By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 December 2021 at 5:36 pm
Positivity rate for Covid tests also dips below 10 percent in Orleans
The number of active Covid cases is down below 500 in Genesee and Orleans counties to 458 today, the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments reported this afternoon.
That is down from 534 on Monday and 620 a week ago on Dec. 9.
Orleans County also reached a milestone today with its percent of positive Covid tests falling below 10 percent to 9.8 percent. Genesee is at 11.2 percent, which remains near the top in the state, exceeded only by Allegany at 11.4 percent, Oswego at 11.6 percent, and Lewis at 12.8 percent. The state-wide rate is 5.1 percent in the past seven days.
Since Monday Orleans has 95 new positive cases, and 116 more recoveries or people who completed their 10-day isolation and have been removed from mandatory isolation.
Orleans currently has 12 people hospitalized due to Covid. The Health Department said there is another death of a community member from Covid, a person over 65. That is the 100thCovid death from Covid in the county since the pandemic started in March 2020. Last year there were 62 deaths and this year there are 38 so far.
Genesee is reporting 159 new positive cases and 197 more recoveries. The county also has 33 people hospitalized due to Covid and has had two more residents die from Covid, one under 65 and one older than 65. Genesee has now had 151 die during the pandemic.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 December 2021 at 8:51 am
State DOH puts Covid deaths at 100 in Orleans, 150 in Genesee
The number of active Covid cases declined in both Orleans and Genesee counties in the latest update from the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments.
In Orleans, the active cases are down from a pandemic high of 334 on Thursday to 273 on Monday. In Genesee, the cases declined from 286 to 261 in the four days.
The counties each have three more Covid deaths since Thursday and Orleans has now had 100 residents pass away from Covid during the pandemic and Genesee is at 150 deaths from Covid, according to the state Department of Health.
In Orleans County the active cases declined since Thursday with 99 new Covid cases and 158 recoveries or previous positive individuals who completed their 10-day isolation and have been removed from mandatory isolation.
The new cases since Thursday put Orleans past 6,000 cases since March 2020. The county is now at 6,061 total cases.
The new cases include individuals in the age groups of 0-19, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s.
Genesee is reporting 210 new positive cases since Thursday and 229 recoveries. The county has passed 9,000 cases during the pandemic – now at 9,199 total cases.
The new cases are individuals in the age groups of 0-19, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s.
Genesee’s hospitalizations due to Covid is up from 35 to 37 since Thursday while Orleans remains at 13.
The seven-day positivity rate for Covid tests in the two counties also is down slightly. Genesee is currently at 11.0 percent and Orleans at 10.5 over the previous seven days compared to 12.5 percent for Genesee and 12.2 percent for Orleans for the seven-day average on Thursday. The current state-wide positivity rate for seven days is 4.6 percent.
Genesee, Orleans officials say public health resources focused on vaccinations, testing
Joint statement from Rochelle M. Stein, Chair, Genesee County Legislature; Lynne M. Johnson, Chair, Orleans County Legislature; John C. Welch Jr., Orleans County Chief Administrative Officer, L. Matthew Landers, Genesee County Manager and Paul A. Pettit, Genesee and Orleans Counties Public Health Director
Due to the current Covid-19 surge, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced on Friday that starting Monday, December 13, through January 15, 2022, that masks will be required in all public places unless businesses or venues implement a vaccine requirement.
However, Governor Hochul did not clearly state how enforcement of the mask mandate will occur.
“The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments (GO Health) will continue to focus our efforts on offering free vaccination and testing clinics as well as conducting case investigations,” said Paul Pettit, Genesee and Orleans Public Health Director. “We do not have the capacity to enforce mask mandates and enforcing mandates is not the best use of our limited resources at this point of the pandemic response. As we have throughout the pandemic in line with CDC guidance, we continue to advise residents to properly wear masks indoors when social/physical distancing is not possible.”
“As we did during the last surge, Genesee County will take the approach with our community to Educate to Cooperate in regards to the benefits of masking and social distancing,” stated Rochelle Stein, Genesee County Legislature Chair.
