting of 2022 on Feb. 10, Shurtz, the CEO and president of Orleans Community Health, presented several new projects to the board, one of which is replacing all of the hospital’s IV pumps. A fundraiser and proceeds of several events this year, including the golf outing, Treasure Island and Mega Drawing, will go to that effort, Smith said.

Smith said IV units have a life cycle, and the current ones were donated by Sigma in 2011, the company that made them at the time. She said they will be putting out bids for 60 new pumps.

The hospital continues to expand its services and equipment to serve the local community, Smith said. Last year they raised funds to help replace the stress test equipment in cardiac services, funded two projects in radiology – the device in the ceiling which helps maneuver X-ray equipment and a new probe for ultrasound tests.

In addition, the Association of Twigs purchased a new oven for the kitchen, and through a donation from the Lyndonville Area Foundation, the hospital was able to purchase new coagulation equipment for the main lab. They also installed new countertops and chairs in the outpatient lab and purchased a new radiology calibration device for their nuclear testing unit.

Hospital personnel continue to stress they are here for the community and offer the latest, state-of-the-art equipment available in the industry.

“The transition we are going through now is exciting,” Smith said. “It should be encouraging to the community to know we are expanding our services.”

A lot of their other new systems were new in the last couple of years, Smith said.  They also recently announced that Dr. Joseph Misiti has moved his surgical practice into the hospital and added several new professionals, including a surgeon and physician assistant.

“We continue to improve by trying to bring back the right services to meet the needs of the community,” Smith said. “We are constantly trying to meet the needs of the community, by acquiring those needed services and finding the right people to partner with. Orleans Community Health is looking at several exciting projects that will ensure our sustainability for years to come.”

New guidance says no masks recommended for healthy people in counties with low and moderate community spread

Photo by Tom Rivers: Hoag Library in Albion had this sign posted at the library on Monday, saying library users need to wear masks when inside the building.

The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued new guidance on mask wearing today, saying healthy people don’t need to wear them at public indoor places in areas of low to moderate community spread of Covid-19.

Orleans County currently has moderate spread, according to the CDC. The CDC said unvaccinated people in Orleans County should still wear a mask in public, indoor settings.

Gov. Kathy Hochul said she and state officials are reviewing the announcement from the CDC. Hochul issued this statement this evening:

“We are evaluating the CDC’s new guidance, and we will update New Yorkers on potential changes as we work through the details and coordinate with all stakeholders in our school communities across our state.

“I want to thank the 75 percent of all New Yorkers who have stepped up to get fully vaccinated,” she said. “I know these past two years have been difficult, but because New Yorkers are doing the right thing to keep each other safe, our state this week had the highest share among large states of fully vaccinated individuals. New York also leads large states in fully vaccinated 12-17 year-olds, and second among large states in fully vaccinated 5-8 year-olds.”

The CDC’s guidance states people in communities with high or substantial Covid transmission should wear masks indoors. That represents 28 percent of the population based on the current data in counties. The metrics are based on three pieces of data in a community: new Covid hospitalizations, hospital capacity and new Covid cases.

The CDC recommends people in counties with moderate Covid community spread continue indoor masking if they are at increased risk for Covid. The CDC urges those people to talk with their medical provider about wearing a mask.

The CDC said there is no recommendation for wearing a mask indoors in counties with low community spread.

‘It affects the lives of tens of millions, and thanks in part to the pandemic, has only gotten worse.’

MEDINA – Orleans Community Health has recognized this past week as National Eating Disorder Awareness Week to dive deeper into this mental health condition, according to information from Anna O’Keefe, RD, CDN, clinical dietitian at Orleans Community Health.

Anna O’Keefe

“There has never been a time that this topic needs more attention than right now,” O’Keefe said in a press release. “For starters, this not a challenge for one gender, one age group or a single demographic of our society. It affects the lives of tens of millions, and thanks in part to the pandemic, has only gotten worse.”

It is estimates that 30 million Americans have struggled with an eating disorder at some point over their lifetime, said Claire Mysko, CEO of the National Eating Disorders Association. That breaks down to 20 million women and 10 million men.

