Photo by Marsha Rivers: This sign is posted on the entrance at the Albion High School community entrance, leading to the gym. People will still be required to wear mask inside schools.

Gov. Kathy Hochul announced today that masks will not be required beginning tomorrow at businesses and many other indoor public places.

The governor said masks will still be required at schools, although she, public health and education officials will look at the data in early March and re-evaluate whether masks will be mandated in schools.

The decision to not require masks in businesses follows a big drop in Covid cases, hospitalizations and percent of positive tests from a spike in early January due to the Omicron variant.

Hochul announced the mask mandate about two months ago. The mask requirement remains in place for health care facilities, nursing homes, correctional facilities and on public transportation.

Local governments and private businesses can still require that masks be required, and people also can choose to wear them, Hochul said.

“Individuals who continue to want to wear masks can continue to wear masks,” she said.

Hochul said the mask mandate made a big difference in helping the state get through the Omicron surge.

The number of Covid cases statewide has plummeted from a high of 90,132 cases on Jan. 7 to 6,041 on Feb. 8. The percent positive is down from 23 percent on Jan. 2 to 3.67 percent on Feb. 8. The number of hospitalizations also has declined from about 12,000 on Jan. 12 to 4,600 on Feb. 8.

Hochul said schools would be provided with at-home Covid testing kits for each student to take before the February break and then again when they return. Those results will help public health and education officials decide whether masks will continue to be required in schools. Hochul said she expects to announce a decision in early March regarding masks in schools.

Rob Ortt, State Senate Republican Leader, issued this statement: “The end of the ‘business mask mandate’ is long overdue. But it is absolutely outrageous that Governor Hochul is extending her mask mandate for school children, with no established off-ramp. The public deserves to know which metrics and so-called science her administration used to make this misguided decision.

“At a time when restrictions across our country and the entire world are being dropped, New Yorkers are desperate for the same. They are desperate for leadership, desperate for checks and balances. This Governor and the Democrat-led legislature are providing NONE of the above and instead adding layers of more frustrations to New Yorkers.

“My Republican colleagues and I have fought against these mandates for years, and will continue to do so until every single unconstitutional mandate is lifted.”

Assemblyman Steve Hawley issued this statement:  “The end of the mask mandate for businesses is a welcome development, but given what the data is telling us about the rapid decline in Covid-19 infections and what is being done in neighboring states that have otherwise maintained egregious and heavy-handed policies throughout the pandemic, it isn’t close to the announcement we would hope to hear.

“At this point it should be no question that the time for state-level mandates of any kind has come to an end and control of pandemic management should return to local governments and school districts.

“For rural communities like mine, mask mandates for healthy children in schools have done far more harm than good. Should educators and local administrators deem that such mandates aren’t needed, they should have the ability to make the best decision possible for the well-being of their students.”

Press Release, Genesee & Orleans County Office Building

New York State has provided Orleans County Emergency Management Office with free at-home Covid-19 test kits to distribute to residents.

Starting today each village hall, library and the Orleans County Office Building will have a limited supply of Covid-19 test kits to distribute to residents during normal business hours until the kits are gone.

“Orleans County is still considered high for level of community transmission,” said Paul Pettit, Public Health Director for Orleans and Genesee counties.  “We continue to encourage anyone who has had close contact with someone who tested positive with Covid-19 to get tested 5 days after last contact.  If you are experiencing any symptoms self-isolate and test for Covid-19.”

In addition to the at-home test kits, the GCC Albion Campus Center at 456 West Avenue will be open through at least Feb. 23, Monday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. for PCR and rapid testing. Walk-ins are allowed. To make an appointment, click here.

If you need a lab-confirmed test, visit the NYS Covid-19 testing sites for lab testing locations. Home tests can be reported on the GOHealthNY.org website by clicking the red Covid-19 Testing button and clicking your county.

