There are 63 new Covid-19 cases in Orleans County since Thursday and 56 more in Genesee County, the Genesee and Orleans County health Departments reported today.

The new cases in Orleans include the age groups of 0-19, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s.

There are currently five Orleans County residents hospitalized due to Covid, which is up from three on Thursday, according to G-O Health.

Orleans also had 43 more of the previous positive individuals complete their 10-day isolation and they have been removed from mandatory isolation.

Genesee is reporting 56 new positive and the individuals are in the age groups of 0-19, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s.

There are currently 14 Genesee residents hospitalized due to Covid, which is down from 16 on Thursday, G-O Health said this afternoon.

Genesee is also reporting 37 more of the previous positive individuals have completed their 10-day isolation and been removed from mandatory isolation.

The active Covid cases in the two counties are up from 112 six days ago on Sept. 7 to 183 today. That includes Orleans – from 59 to 97 – and Genesee – from 53 to 86.

Press Release, Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments

The Genesee County Health Department will be hosting a free drive-through anti-rabies immunization clinic on Thursday, September 16^th, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Genesee County Fairgrounds (5056 East Main Street, Batavia).

“Rabies continues to be a public health issue in Genesee County. We urge pet owners to take this opportunity to ensure their pets are protected against rabies,” stated Paul Pettit, Public Health Director for Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments (GO Health). “Our drive-through clinics are well organized, run very smoothly and prevent animals from getting into any altercations with other animals.”

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 recommended and please follow all social distancing requirements.

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

The next anti-rabies immunization clinic in Orleans County will be held on October 2nd at the Orleans County Fairgrounds (12690 Rt. 31 in Albion) from 9 to 11:30 a.m. For more information, please contact the Orleans County Health Department: 585-589-3278 or OCPublicHealth@orleanscountyny.gov.

The next anti- rabies immunization clinic in Genesee County will be held on October 14th. For more information, please contact the Genesee County Health Department: 585-344-2580 x5555 or Health.Dept@co.genesee.ny.us.

Genesee and Orleans counties both are reporting more active Covid cases today, two days after they showed a drop from the previous Thursday.

There are 144 active cases in the two counties today, according to the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments. That is up from 112 on Tuesday. Orleans has gone from 59 to 77, and Genesee is up from 53 to 67 since Tuesday.

A week ago there were 166 active cases in the two counties – 96 in Orleans and 70 in Genesee.

The G-O Health Departments in the update today said there are 35 new cases in Orleans since Tuesday. Those new cases include people in the age groups of 0-19, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s and 70s.

There are currently three Orleans residents hospitalized due to Covid.

The county also reported 17 more of the previous positive individuals have completed their 10-day isolation and been removed from mandatory isolation.

Genesee County is reporting 27 new positive cases since Tuesday, and those people are in the age groups of 0-19, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s and 90s.

There are currently 16 Genesee residents hospitalized due to Covid.

The county is reporting 13 more of the previous positive individuals have completed their 10-day isolation and been removed from mandatory isolation.

For more information about Covid from the G-O Health Departments, click here.

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

The Community Health Assessment (CHA) is a document required by public health law that identifies the key health needs and issues of the community through systematic, comprehensive data collection; community conversations; and analysis.

The current CHA includes Genesee, Orleans, and Wyoming counties (GOW) and covers three years (2019-2021). All three health departments along with our community partners will be starting the process of developing the new CHA that will encompass the years 2022-2024.

The Community Health Assessment is developed using a collaborative process of many partners throughout the GOW region. Local hospitals including Rochester Regional Health at United Memorial Medical Center (UMMC), Orleans Community Health (OCH), and Wyoming County Community Health System (WCCHS) along with the Genesee, Orleans, and Wyoming (GOW) County Departments of Public Health work collaboratively with county residents and community based organizations of the GOW Counties to develop the assessment.

“The Community Health Assessment provides us with comprehensive information about the health status, needs and issues that are facing the residents living in our communities,” stated Paul Pettit, Director of Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments. “The information in this assessment helps us develop our Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) and helps direct where our resources should be allocated to best meet the needs of our communities.”

We are seeking feedback on our current Community Health Assessment to help inform the next version of the CHA and welcome any comments and suggestions from community residents and our partners. Click here to see the current CHA and click here to fill out a survey to provide feedback for the Community Health Assessment.