“In Orleans County, we will continue to focus our county resources on vaccinations, contact tracing, testing and working to keep children in school,” said Lynne Johnson, Orleans County Legislature Chair. “We held two clinics this week, one for testing and one for booster shots. We continue to seek more testing resources from the state, because we believe identifying and isolating those who test positive is the greatest need right now to reduce the spread.”
To reduce the spread in our communities, we need to increase vaccination rates and increase testing in order to identify and isolate those who are positive with Covid-19. However, rural county health departments continue to have issues securing additional testing resources. GO Health and local officials continue to advocate for additional resources and assistance from the state in order to have free testing in our communities.
Genesee and Orleans County Public and Health officials encourage those who have not been vaccinated or have not received their booster shot, to do so as soon as possible. Booster shots have just been approved for 16 and 17-year-olds, six months after their last shot. Visit gohealthny.org/covid-19-vaccine-information or www.vaccine.gov to make an appointment.
Businesses need to require masks or have vaccine requirement through Jan. 15
Press Release, Gov. Kathy Hochul
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced masks will be required to be worn in all indoor public places unless businesses or venues implement a vaccine requirement.
Gov. Kathy Hochul
This a major action to address the winter surge comes as Covid-19 cases and hospitalizations rise statewide to be in alignment with the CDC’s recommendations for communities with substantial and high transmission. The State Health Commissioner issued a determination solidifying the requirement.
This determination is based on the State’s weekly seven-day case rate as well as increasing hospitalizations. The new business and venue requirements extend to both patrons and staff. This measure is effective Dec. 13 until Jan. 15, 2022, after which the State will re-evaluate based on current conditions. The new measure brings added layers of mitigation during the holidays when more time is spent indoors shopping, gathering, and visiting holiday-themed destinations.
“As Governor, my two top priorities are to protect the health of New Yorkers and to protect the health of our economy,” Hochul said. “The temporary measures I am taking today will help accomplish this through the holiday season. We shouldn’t have reached the point where we are confronted with a winter surge, especially with the vaccine at our disposal, and I share many New Yorkers’ frustration that we are not past this pandemic yet.”
Since Thanksgiving, the statewide seven-day average case rate has increased by 43% and hospitalizations have increased by 29%. While the percentage of New Yorkers fully vaccinated continues to increase—gaining 2% from Thanksgiving weekend to now—the uptick is not fast enough to completely curb the spread of the virus, particularly among communities with low vaccination coverage.
“I have warned for weeks that additional steps could be necessary, and now we are at that point based upon three metrics: Increasing cases, reduced hospital capacity, and insufficient vaccination rates in certain areas,” Hochul said.
A violation of any provision of this measure is subject to all civil and criminal penalties, including a maximum fine of $1,000 for each violation. Local health departments are being asked to enforce these requirements.
Business/Venue Proof of Full-Course Vaccination Requirement
Businesses and venues who implement a proof of vaccination requirement can accept Excelsior Pass, Excelsior Pass Plus, SMART Health Cards issued outside of New York State, or a CDC Vaccination Card.
In accordance with CDC’s definition of fully vaccinated, full-course vaccination is defined as 14 days past an individual’s last vaccination dose in their initial vaccine series (14 days past the second shot of a two-dose Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccine; 14 days past the one-shot Janssen/Johnson & Johnson vaccine).
The State also accepts WHO-approved vaccines for these purposes. Parents and guardians can retrieve and store an Excelsior Pass and/or Excelsior Pass Plus for children or minors under legal guardianship.
Business/Venue Mask-Wearing Requirement
Businesses and venues that implement a mask requirement must ensure all patrons two years and older wear a mask at all times while indoors.
Continued Masking Requirements
Unvaccinated individuals continue to be responsible for wearing masks, in accordance with federal CDC guidance. Further, the State’s masking requirements continue to be in effect for pre-K to grade 12 schools, public transit, homeless shelters, correctional facilities, nursing homes, and health care settings per CDC guidelines.