A maximum of 1 kit per person will be distributed at the following locations:

• Orleans County Office Building: Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Village of Lyndonville: Monday-Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Closed daily from 12:30 p.m. to 1 p.m.
• Village of Medina: Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Village of Albion:Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Village of Holley:Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Yates Community Library in Lyndonville: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Lee-Whedon Memorial Library in Medina: Monday to Thursday from 10 a.m to 8 p.m.; Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Hoag Library in Albion:Monday-Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Community Free Library in Holley: Monday, Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. & 4 to 8 p.m. ; Tuesday, Thursday, Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Please note all the school districts have received kits for their students and will distribute according to their respective plans.

“Residents should use at-home Covid-19 tests after a possible exposure to someone with Covid-19 or when they exhibit symptoms of Covid-19,” Pettit said. “Testing is one mitigation strategy that can help reduce the community spread of Covid-19.”

To report a positive at-home test: Individuals can visit the GO Health website and Covid-19 Testing page and choose the appropriate Home Test button for their respective county.

Individuals should complete the at-home tests according to the directions provided. When the test is completed, individuals should take a picture with the individual’s name, the date and the time they took the test legibly written in permanent marker within 15 minutes of reading the test.

Towards the end of the online form, the individual will be required to upload the picture on the website and attest to the authenticity and truth of the form.  If there are any missing sections that are required, the form is invalid.  At this time, individuals do not need to report negative at-home test results.

Anyone who tests positive for Covid-19 is to self-isolate immediately. You may not be contacted regarding your contacts, so it is important to notify your close contacts (those who you spent 15 minutes or more in a 24-hour period 2 days prior to symptoms or 2 days prior to a positive test result).

It is important to continue with self-isolation from household members as much as you are able. Isolate for 5 days and if you are fever-free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication, your symptoms are getting better, and you can tolerate a tight-fitting mask you can return to work/school but you are still required to wear a tight-fitting mask for 5 more days.

If you must share space, make sure all in contact with you are wearing tight-fitting masks covering their nose and mouth and frequently shared items/surfaces are sanitized often. To access isolation orders and isolation release paperwork visit our website at GOHealthNY.org (Covid-19 Isolation & Quarantine Documents & Information) and complete and print out or print and hand write the forms from the county you reside in and provide to your employer or school.

Chart courtesy of Genesee & Orleans County Health Departments

The new Covid cases are trending down in Genesee and Orleans counties from a peak about a month ago.

The two counties reported 616 new cases from Jan. 26 to Feb. 1, with 361 in Genesee and 255 in Orleans.

That is down from 2,703 cases in the two counties from Jan. 5-11, 1,659 from Jan. 12-18 and 1,368 from Jan. 19-25.

Genesee is also reporting three more Covid-related deaths bringing that total to 177 since the pandemic started in March 2020. Orleans isn’t reporting any new Covid-related deaths in the past week and remains at 107.

Orleans County Covid cases the past 6 weeks:

• 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

Genesee County Covid cases the past 6 weeks:

• 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

Press Release, Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments

BATAVIA – The Genesee County Health Department will be hosting a free anti-rabies immunization clinic on Thursday, Feb. 10, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Batavia Town Highway Garage (3833 West Main Street Rd., Batavia).

“We encourage residents to take advantage of this opportunity to make sure that their animals are immunized against rabies and that the vaccinations are kept up to date,” stated Paul Pettit, Public Health Director for Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments (GO Health). “Rabies continues to be a serious public health concern in Genesee County and is a preventable viral disease most often transmitted through the bite of a rabid animal. Please leave wildlife alone and do not feed, touch, or adopt wild animals, stray dogs or cats.”

Vaccinations are free for dogs, cats and ferrets, but voluntary donations are accepted. Animals must be at least 3 months old. Each animal must be leashed or crated and accompanied by an adult who can control the animal. Limit 4 pets per car maximum. Face coverings are required and please follow all social distancing requirements.

To save you time, please click here to fill out your registration form in advance. Be sure to print out two copies for each pet to be vaccinated and bring them with you to the clinic.