Provided photo: Mark Scotch, 65, of Wisconsin will be coming to Medina on Sept. 29-30 as part of his second annual marathon cycling trip – “The Organ Trail.”

MEDINA – A marathon cyclist from Wisconsin will be coming to Medina on Sept. 29-30 as part of his second annual ride to highlight kidney disease, living donor awareness, and post-donation functionality.

Mark Scotch, 65, from Plover, Wisconsin donated a kidney in September 2020 to a person in New York. Scotch has continued to live a very active lifestyle – with one kidney.

He will begin the second “Organ Trail” bike ride on Sept. 19 in Martha’s Vineyard. From there in Massachusetts, he’ll travel into New York City, go through upstate New York, Ohio, Indiana, Michigan and come back to his hometown in central Wisconsin. He expects to end the ride on Oct. 16.

Scotch will arrive in Medina on Sept. 29 and stay overnight. He will join Orleans Community Health staff and leaders for a news conference on Sept. 30 at the Lake Plains Dialysis Center in Medina.

This will be Scotch’s second marathon bike trip this year to promote the cause. He already rode 1,500 miles in May from Madison, Wisconsin – the home of his transplant center – to Natchitoches, Louisiana, home of his recipient via a voucher donation.

His goal is to raise awareness for living kidney donation and the National Kidney Registry Voucher Program.

“The Organ Trail is all about generating awareness of the need for kidney donors, especially living kidney donors,” Scotch said on the Organ Trail website. “But it’s also about showing people that even with one kidney, you can still lead a life full of activities, even if those activities are sustained and vigorous.”

Genesee reports a death from Covid, and now records 125 Covid deaths during pandemic

The number of active Covid-19 cases in Orleans County has dropped from 96 on Thursday to 59 today, the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments reported.

Genesee also has seen a decline in active cases, from 70 on Thursday to 53 today.

Both counties are seeing recoveries outpace new infections.

Orleans is reporting 28 new cases over the past five days, and 65 people who have completed their 10-day isolation and been removed from mandatory isolation.

In Orleans, the new cases include people in the age groups of 0-19, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s. There are currently two Orleans residents hospitalized due to Covid, the G-O Health Departments said.

Genesee is reporting 48 new cases of Covid since Thursday. The individuals are in the age groups of 0-19, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s. Genesee also is reporting 64 of the previous positive individuals have completed their 10-day isolation and been removed from mandatory isolation.

Genesee currently has 16 residents hospitalized due to Covid. The G-O Health Departments also reported the death of a Genesee resident from Covid, a person over the age of 65. Genesee has now had 125 residents die due to Covid since the pandemic started in March 2020.

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Dr. Surinder Bath, a Medina physician for nearly 47 years, has announced his retirement, effective Sept. 17.

MEDINA – The medical community in Medina is about to see some changes with the announcement of the retirement of longtime Medina physician Dr. Surinder Bath.

On the heels of that news comes an announcement by Oak Orchard Health that the organization will take over Dr. Bath’s office and start a medical practice in Medina.

Dr. Bath started practicing in Medina in 1974. Growing up in a small town in India, he said he thought he would be an engineer, but a cousin convinced him to become a doctor. He trained in internal medicine for two years, studying clinical pathology hematology. He came to the United States, where he studied internal medicine for four years at Mount Sinai Hospital in Cleveland, followed by two years at the Veterans Administration in Dayton, Ohio.

He discovered Medina when he and his wife Daisy were traveling back from a trip to Montreal.

“I found this place to be very peaceful and calm,” Dr. Bath said. “They were looking for an internist, and I liked the place and people here, so I gave it a try. That was 46 years ago.”

He and his wife have three children, two of whom are in the medical profession – one a radiologist and one an internist. Another daughter got her MBA in business administration and marketing from the University of Buffalo.

Dr. Bath said it will be hard to leave Medina, but at the age of 75, it’s time.

“I have been tied to my patients and gave them so much love and care, but I want to spend more time with my family,” he said.

Dr. Surinder Bath is surrounded by his staff members, Elizabeth “Betsy” Phinney, left; and Theresa Gurney. Absent is Vicki Lynn Cotter, who has been in the office nearly 40 years.

Sept. 17 will be Dr. Bath’s last working day and he and his wife will be moving to Georgia. He said he may try to sell his home in Medina, but he also plans to come back to visit in the summers.