Mysko shared information from the National Institute of Mental Health stating among teens 13 to 18, 3.8 percent of females and 1.5 percent of males are reported to have an eating disorder.

In addition, the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders says 13 percent of women older than 50 engage in disordered eating behaviors. This statistic doesn’t refer to having an eating disorder necessarily, but instead refers to the number of people who may do things like create certain rules about eating or obsess over being thin.

Sixteen percent of transgender college students are reported to have an eating disorder, according to the ANAD. Although statistics about eating disorders in this population group are not consistent, the NEDA states that bay, lesbian and bisexual teens are thought to be at a higher risk of binge eating and purging.

Eating disorders are classified as a mental health illness that causes constant and extreme food disturbances and are severe in nature. A healthy relationship with food is virtually impossible for those who suffer and it can consume their entire livelihood.

Like many mental health diseases, this does not just impact one aspect of life, but all aspects, including physical, mental and social wellbeing. Eating disorders are serious illnesses, and left untreated can cause detrimental consequences, including death.

O’Keefe added the term “eating disorder” is an umbrella term for many subsets of this disease, including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating.

Eating disorders are diagnosed based on criteria from the “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders,” which are the psychiatry standards used for diagnosing mental health disease. Anorexia Nervosa involves restriction of calories to the point of severe and significant weight loss. Individuals who suffer typically have distorted body image and can have a pathological fear of food and weight gain.

Bulimia Nervosa involves eating a large amount of food within a short amount of time and compensating for this via purging (vomiting), laxatives or excessive exercise. Individuals with this disease can often present as normal body weight.

Binge eating disorder involves reoccurring episodes of eating a large amount of food rapidly, beyond the point of fullness, and typically having no control over these episodes. This is the most common eating disorder in the United States, according to O’Keefe.

This disease does not discriminate and people of all ages, genders and body sizes are at risk to some degree.

More information on signs to be aware of, how to be supportive and treatment can be provided by one’s healthcare professional. O’Keefe added that recovery is possible.

New Covid cases in Orleans and Genesee counties continue a sharp decline from the Omicron surge in January when the two counties experienced a pandemic peak in new cases.

The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments reported there were 41 new cases in Orleans from Feb. 16-Feb. 22 and 71 in Genesee during those seven days.

The 112 new cases in the two counties is down from 216 the previous week and down 95 percent from the pandemic high of 2,703 cases at the peak of the Omicron surge from Jan. 5-11.

Orleans reported one death from Covid last week and now has had 111 residents pass away from Covid  since the pandemic started nearly two years ago. Genesee didn’t report any new deaths from Covid and remains at 182 during the pandemic.

Orleans County, the Covid cases the past 9 weeks include:

• 159 – Dec. 22-28
• 379 – Dec. 29-Jan. 4
• 855 – Jan. 5-11
• 645 – Jan. 12-18
• 521 – Jan. 19-25
• 255 – Jan. 26-Feb. 1
• 157 – Feb. 2-8
• 84 – Feb. 9-15
• 41 – Feb. 16-22

In Genesee County, the Covid cases the past 9 weeks include:

• 276 – Dec. 22-28
• 383 – Dec. 29-Jan. 4
• 1,848 – Jan. 5-11
• 1,014 – Jan. 12-18
• 847 – Jan. 19-25
• 361 – Jan. 26-Feb. 1
• 198 – Feb. 2-8
• 132 – Feb. 9-15
• 71 – Feb. 16-22

Statewide the positivity rate dropped below 2 percent at 1.90 on Tuesday with 2,456 positive tests out of 129,088 reported. That is the fifth straight day the positivity rate is at 2.5 percent or less.

“Thanks to New Yorkers stepping up and getting vaccinated and boosted, our state is leading the way in beating back this virus and moving forward in the pandemic in a new way,” Governor Hochul said. “The vaccine is a critical tool to stay in front of COVID-19, but we still have more work to do to vaccinate our children. Parents and guardians, I encourage you to take advantage of the school midwinter break and consult with your child’s pediatrician about getting them vaccinated and boosted as soon as possible.”