‘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.”

By Mike Pettinella, GCASA Publicist

BATAVIA – Opioids for pain management are no longer the standard care for chronic pain, according to a board-certified family nurse practitioner at the United Memorial Medical Center Pain Management Center in Batavia.

Rebecca Russo

“We do not avoid prescription medications, but we work to avoid the management of opioids, which can decrease the perception of pain and not the cause of it,” said Rebecca Russo, responding to questions about non-opioid alternatives for the GOW Opioid Task Force.

Russo, an employee at the UMMC pain clinic since August 2020, said as a pain management nurse practitioner, she recommends minimally invasive fluoroscopic procedures for diagnosis and treatment of pain.

“We work with the patient’s primary care physician and other health care professionals to ensure the best possible outcomes for these patients,” she said. “We also like to be as conservative as possible (by utilizing) non-invasive measures such as physical therapy, aqua therapy, chiropractic and massage treatments, and acupuncture.”

When it comes to opioids, Russo is well aware of the long-term effects – including addiction – that can result from prolonged use of these drugs.

“There are so many more alternatives a pain management specialist treating chronic pain that can offer the most benefit for these patients,” she said. “A multimodal approach to management is best in treating chronic pain. Opioids are not used for chronic non-malignant pain anymore as studies have shown.”

Russo said she switched to the pain management field when a colleague recommended her for a pain management and neurology position.

“I have to say I wouldn’t have had a better fit in my career. This specialty is fascinating and bountiful in ways to help patients, which I lay my foundation on,” the Michigan native said. “I have been working in pain management since I graduated with my Master of Science in Nursing four years ago.”

Prior to joining the program at UMMC, she was a registered nurse for six years, working on various units, including intermediate care, medical/surgical, observation and progressive care.

She said the local pain clinic treats a wide range of chronic and acute pain conditions, such as neck pain, cancer pain, myofascial pain, joint pain, back pain, phantom limb pain, bursitis, sciatica, post herpetic neuralgia pain, complex regional pain syndrome, peripheral neuropathy and failed back surgery syndrome.

“Some of the micro-invasive procedures that can be performed at the UMMC Pain Clinic include nerve blocks in various areas as well as radiofrequency ablations; lumbar, thoracic and cervical epidural steroid injections; trigger point injections; and spinal cord stimulator implantation,” she said.

The practice is growing coming out of the Covid-19 pandemic, she reported, with more and more in-person visits being scheduled.

“At this time, we strive to keep our visits in-person, but we can accommodate telemedicine visits when a patient is unable to be seen in-person. This may be for various reasons such as being ill, inability to drive or last minute patient schedule changes,” she explained.

Russo sees the pain clinic as a viable alternative for people dealing with chronic pain, adding that the patient is considered “an important team member.”

“Interventional management is beneficial for patients when their pain continues even after attempting conservative treatments or do not have a diagnosis for their pain,” she said. “A proper diagnosis is the first step to successful treatment.

“Another benefit for these patients is that they want to avoid surgery if possible or if they’ve had surgery, but still experiencing pain, we can provide them alternatives to another surgery unless otherwise indicated.”

The UMMC Pain Center is located in Batavia at 229 Summit St., Suite 4. For more information, call 585-815-6710.

‘Orleans County is still considered high for level of community transmission’ – Paul Pettit, public health director

Press Release, Genesee & Orleans County Health Departments

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

Starting Friday, February 18th, each town hall, village hall, library, and the Orleans County Office Building will have a supply of Covid test kits to distribute to residents during normal business hours until the kits are gone.

“Per the CDC data tracker, Orleans County is still considered high for level of community transmission,” said Paul Pettit, Public Health Director for Orleans County Health Department.  “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.”

The GCC Albion Campus Center at 456 West Ave. in Albion 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 allowed or for 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.

It is expected the state will continue to send out Covid-19 home test kits as they receive them. Moving forward, please check with your Town/Village hall and local library system to determine access to home test kits.

A maximum of 2 kits 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.

“Residents should use at-home Covid-19 tests after a possible exposure to someone with Covid, after returning from travel, before and after attending large mixed gatherings, 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 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.