New York State and the State’s Department of Health continue to strongly recommend mask-wearing in all public indoor settings as an added layer of protection, even when not required. Children 2 to 5 who remain ineligible for vaccination must wear a proper-fitting mask.
Covid-19 vaccines and booster doses are free and widely available statewide. New Yorkers can visit vaccines.gov, text their ZIP code to 438829, or call 1-800-232-0233 to find nearby locations.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 December 2021 at 4:55 pm
Orleans has most cases in state per 100,000 people
The number of active Covid cases in Orleans County set a new pandemic high today with 334. That is up from the previous mark of 329 on Monday.
Orleans County is reporting 128 more cases in the past three days, and 123 recoveries or people who completed their 10-day isolation and have been removed from mandatory isolation.
Orleans leads the state with the most daily cases per 100,000 people on a 7-day average at 106.2. That is more than twice the state average of 49.0.
Steuben is second at 105.6 with Genesee at third highest with 105.3. There are 62 counties statewide. Others with more than 100 cases daily per 100,000 people on a seven-day average include Herkimer at 102.6, Delaware at 102.0, and Washington at 101.5.
The positivity rate in the state over 7 days is 4.8 percent. Allegany County currently has the highest positivity rate at 13.4 percent over 7 days, with Genesee second highest at 12.5 percent. Two counties are at 12.4 percent — Lewis and Chautauqua – and Orleans is fifth highest at 12.2 percent.
The active cases also are up in Genesee with 286 today compared to 226 on Monday. Genesee has 197 more cases in three days, compared to 131 more recoveries.The combined caseload of 620 in Orleans and Genesee trails the pandemic high of 633 on Nov. 22.
Genesee also suffered the loss of two more residents, both over 65, bringing the total deaths during the pandemic due to Covid to 147.
Genesee currently has 35 residents hospitalized from Covid and Orleans has 13 in the hospital.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 6 December 2021 at 7:04 pm
Genesee second highest in NY with highest Covid positivity rate in past 7 days, while Orleans third highest
Orleans County has 329 active cases of Covid today, the most since the start of the pandemic in March 2020.
The 329 is up from the previous pandemic high of 315 on Thursday, according to data from the Genesee and Orleans County health Departments.
The county has 151 new confirmed cases since Thursday, and 135 more recoveries or people who completed their 10-day isolation and have been removed from mandatory isolation.
Orleans currently has 14 people hospitalized due to Covid, which is down from 17 on Thursday. The county is reporting another death from Covid, a person over age 65. That brings the total to 97 in Orleans County who have passed away due to Covid during the pandemic.
The number of active cases in Genesee County dropped from 243 on Thursday to 226 today, even though the county has 236 new confirmed cases in the past four days. The county also is reporting 250 more recoveries.
Genesee has 35 people hospitalized due to Covid, down from 39 on Thursday. The county is also reporting two more death due to Covid, a person under age 65 and one over 65. That brings the total deaths from Covid in Genesee to 146.
Genesee County also the second highest Covid positivity rate in the state over 7 days. Genesee’s rate is at 14.0 percent, about three times the state rate of 4.8 percent. Lewis County has the highest positive rate at 14.5 percent and Orleans is third highest at 13.7 percent.
Press Release, Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments
The smell of the evergreen trees, the taste of warm hot cocoa, and the cheerful Christmas songs are some lovely things that bring family and friends together during this festive season. With cold weather moving people indoors, there is also an increased risk of the spread of illnesses such as the flu, also known as influenza. However, there are ways to lower your risk of getting sick with the flu.
National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW) is December 5-11. NIVW is an annual observance in December to remind everyone that there is still time to get vaccinated against the flu to be protected during the upcoming winter and holiday months.
“You can protect you and your family members by getting vaccinated against the flu each year,” said Paul Pettit, Director for Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments. “The vaccine lowers the chance of getting you and those around you sick with the flu. We also encourage those that have not received the Covid-19 vaccine, to get vaccinated as soon as possible ahead of the holidays.”