“I have very fond memories from here,” he said. “This community has given me so much love, and Orleans Community Health has been so good to me. The staff and nurses at Medina Memorial Hospital are great and have always been so helpful. I will miss this community, my staff and the love my patients gave me.”

He said he has been blessed with a wonderful staff over the years and he will miss them.

His staff includes Elizabeth “Betsy” Phinney, who is secretary and office manager. She has been with Dr. Bath for 13 years. Theresa Gurney, accountant, started in 1989, left for a few years and came back. Vicki Lynn Cotter, who does business accounting and billing, has been with Dr. Bath for almost 40 years.

“We’re happy for him. He’s been a wonderful doctor,” Phinney said. “He is taking the next step in his life, but we are going to be sad to see him go.”

“I came here to help out for two or three months, and 13 years later I’m still here,” Gurney said. “With him it’s never been about the money. It’s always been about the care.”

“Dr. Bath is looking forward to some free time to spend with his family, and to golf, he said.

The Baths also have six grandchildren, four in Georgia and two in California.

The one message he wants to leave the community is to “get vaccinated so we can get over Covid.”

He said there is so much misinformation out there about the vaccine and it is unfounded.

“Getting vaccinated is the safest thing,” he said. “It can save your life and someone else’s, too.”

“I am leaving very happy and saddened,” Dr. Bath said.

Dr. Bath is happy to see Oak Orchard Health taking over his practice.

“My staff will be working with them and the care of my patients will be ongoing,” he said.

Stacie Bridge, chief operating officer at Oak Orchard Health, said they are excited about offering health care in Medina.

“We definitely hope to be there this fall, but we are waiting for approval from the state on the renovations we plan to make,” Bridge said. “We definitely want to be there this fall.”

Oak Orchard Health has offices in Albion, Lyndonville, Warsaw, Hornell, Brockport, Batavia, Alexander and Pembroke.

“We are a federally qualified health center which targets the rural population,” Bridge said.

They offer health care to the uninsured and underinsured in the fields of medical, dental, vision and behavioral health.

Bridge added Oak Orchard Health will be opening a dental practice in Albion.

There are 60 new Covid cases in Orleans County and 33 more in Genesee County since Monday, the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments reported this afternoon.

The number of active cases in the two counties is at 166 today, up from 141 on Monday, 149 on Aug. 26 and 102 on Aug. 23. Since Monday, the active cases in Orleans are up from 64 to 96, while in Genesee they are down from 77 to 70.

The 60 new cases in Orleans include people in the age groups of 0-19, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s.

There are currently four from Orleans who are hospitalized due to Covid, up from two on Monday.

Orleans also has 28 more of the previously positive individuals complete their 10-day isolation and they have been removed from mandatory isolation.

Genesee’s 33 new positive cases of Covid include people in the age groups of 0-19, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s.

Genesee currently has 13 residents hospitalized due to Covid, down from 15 on Monday, according to the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments.

Genesee is reporting 38 of the previous positive individuals have completed their 10-day isolation and been removed from mandatory isolation.

With Orleans County seeing an increase in Covid cases, and the community considered a red zone by the CDC for highest Covid community transmission, Orleans Community Health will be limiting visitors to Medina Memorial Hospital.

The updated guidelines include visiting hours on the Medical-Surgical floor/Transitional Care will be from 1 to 2 p.m. daily and 7 to 8 p.m. Those hours were from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. There also won’t be visitors allowed into the Emergency Department. (Exceptions may be made in end-of-life situations.)

Visitors must abide by the following guidelines:

• All visitors will be required to undergo the Covid-19 screening upon entering the hospital.
• Visitors must wear face coverings at all times (covering mouth and nose), regardless of the visitor or patient vaccination status for influenza or Covid-19.
• Visitors who fail to wear a face covering and other PPE as requested by the facility will be asked to leave the facility.
• Visitors must be 16 years of age or older.
• Once in the facility, visitors must remain in the patient’s room throughout the visit, except when directed to leave by hospital staff during aerosol-generating procedures or other procedures or circumstances for which visitors are usually asked to leave or to use the restroom, and must be appropriately distanced from any other patients or staff.