Orleans and Genesee counties continue to see Covid-19 cases fall from the peak of the Omicron surge.

The two counties reported 216 new cases over seven days, Feb. 9-15, which is down 92 percent from the 2,703 cases in the two counties from the peak of the Omicron surge from Jan. 5-11.

Each of the counties reported a death from Covid in the past week. Orleans has now had 110 residents pass away from Covid while Genesee has had 182 deaths from Covid during the nearly two years if the Covid, according to the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments.

Statewide the daily new cases are at the lowest levels since Oct. 25, and hospitalizations are down 72 percent since Jan. 11, Gov. Kathy Hochul said on Tuesday..

“We have very promising numbers on Covid,” Hochul said. “We are in a good place.”

In Orleans County, the Covid cases the past 8 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

In Genesee County, the Covid cases the past 8 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

Photo contributed: Staff at Medina Memorial Hospital pose for a photo on Wear Red Day to celebrate Heart Month to highlight the importance of heart health and preventing heart disease.

MEDINA – Orleans Community Health and Medina Memorial Hospital are continuing to celebrate February as Heart Month, with different events throughout the month.

According to information from Scott Robinson, director of Marketing, Communications and Outreach, February was declared as American Heart Month by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964, nine years after his own heart attack. Orleans Community is taking the opportunity this month to highlight the importance of heart health and that heart disease is largely preventable.

In addition to focusing on heart health for the entire month, the topic is being highlighted in different ways throughout February.

Feb. 4 was recognized as Wear Red Day, bringing awareness to the fact that heart disease is the number one killer of women. In addition, the week of Feb. 13 to 19 is Cardiac Rehab Week, which highlights the role rehabilitation plays in reducing further the devastating effects of heart disease.

According to the Center for Disease Control, some important statistics on heart disease are:

• Heart disease is the number one killer of women, men and many ethnic groups within the United States.
• One in every four deaths is due to heart disease.
• Every year approximately 805,000 people have a heart attack, 200,000 of which happen to people have already had one.

On a positive note, heart disease is largely preventable by following these basic tips:

• Eat foods that promote heart health.
• Avoid smoking tobacco products.
• Make sure to get at least 30 minutes of physical activity for five days a week.
• Talk with your doctor to make sure you’re keeping track of your blood pressure and other potential warning signs.

Orleans Community Health urges everyone in the community to take heart disease seriously.

Medina Memorial Health offers several services in the Cardiac Department that can help.

Electrocardiograms, or EKG, are an innovative diagnostic tool. An EKG records the electric signal from the heart and is useful in detecting arrhythmias, heart attack and heart failure.

An Echocardiogram is a type of ultrasound that uses two-dimensional, three-dimensional and Doppler ultrasound waves to create a clear image of the heart. This image can then be used to diagnose conditions that affect the heart’s valves and chambers.

Vascular Ultrasounds use similar techniques as an echocardiogram to form images of blood vessels. At Medina Memorial Hospital, this tool is used to diagnose blood clots, blockages and other sources of congestion.

Cardiac Stress Tests are used to measure the heart’s ability to respond to stress, such as exercise or other stimulation. A stress test is an essential tool for identifying problems with blood flow, like blockages or arrhythmias aggravated by stress.

More information on these cardiac services can be found by logging on to Cardiac Services – Orleans Community Health.

Orleans reports 2 more Covid-related deaths, Genesee 4 more

The number of new Covid cases in Genesee and Orleans counties continues to fall. The two counties are reporting 355 new cases in the past week, with 198 in Genesee and 157 in Orleans.

Genesee also is reporting 4 more Covid-related deaths and Orleans has 2 more. Genesee has now had 181 residents pass away due to Covid and Orleans 109 during the nearly two years of the pandemic, according to the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments.

The 355 new cases from Feb. 2 to Feb. 8 are down from 616 new cases the previous 7 days.

Orleans County Covid cases the past 7 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
• 157 – Feb. 2-8

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
• 198 – Feb. 2-8

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.