The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat and sometimes the lungs. Experts say that flu viruses are spread mainly by tiny droplets made when people with the flu cough, sneeze or talk. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby.
The runny nose, sore throat and slow development of symptoms which are common for a cold, are not as common for the flu which tends to appear suddenly and includes a fever, body aches, chills, fatigue, chest discomfort and cough. Although a cold can be a bother, you usually feel much worse with the flu and sometimes influenza’s complications could be deadly.
Everyone 6 months or older should get a flu vaccine every year. It’s best to get the flu vaccine early in flu season, ideally by the end of October. That way, the body develops antibodies in two weeks’ time which provides protection from the influenza virus. You might wonder, is it too late to get vaccinated? The simple answer is no.
“Getting the vaccine later is better than not getting it at all,” Pettit said. “Once you have the flu vaccine, research shows that the vaccination reduces the risk of severe illness if you do get the flu.”
Below are the number of reported flu cases for Genesee and Orleans Counties since 2018 according to the New York State Department of Health. You will notice that there was limited flu in 2020-2021 because people were practicing public health precautions such as frequent hand washing, social distancing, limiting social gatherings, wearing face coverings and staying home when ill.
In addition, less germs were spread because people were staying home and limiting their contact with people outside of their household as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Flu seasons are unpredictable every year, so there is a new flu vaccine developed to potentially provide protection for the viruses that are considered to have the most potential to cause serious illness. As long as flu viruses are spreading and causing illness, vaccination should continue throughout the flu season in order to protect as many people as possible. If you have not received your annual flu vaccine this year, now is the time! It generally takes 2 weeks after receiving the vaccine for your body to develop immunity.
Talk with your primary care provider or visit your local pharmacy to get the flu vaccine. To make an appointment for the Covid-19 vaccine, visit the GO Health website by clicking here. If you want to see weekly flu updates, you can use the NYS Flu Tracker (click here).
For more information about Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments, visit www.gohealthny.org. You can also visit Facebook at Genesee & Orleans County Health Departments, Twitter, and Instagram: @GoHealthNY.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 December 2021 at 6:22 pm
County also at new pandemic high for active cases
Orleans County is again at the top of the state for percent of positive Covid tests with 15.1 percent coming back positive in the past seven days. That is well ahead of the state’s 4.61 percent positive rate in the previous 7 days.
The four GLOW counties are all over 10 percent in positivity rate over the 7 days with Genesee at 14.0 percent, Livingston at 10.6 percent, Orleans at 15.1 percent and Wyoming at 14.5 percent.
Orleans, Genesee and Wyoming are the three highest positive test rates in the state.
Orleans also had the highest Covid positivity rate in the state with a 7-day average of 11.9 percent on Nov. 22. The state’s 7-day rate was 3.30 percent on Nov. 22.
Orleans County also is reporting 174 new positive Covid cases since Monday, and 79 more recoveries or people who completed their 10-day isolation and have been removed from mandatory isolation.
The county has 315 active Covid cases, a new pandemic record. It’s previous high was 281 on Nov. 12.
Orleans also has 17 residents hospitalized due to Covid, up from 15 on Monday, according to the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments.
Genesee County is reporting 140 new cases since Monday and 138 more recoveries. The county has 39 people hospitalized due to Covid, up from 30 on Monday.
The county also had another person die from Covid, a resident over age 65. This is the 145th Genesee resident to pass away from Covid during the pandemic since March 2020.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 November 2021 at 7:14 pm
2 counties report 507 new cases in past week, and 3 more deaths
The number of active Covid cases is down from a week ago but the number of people hospitalized due to Covid has increased in both Genesee and Orleans counties.
A week ago the two counties combined for 633 active cases, the most during the Covid pandemic dating back to March 2020.
Today, there are 463 active cases with 222 in Orleans (down from 237 a week ago) and 241 in Genesee (down from 396 on Nov. 22).