The next anti-rabies immunization clinic in Genesee County will be held on May 19^th at the Genesee County Fairgrounds.  For more information, please contact the Genesee County Health Department: 585-344-2580 x.5555 or Health.Dept@co.genesee.ny.us.

Editor’s Note: Orleans County residents are welcome to bring their animals to the clinic in Genesee County.

Gov. Kathy Hochul announced today that an indoor mask mandate at public places would be extended from Feb. 1 to Feb. 10, and would be re-evaluated close before Feb. 10.

Gov. Kathy Hochul

Hochul said she is encouraged be the recent data on Covid-19 cases.

On Thursday there were 13,592 new Covid cases with 6.15 percent positive. That compares to Jan. 7 when the state hit an all-time high for Covid cases with The 90,132 cases in one day. The percentage of positive tests that day was 21.17.

Statewide the hospitalizations dropped by more than 2,800 over the past week, Hochul said.

“New Yorkers are doing what is necessary to combat the spread of Covid-19 and the progress is evident in our numbers,” Hochul said.

Hochul first mandated face coverings to be worn in all indoor public places on Dec. 13, unless the business or venue implements a vaccine requirement.

She said the mask mandate has been a key in driving the Covid numbers down.

“I want to thank all the businesses and the people who follow these policies,” she said. “You are the reason our state is going to come out of this far sooner than other states.”

Charts courtesy of Genesee & Orleans County Health Departments

There are more than 1,200 more confirmed Covid cases in Genesee and Orleans counties in the past seven days. That is the third most during a week of the pandemic, but is still down from the previous two weeks. That is 1,266 cases from Jan. 19-25, down from 1,659 the previous week, and the 2,703 from Jan. 5-11, the most during the pandemic.

Orleans County is reporting 521 new cases in the past week (Jan. 19-25), which is down from 645 the previous week and 855 from Jan. 5-11. Those cases include 122 at-home tests in the past week, which was preceded by 173 (Jan. 12-18) and 233 (Jan. 5-11).

Genesee County has 745 new cases in the past week, which is down from 1,014 from Jan. 12-18, and 1,848 from Jan. 5-11. Those cases include 229 at-home tests in the past week, which was preceded by 199 (Jan. 12-18) and 325 (Jan. 5-11).

Genesee County has also had five more Covid-related deaths in the past week and Orleans two more. Genesee has now had 174 Covid-related deaths and Orleans 107 during the pandemic, which started in March 2020.

Orleans Community Health expanding surgical services

MEDINA – Dr. Joseph Misiti of Medina has announced he will donate his practice and move it to Orleans Community Health as an opportunity for the future of healthcare in the area. Misiti will remain full time in the new location.

Dr. Joseph Misiti

“Dr. Misiti is a home-grown Medina native who has dedicated more than 40 years to the health of the community,” said Kim Gray, CNO/director of surgical services at Orleans Community Health. “This expansion into Medina Memorial Hospital will also include three new providers. This is a moment of growth and one we should all be excited about.”

Dr. Misiti will be joined in this new location by Dr. Jennifer Griffith, Dr. Thomas Russo and Sean Yeckley, physician assistant. In addition to the many services and state-of-the-art equipment currently at Medina Memorial Hospital, this team will be able to offer a complete spectrum of services, the hospital announced.

Dr. Misiti received his doctorate at the University of Buffalo and completed his residency at Erie County Medical Center. He is currently serving as medical director at Orleans Community Health.

Dr. Griffith, a board-certified general surgeon, received her doctorate at the University of Buffalo and completed her general surgery residency at the University of Rochester Medical Center. With more than 20 years of experience, she is currently serving as chair of the Department of Surgery at United Memorial Medical Center in Batavia.

Dr. Thomas Russo, a board-eligible general surgeon, received his doctor of osteopathic medicine from Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine in Erie, Pa. and completed his residency in general surgery at Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Trenton, Mich.