Department Visitation Guidelines:

• General Visiting on the Medical-Surgical floor/Transitional Care: One visitor may be permitted between the hours of 1 to 2 p.m. or 7 to 8 p.m., except in certain circumstances. On a case-by-case basis, limitations may need to be made due to the clinical condition of the patient or at a patient’s request. In addition, caregiving by family members is encouraged, at the discretion of the family and patient.
• Emergency Department: No Visitors may be permitted, except when necessary to carry out the patient’s treatment. Emergency Department staff will keep visitors informed of the patient’s condition.
• Surgery: One visitor may be permitted and will be provided with a waiting area on the third floor.
• Lab/Radiology: No visitors are permitted at this time. Exceptions include: if the patient is a minor, disabled, or other requirement is needed that hospital associates are unable to provide.
• Ultrasounds: One visitor may be permitted.
• North Wing/Nursing Home Residence: Please review the current policy (click here) or call Randi Rushing for additional details (585) 798-8120.

The following will not be permitted:

• Anyone who reports or exhibits shortness of breath, fever, cough, or other potential Covid-19 symptoms
• Individuals who have an active diagnosis of Covid-19 or who are persons under investigation for Covid-19.
• Individuals wanting to visit a hospital patient who has an active diagnosis of Covid-19 or who is a person under investigation with Covid-19 or had contact with a person who is actively under investigation for Covid-19 within 10 days.
• Individuals under quarantine for any other reason including out-of-state travel as defined by the most current New York State travel advisory.

Delta variant breaks through but few of those people get seriously sick if they are vaccinated

ALBION – Covid-19 cases are on the rise locally, and about 25 percent of those new cases are among people who are vaccinated, said Paul Pettit, the public health director in Genesee and Orleans.

So far in August there have been 452 new Covid cases in the two counties and 112 were among people who were fully vaccinated or 24.8 percent of the total. That includes 17.1 percent of the cases in Orleans so far August – 34 out of 171 – and 30.8 percent in Genesee – 78 out of 253, Pettit said in a news briefing this afternoon.

The vaccines are working, however, because Pettit said few of the vaccinated people who get Covid show serious symptoms. Most are asymptomatic or have minor symptoms.

“It is keeping people out of the hospital,” he said about the vaccine.

He continues to encourage eligible people to get vaccinated if they haven’t already.

The latest Covid surge, after there were few cases in early summer, include people of all ages, including children, Pettit said.

“We do know the Delta variant is likely the cause of it,” Pettit said about the current Covid surge. “We know that it is here.”

Genesee currently has 77 active cases and 15 of those are hospitalized. In Orleans, there are 64 actives cases and two are in the hospital due to Covid.

In the past seven days, Genesee has 114 new cases and a 5.8 percent positivity rate, while Orleans has 55 new Covid cases and a positive test rate of 5.3 percent, Pettit. Those positivity rate are above the state and regional averages.

Pettit said the two counties are lagging behind the regional and state averages for vaccinations. The Health Department continues to make reaching the eligible unvaccinated (those 12 and older) to get the shot, while also preparing to offer booster shots beginning on Sept. 20.

“Our focus truly remains on the unvaccinated,” Pettit said. “We can’t stress enough to get more people vaccinated to protect themselves and their loved ones.”

The Health Department this week is holding get-back-to-school vaccination clinics, including one on Thursday at Albion Central School. Click here for more information.

Pettit also addressed the mandate from Gov. Kathy Hochul and the state Department of Health, requiring students, teachers, staff and visitors inside schools to wear masks. Pettit said the decision frustrated many local school districts that had already developed safety reopening plans.

Pettit said the local districts are committed to have all students back for in-person learning with as few disruptions as possible this school year. The mask mandate has an added benefit of reducing the need to quarantine students if they have been in close contact with another person in school who tests positive for the virus.

“The quarantines were very disruptive to students’ learning,” Pettit said.

NY will require weekly testing for unvaccinated school staff

Press Release, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Office

Governor Kathy Hochul delivers a Covid-19 briefing at the University at Buffalo today. (Photo by Mike Groll/Office of Governor Kathy Hochul)

BUFFALO – Governor Kathy Hochul today announced new measures to combat the Covid-19 Delta variant.

Speaking at the University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine, the Governor announced she will be working with localities, the state health department and the Public Health and Health Planning Council in the days ahead to put in place mandatory weekly Covid-19 testing for unvaccinated public and charter school employees, and to establish a vaccination requirement for all staff at state-regulated facilities and congregate settings.