The two counties both have an increase in people hospitalized due to Covid. Orleans is at 15, up from 12 a week ago and four on Nov. 18. Genesee has 30 residents hospitalized from Covid, an increase from 19 a week ago and 9 on Nov. 18.
The two counties have had 507 more people test positive for Covid in the past seven days, the Genesee & Orleans County Health Departments reported today.
Orleans has 200 more cases in the past week, and 210 more recoveries or people who completed their 10-day isolation and have been removed from mandatory isolation.
Genesee has 307 new cases in the past seven days, and 459 more recoveries.
Orleans also had a resident under age 65 pass away from Covid, while Genesee has two more deaths, who were people over age 65. According to the state, Orleans has now had 96 people die from Covid and Genesee has had 144 since March 2020.
Orleans and Genesee continue to have a positive Covid test rate well above the state average. The 7-day average for positive Covid tests in the state is 4.12 percent. However, that positive rate over seven days is 12.6 percent in Genesee and 11.7 percent in Orleans. Wyoming County currently has the highest positivity rate in the state at 14.7 percent over the previous seven days.
Omicron Variant not detected in NY yet, but governor says, ‘It’s coming’
Press Release, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Office
Governor Kathy Hochul announced urgent action to boost hospital capacity and address staffing shortages ahead of potential spikes in Covid-19 cases this upcoming winter.
Through an Executive Order signed by Governor Hochul, the Department of Health will be allowed to limit non-essential, non-urgent procedures for in-hospitals or systems with limited capacity to protect access to critical health care services. Limited capacity is defined as below 10% staffed bed capacity, or as determined by the Department of Health based on regional and health care utilization factors.
The new protocols will begin on Friday, December 3, and will be re-assessed based on the latest Covid-19 data on January 15. The Executive Order will also enable New York State to acquire more quickly any critical supplies to combat the pandemic.
“We’ve taken extraordinary action to prevent the spread of Covid-19 and combat this pandemic. However, we continue to see warning signs of spikes this upcoming winter, and while the new Omicron variant has yet to be detected in New York State, it’s coming,” Governor Hochul said. “In preparation, I am announcing urgent steps to expand hospital capacity and help ensure our hospital systems can tackle any challenges posed by the pandemic as we head into the winter months. The vaccine remains one of our greatest weapons in fighting the pandemic, and I encourage every New Yorker to get vaccinated, and get the booster if you’re fully vaccinated.”
The Hochul Administration continues to take comprehensive steps to prevent the spread of Covid-19, including mask protocols in health care and P-12 school settings, correctional facilities and detentions centers, public transportation and at transportation hubs, and implementation of the HERO Act which requires all employers to implement workplace safety plans in response to Covid-19.
The Administration continues to focus on boosting vaccination rates among New Yorkers, including bolstering the State’s network of vaccine access points, and working to expand testing supplies. That also includes acting on our comprehensive plan to vaccinate school-aged children 5-17, provide incentive programs, combat vaccine misinformation campaigns, increase vaccine awareness, deploy pop-up vaccines in targeted low-vaccination areas, and implement vaccine requirements for health care workers. On August 24, the vaccination rate among adults with one dose was 78.8%. Today, it is 90.2%.
Further, the Administration continues to ramp up booster shots and urges all New Yorkers to get the booster dose once fully vaccinated. As of November 24, over 2.2 million boosters and/or additional doses have been administered. Nearly 4,500 locations across are administering booster shots.
The Administration will continue to partner with local leaders to make vaccines, boosters and testing more widely available.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 November 2021 at 10:12 pm
Hospitalizations are on the rise from Covid locally
The number of active Covid cases in Genesee and Orleans counties is more than 600 for the first time during the Covid-19 pandemic.
There are currently 396 active cases in Genesee and 237 in Orleans for 633 total in the two counties.
That is up from 581 a week ago, the previous high for the two counties when there were 326 cases in Genesee and 255 in Orleans.
The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments reported 237 new Covid cases in Genesee since Thursday, and 134 more recoveries or previously positive individuals who completed their 10-day isolation and have been removed from mandatory isolation.