Yeckley was born and raised in rural central Pennsylvania. His undergraduate education was completed at St. Francis University in Loretto, Pa., where he received a bachelor of science in health science with a minor in biology. He remained in Loretto at St. Francis University to complete his graduate education and receive a masters of physician assistant science.

Immediately after graduation, he worked for the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center in vascular surgery at their Altoona campus. When new opportunities arose, he moved to Buffalo and has since been working in general surgery with Rochester Regional Health at United Memorial Medical Center and Orleans Community Health.

Press Release, Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments

New York State has provided Orleans County Emergency Management Office with free at-home Covid-19 test kits to distribute to residents.

Starting Tuesday, each library, town hall, village hall, and the Orleans County Office Building will have a limited supply of Covid-19 test kits to distribute to their residents during normal business hours until the kits are gone.

“Residents should use at-home Covid-19 tests after a possible exposure to someone with Covid-19 or when they exhibit symptoms of Covid-19,” stated Paul Pettit, Public Health Director for Genesee and Orleans counties. “Testing is one mitigation strategy that can help reduce the community spread of Covid-19.”

Please note all the school districts have received kits for their students and will distribute according to their respective plans. A maximum of one kit per family will be distributed at the following locations:

• Community Free Library in Holley: Monday, Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. & 4 to 8 p.m./ Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m./Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Hoag Library in Albion:Monday-Thursday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m./ Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m./ Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Lee-Whedon Library in Medina: Monday-Thursday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m./ Friday-Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Yates Community Library in Lyndonville: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m./ Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m./ Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• Orleans County Office Building: Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

• Village of Albion: Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Village of Holley:Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Village of Lyndonville:Monday-Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., closed daily 12:30 p.m. to 1 p.m.
• Village of Medina:Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

• Town of Albion: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., and noon to 3 p.m.
• Town of Barre: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
• Town of Carlton: Tuesday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m./Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon
• Town of Clarendon: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m./Tuesday from noon to 6 p.m./ Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m./ Saturday 10 a.m. to noon
• Town of Gaines: Monday-Thursday from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m./Monday evenings from 5 to 7 p.m.
• Town of Kendall: Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (closed for lunch from noon to 12:45)
• Town of Murray:Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m./Saturday 9 a.m. to noon
• Town of Ridgeway: Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Town of Shelby:Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Town of Yates:Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Covid testing available at GCC in Albion: For Free PCR and rapid testing you can go to the NYS Covid-19 testing site located at GCC Albion Campus Center at 456 West Avenue, Albion. Walk-ins and registration allowed Monday-Saturday.  To register, click here.

To report a positive at-home test: Individuals can visit the GO Health website Covid-19 testing page under Emerging Issues (GOHealthNY.org) and choose the appropriate Home Test button for their respective county.

Individuals should complete the at-home tests according to the directions provided. When the test is completed, individuals should take a picture with the individual’s name, the date and the time they took the test legibly written in permanent marker within 15 minutes of reading the test.

Towards the end of the online form, the individual will be required to upload the picture on the website and attest to the authenticity and truth of the form. If there are any missing sections that are required, the form is invalid. At this time, individuals do not need to report negative at-home test results.

Anyone who tests positive for Covid-19 is to self-isolate immediately. You may not be contacted regarding your contacts, so it is important to notify your close contacts (those who you spent 15 minutes or more in a 24-hour period 2 days prior to symptoms or 2 days prior to a positive test result).

It is important to continue with self-isolation from household members as much as you are able. Isolate for 5 days and if you are fever-free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication, your symptoms are getting better, and you can tolerate a tight-fitting mask you can return to work/school but you are still required to wear a tight-fitting mask for 5 more days.

If you must share space, make sure all in contact with you are wearing masks covering their nose and mouth and frequently shared items/surfaces are sanitized often.

To access isolation orders and isolation release paperwork visit our website at GOHealthNY.org (Covid-19 Isolation & Quarantine Documents & Information) and complete and print out or print and hand write the forms from the county you reside in and provide to your employer or school.

The Covid positivity rate fell below 10 percent on Thursday state-wide for the first time in about month, but remains much higher locally.

The percentage of positive Covid tests on Thursday was 9.75, with 28,296 of the 290,107 reported results coming back positive.

Gov. Kathy Hochul celebrated the milestone on Friday.

“For the first time since Dec. 20, New York State’s percent positivity is in the single-digits,” she said. “I want to thank New Yorkers for doing the right thing to get where we are in fighting this winter surge. However, this isn’t the time to take our foot off the gas. Let’s keep using the tools – the vaccine, the booster and masking up – to further bring the numbers down and keep our vulnerable loves ones safe from this virus.”

Locally the percentage of positive tests is much higher.

• In Orleans, 17.5 percent of the tests were positive on Thursday (71 out of 406).
• In Genesee, 21.6 percent were positive (150 out of 695)
• In Niagara, 17.9 percent tested positive (305 out of 1,716)
• In Wyoming, the percent positive was 17.8 percent (64 out of 360)
• In Livingston, 24.8 percent were positive (124 out of 500)

Press Release, Genesee & Orleans County Health Departments

Genesee County has received 2,580 free Covid-19 test kits from New York State to distribute to Genesee County residents.

Starting the week of January 24, test kits will be available at town, village, and city municipal buildings during their regular business hours, while supplies last.

Residents should contact their local municipality for details of when the municipal building is open and the availability of test kits. A maximum of two kits (four tests) per family will be distributed and attendees will be required to show proof of Genesee County residency in order to receive kits. The following locations will have a limited supply of Covid-19 test kits:

• Town of Alabama
• Town of Alexander
• Town of Batavia
• Town of Bergen
• Town of Bethany
• Town of Byron
• Town of Darien
• Town of Elba
• Town of LeRoy
• Town of Oakfield
• Town of Pavilion
• Town of Pembroke
• Town of Stafford
• Village of Alexander
• Village of Bergen
• Village of Corfu
• Village of Elba
• Village of LeRoy
• Village of Oakfield
• Batavia City Hall, Clerks Office

“Residents should use at-home Covid-19 tests after a possible exposure to someone with Covid-19 or when they exhibit symptoms of Covid-19,” stated Paul Pettit, Public Health Director for Genesee and Orleans counties. “Testing is one mitigation strategy that can help reduce the community spread of Covid-19.”

Albion testing site at GCC campus: For Free PCR and rapid testing, you can go to the NYS Covid-19 Testing site located at GCC Albion Campus Center at 456 West Avenue, Albion. Walk-ins and registration allowed Monday through Saturday. To register, click here.

To report a positive at-home test: Individuals can visit the GO Health website Covid-19 Testing page under Emerging Issues (GOHealthNY.org) and choose the appropriate Home Test button for their respective county.

Individuals should complete the at-home tests according to the directions provided. When the test is completed, individuals should take a picture with the individual’s name, the date and the time they took the test legibly written in permanent marker within 15 minutes of reading the test.

Towards the end of the online form, the individual will be required to upload the picture on the website and attest to the authenticity and truth of the form. If there are any missing sections that are required, the form is invalid. At this time, individuals do not need to report negative at-home test results.

Anyone who tests positive for Covid-19 is to self-isolate immediately. You may not be contacted regarding your contacts, so it is important to notify your close contacts (those who you spent 15 minutes or more in a 24-hour period 2 days prior to symptoms or 2 days prior to a positive test result).

It is important to continue with self-isolation from household members as much as you are able. Isolate for 5 days and if you are fever-free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication, your symptoms are getting better, and you can tolerate a tight-fitting mask you can return to work/school but you are still required to wear a tight-fitting mask for 5 more days.

If you must share space, make sure all in contact with you are wearing masks covering their nose and mouth and frequently shared items/surfaces are sanitized often. To access isolation orders and isolation release paperwork visit our website at GOHealthNY.org (Covid-19 Isolation & Quarantine Documents & Information) and complete and print out or print and hand write the forms from the county you reside in and provide to your employer or school.