Genesee also has 19 residents hospitalized due to Covid, which is up from nine who were hospitalized on Thursday.
Orleans has 104 more new Covid cases since Thursday and 137 more recoveries. The county currently has 12 residents hospitalized due to Covid, which is up from four on Thursday.
The county also is reporting a death from Covid, an individual over age 65. This is the 95th death in Orleans County from Covid since March 2020, according to the NYS Department of Health (click here).
The seven-day positive test rate in Orleans is at 10.9 percent and in Genesee it is at 9.9 percent, which is about three times the positivity rate in the state at 3.8 percent.
Press Release, Genesee & Orleans County Health Departments
With the recent increase in positive cases of Covid-19, colder weather and the upcoming holidays it is important to remember we are still in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic and the beginning of flu season.
“We are currently seeing a surge of positive Covid-19 cases across Genesee and Orleans Counties, the Finger Lakes and Western New York regions,” stated Paul Pettit, Director of Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments. “We want families to be able to enjoy the holidays together, however we are encouraging them gather safely.”
As we come together to celebrate Thanksgiving next week and Christmas and New Year’s next month, here are some tips for a safer holiday season:
If you aren’t vaccinated or have not gotten a booster, now is the time. Talk with your primary care provider to determine what is best for you or if you have questions or concerns.
Even if you don’t have symptoms, consider testing prior to any gathering to know your Covid-19 status so you are limiting potential spread.
The more people a person is in contact with, and for longer periods of time, the greater the risk of being exposed to and transmitting Covid-19. Limit time in large groups and increase space and/or wear face masks even if you are fully vaccinated.
Wash hands frequently and sanitize shared items.
If you are sick, experiencing Covid-19 or flu symptoms, are in isolation or quarantine, do not participate in any holiday activities until you are cleared and symptom free.
If you are planning to attend a holiday/seasonal gathering and start experiencing symptoms, stay home, consider getting tested for Covid-19.Isolate until you get your test results.
Limiting social contact is challenging for many people but there are still ways to be in contact without being in their physical presence. Consider having your “gatherings” over social media platforms. You can still connect and have fun in the safety and comfort of your own home.
If you do choose to participate in various activities, wear a face masks/coverings to minimize exposure indoors/outdoors when with people not in your household and when vaccination status is unknown.
If you are seeking a booster (all adults are now eligible) or start vaccination you can visit www.GOHealthNY.org website and choose vaccination information. GO Health has clinics at their respective health departments. Registration is required for all vaccination clinics.
Orleans County vaccination clinics are scheduled for Tuesday, November 23rdat the Orleans County Health Department, 14016 Route 31 West, Albion, NY.
Moderna Boosters only – 10 to 11:30 a.m.
All doses (no pediatric appointments for 5 to 11-year-olds) – 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Genesee County vaccination clinics are scheduled for Wednesday, November 24that the Genesee County Health Department, 3837 West Main Street Road, Batavia, NY.
Moderna Boosters only – 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.
All doses (no pediatric appointments for 5 to 11-year-olds) – 10:30 a.m. to noon
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 November 2021 at 8:05 am
Genesee and Orleans counties combined are reporting 249 more Covid cases from Monday to Thursday, with 133 in Genesee and 116 in Orleans.
The number active cases remains near a record high during the pandemic at 577 in the two counties. That is down slightly from the 581 on Monday, when the two counties combined had their most cases since the pandemic started in March 2020.
Genesee is at 298 active cases (down from 326 on Monday) and Orleans is at 279 (up from 255 on Monday).
Orleans has four people in the hospital from Covid, and the county is reporting 91 more recoveries, or previous positive individuals who completed their 10-day isolation and were removed from mandatory isolation.
Genesee currently has nine people hospitalized due to Covid and reported 159 more recoveries.
The seven-day positivity rate for Covid tests in Orleans was at 11.3 percent on Thursday, and Genesee is at 9.1 percent. That is well above the state’s 7-day average of 3.58 percent.