Residents can sign up for an upcoming Covid-19 vaccination clinic to receive their first dose, booster shot, or pediatric dose at the GO Health website.

Charts from Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments

The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments reported 1,659 new Covid cases in the two counties the past week. That is the second most during the nearly two-year Covid-19 pandemic, but is down from the 2,703 the previous week.

Orleans County is reporting 645 new cases from Jan. 12-18, down from 855 the previous week, and Genesee has 1,014 new cases, down from 1,848 from Jan. 5-11.

Combined, the two weeks represent 4,362 cases or 4.4 percent of the combined population of 98,731 in the two counties – 40,343 in Orleans and 58,388 in Genesee.

The G-O Health Departments also said one Orleans County resident and three from Genesee County passed away due to Covid in the past week. All four were over age 65.

“We do not provide any further information to protect the privacy of these individuals and their families,” G-O Health stated. “Our deepest condolences are extended to the families and friends of these individuals.”

Genesee has now had 169 Covid-related deaths and Orleans has had 105 during the pandemic, G-O Health officials said.

Governor Kathy Hochul on Friday nine testing sites will open on SUNY and community college campuses across New York State, including close by to Orleans County at Niagara County Community College and Monroe Community College.

“Through our winter surge plan we are building on our ongoing efforts to make testing more widely available, and that includes utilizing our SUNY campus facilities that are equipped to distribute more tests to New Yorkers,” Hochul said. “Expanded access to testing will ensure those who are positive with the virus can isolate to limit spread and keep others in their communities well. Get tested and stay home if you are sick – we are not powerless.”

The site at NCCC opens on Jan. 18 and will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. from Monday through Friday at Building G, 3111 Saunders Settlement Road in Sanborn.

Appointments can be scheduled by clicking here.

The site at MCC starts on Jan. 20 and will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday at Gillman Lounge, Building 3, Rm. 114, 1000 East Henrietta Road, Parking Lot N in Rochester.

Appointments can be scheduled by clicking here.

Other colleges that will start as community Covid testing sites next week include Rockland Community College, SUNY Sullivan, Alfred State, Empire State College in Saratoga Springs, Finger Lakes Community College, SUNY Ulster, and SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University.

The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments are committed to helping people get vaccinated, including those who are homebound and cannot easily leave their residences.

The G-O Health Departments have vaccinated 35 homebound residents in Orleans and 50 in Genesee so far. The Health Department will bring the Covid vaccine to homebound residents as staff are able to schedule giving the shots, said paul pettit, public health director for the two counties.

Homebound residents can call either Orleans and Genesee to set an appointment, and they can pick from any of the vaccines – Moderna, Pfizer or Johnson & Johnson.

To be put on the homebound vaccine list, call the Health Department in Orleans at (585) 589-3278 and in Genesee at (585) 344-2580 ext. 5555.

More spread of Covid after restrictions lifted in 2021, students return to in-person school

Chart information courtesy of Genesee & Orleans County Health Departments

The number of Covid cases was far more locally in 2021 than in 2020 despite Covid vaccinations that covered about 60 percent of the population in Genesee and Orleans counties.

In Orleans there were nearly four times as many cases and Genesee more than tripled the number of cases in 2021 compared to 2020, when Covid emerged and prompted then Gov. Andrew Cuomo and public health officials closed schools, restricted businesses and public gatherings.

In Orleans, the number of Covid cases increased from 1,376 in 2020 to 5,142 last year. In Genesee, the cases were up from 2,449 to 7,538.

The number of Covid-related deaths was down in Orleans from 62 in 2020 to 41 in 2021. However, in Genesee the number of Covid-related deaths was up from 29 in 2020 to 129 in 2021, according to data from the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments.

The Covid cases have steadily been on the rise since the summer.