Orleans no longer has the highest 7-day average. Washington County is the highest at 12.9 percent, followed by Fulton at 12.8 percent, and Cattaraugus at 12.1 percent.
Governor Kathy Hochul today, at a breakfast hosted by the Association for a Better New York, announced a State University of New York and City University of New York Scholarship Program called the Nurses For Our Future Scholarship that will cover tuition for 1,000 new healthcare workers to get RNs at SUNY and CUNY. The program comes in an effort to help address the shortage in healthcare and lack of workers in hospitals around the state.
“Just a year ago, we were celebrating our healthcare workers as the heroes they are, and the pandemic has shown us that we cannot afford a labor shortage in the healthcare industry,” Governor Hochul said.
Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, hospitals have been facing a labor shortage and a massive influx of patients. This scholarship program is designed to recruit and retrain nursing and health care professionals to serve in NYSRNs which are most in need. There are currently more than 9,300 openings for Registered Nurses in New York State. The Nurses For Our Future Scholarship will mean 1,000 more students can enter a nursing program in either SUNY or CUNY. Students will be able to complete their programs with a flexible schedule, either part-time or full-time.
This effort will incentivize New York State residents active in the health care field to upskill their career path and advance their education through the SUNY or CUNY system.
In addition, the New York State Department of Labor will help market these new opportunities to existing and unemployed workers, including opportunities available through regional SUNY Educational Opportunity Centers for entry-level nurse certifications in high demand including Certified Nursing Assistant, Licensed Practical Nurse and Nursing Home Aide.
SUNY Chancellor Jim Malatras said, “With more than 70 nursing programs spanning every degree from LPN to BSN and that are found in every corner of New York State as well as online, SUNY stands ready to meet the growing demand for nurses who are the heartbeat of healthcare.”
New York State Nurses Association Executive Director Pat Kane, RN, said, “Nobody has put more on the line than those of us on the front line during this pandemic, and Governor Hochul’s visionary investment in helping us rebuild our nursing ranks is exactly the kind of support we need to keep delivering the care New Yorkers rely on.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 November 2021 at 8:09 am
ALBION – Orleans County has one of the highest positivity rates for Covid tests in the state, with 11.8 percent of tests coming back positive in the past seven days ending Monday.
Only Washington County, at 12.7 percent, tops Orleans. That county moved past Orleans for the highest 7-day average after having 27.3 percent of its tests – 84 out of 308 – test positive on Monday. (Orleans had 15.3 percent positive on Monday with 27 out 177.) Neighboring Genesee County is at 9.2 percent for its 7-day average.
The state 7-day average is currently 3.40 percent, putting Orleans more than three times the state average. The positivity rate varies around the state. Orleans is in the Finger Lakes Region which has a positive test rate of 8.73 percent, the highest in the state and just ahead of the 8.52 percent for Western New York. New York City has the lowest rate at 1.41 percent.
“It’s not just in Orleans and Genesee,” said Paul Pettit, public health director for those two counties. “We’re seeing increases throughout Finger Lakes and Western New York.”
The increased screening and surveillance testing is picking up more positives, he said.
And seasonal changes are bringing people back inside for gatherings, meetings and parties.
“This environment is more conducive to the spread of respiratory illnesses, including Covid,” Pettit said.
As the pandemic stretches to 20 months and counting, there is also fatigue from the public with less adherence to current CDC recommendations on masking, distancing, and staying home if symptomatic, Pettit said.
The Delta variant also spreads with a high infectivity rate and there is reduced efficacy in vaccines over time in preventing Covid, Pettit said. About 25 to 30 percent of the new Covid infections are “breakthrough cases” of people who had been vaccinated.
He continues to strongly recommend the vaccine to protect the public from Covid. “The vaccine is very effective in preventing severity of disease, including hospitalization and death.” He encourages people to get the vaccine booster shot “to get vaccine efficacy back up for increased protection.”
Pettit offered this advice to slow the spread of Covid: “Wear a mask when in crowded areas, stay home if you have symptoms, get vaccinated which will lessen the severity and get the booster.”