Genesee-Orleans health officials say the communities have yet to reach herd immunity in vaccinations. The percent of people vaccinated locally is behind the rate in the region and state.

The effectiveness of the vaccines also wanes in time, and about 30 percent of the Covid infections later after Aug. 1 were “breakthrough cases” among those vaccinated many months earlier. That has prompted public health officials to urge people to get the Covid booster shot. Those vaccinated, even several months ago, also are less likely to get seriously sick and be hospitalized than those who aren’t vaccinated, Paul Pettit, public health director in the two counties, said to local reporters on Thursday.

In 2021, things have returned somewhat to “normal” with local schools back to in-person learning every day without remote learning or a hybrid schedule. Businesses were also able to operate at full in-person capacity and community events and festivals were back.

New variants – Delta and Omicron – have also emerged and proven very contagious.

The following charts show the cases broken down per age group. Children and younger adults have accounted for most of the new cases since September.

Covid cases have been surging dramatically in the two local counties so far in 2022, following the indoor gatherings over the holidays and spread of the highly contagious Omicron variant.

Genesee had 1,509 new cases in December, which was by far the most it had during the pandemic – until this month. The county already reported 2,118 cases during the first 10 days of January.

Orleans had 1,045 cases in November, the most during the pandemic for Orleans, and followed that with 938 in December. The county already has 1,125 in the first 10 days of January.

Photo courtesy of Scott Robinson: From left, Doctors of Pharmacy Tom Guzzino, Kate Brauen (director of pharmacy) and Faust Novello (board certified pharmacotherapy specialist) are shown at work in the pharmacy at Medina Memorial Hospital. Thursday was National Pharmaceutical Day.

MEDINA – In conjunction with National Pharmaceutical Day on Jan. 12, Orleans Community Health is recognizing pharmacists within Medina Memorial Hospital.

According to Scott Robinson, director of Marketing, Communications and Outreach, this is a time to showcase the impact pharmacists have on the public’s health and wellbeing.

“Our department team truly loves the work we do,” said Kate Brauen, Doctor of Pharmacy and director of pharmacy at Orleans Community Health. “Health care is a challenging and dynamic field. Pharmacy does more than just giving out medications. We monitor, educate and recommend drug treatments. We take our jobs very seriously and try to maintain a sense of humor every day.”

The 12-person internal pharmacy team at Orleans Community Health resides throughout Western New York, and their service to the community spans decades. The current team includes individuals who have held positions at Orleans Community Health from six months to nearly 40 years, Robinson said.

“We want our patients and the community to be healthy and successful when they leave our care,” Brauen said. “Pharmacists are one of the most trusted health care providers and I want people to know they can access their pharmacist and obtain great advice very easily. During the pandemic, the pharmacy team has sought out access to various therapies for Covid, including antivirals, vaccinations and antibody therapy. We have tried to educate ourselves so we can be a source of credible information to our colleagues and the community.”

A continual goal of Orleans Community Health is to help develop individuals in their career. Brauen is a preceptor for UB and St. John Fisher College Pharmacy programs, in addition to being a preceptor for a UB/Middleport Family Health Center Pharmacy Residency Program.

The Orleans Community Health pharmacy has two outpatient pharmacists in this program who round on TCU patients twice a week. These individuals work as outpatient pharmacists and collaborate with the hospital to help provide better care in the transition home from the hospital.

In addition to Brauen, the pharmacy team at Orleans Community Health includes Tom Guzzino, doctor of pharmacy; Faust Novello, doctor of pharmacy/board certified pharmacotherapy specialist; Paul Torreano, RPH; Fran Mosher, RPH; Rich Avalos, doctor of pharmacy; John Arley Wyman, doctor of pharmacy; Casey Kern, doctor of pharmacy; and Dawn Smith, Evelyn Osborne, Kara Shamblin and Amy Schultz, pharmacy technicians.

Brauen has been employed at Orleans Community Health’s pharmacy for 20 years, Torreano for 37 years, and Smith for 23 years.