The governor announced $65 million will be available to local health departments across the state to support the quick and reliable distribution of booster shots.

“Last year every community across the state came together in a profound way to say, ‘we can do this’,” Governor Hochul said. “This war is not over and the Delta variant is a serious threat, especially for people who are still unvaccinated. We all need to remain vigilant to protect each other – and that means coming in to get your shot and booster shot, wearing masks in indoor spaces, and exercising basic safety measures that we are all familiar with by now.”

Getting children back to school where they can learn most effectively and protecting the students, teachers and staff are top priorities for Governor Hochul. Building on the state department of health’s directive requiring universal masking for anyone entering schools, the governor will be working with localities, the department of health and the Public Health and Health Planning Council in the days ahead to implement a mandatory weekly Covid testing for school staff who are not vaccinated.

Following the department of health’s announcement last week that all staff in health care facilities need to be vaccinated, the state is exploring how to expand this requirement to include staff at all state-regulated facilities.

Local health departments will be supporting the distribution of booster shots in New York, enabling them to use their knowledge and workforce to quickly deliver booster shots to their communities. The governor is making $65 million available to local health departments to build the infrastructure for these efforts.

Hospitalizations up from 10 to 15 in Genesee since Thursday

Genesee and Orleans counties combined have 72 new cases of Covid-19 since Thursday, and the two counties also are reporting 72 more people have recovered from Covid, where they completed a 10-day isolation and were removed from mandatory isolation.

While new cases and recoveries are the same, Genesee County has an increase in hospitalizations due to Covid, going from 10 on Thursday to 15 today. Orleans County remains at two people hospitalized due to Covid, according to the Genesee & Orleans County Health Departments.

In the update this afternoon from G-O Health, Orleans has 29 new active cases and those individuals are in the age groups of 0-19, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s and 70s. Orleans also is reporting 29 more recoveries.

In Genesee County, there are 43 new cases and the individuals are in the age groups of 0-19, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s and 90s. The county also is reporting 43 more recoveries.

The two counties combined have 141 active cases, with 64 in Orleans and 77 in Genesee. That compares to 102 a week ago when there were 49 in Orleans and 53 in Genesee. It’s down from the 149 cases on Thursday when Orleans reported 64 active cases and Genesee had 85.

Percent positive for Covid tests: The 7-day positive testing average state-wide is 3.31 percent. It is higher locally with Orleans at 5.4 percent and Genesee at 5.8 percent positive in the past seven days.

‘Your tireless efforts embody public service’ – Lynne Johnson

Photos by Tom Rivers

BATAVIA – Paul Pettit, public health director in Genesee and Orleans counties, speaks during an appreciation luncheon on Wednesday at GCC in Batavia. He praised more than 400 people in the two counties who volunteered and worked at Covid-19 testing and vaccination clinics so far during the pandemic.

The volunteers and municipal workers teamed with the Genesee and Orleans County health Departments to administer about 30,000 doses of Covid-19 vaccines and also do about 10,000 Covid tests during drive-through rapid test clinics.

The volunteers and workers in Orleans County administered 10,736 Covid vaccine doses with most of those at the mass vaccination clinics at the Ridgeway Fire Hall from March through May.

The 117 volunteers and workers in Orleans also administered 3,465 rapid Covid tests at the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds.

“It’s been monumental and we couldn’t have done it without you,” Pettit told the group.

Lynne Johnson, Orleans County Legislature chairwoman, addresses more than 200 people at the luncheon at GCC. The photos on the screens show volunteers and staff at Covid testing and vaccination clinics.

In Genesee, there were 279 volunteers and workers who administered 18,675 vaccine doses and 6,659 rapid Covid tests. There were also 49 other volunteers and workers who assisted in both counties.

“You’re tireless efforts embody public service,” Lynne Johnson, Orleans County Legislature chairwoman, told about 200 people during a luncheon at the GCC.

Paul Pettit said the group of volunteers and workers (typically county employees in other departments, as well as some staff from towns, villages and school districts) will likely be needed again to help administer booster vaccine shots. Pettit would also like to see more already eligible residents step forward and get their initial doses of the vaccine.

He also expects the vaccine, currently only approved for those 12 and older, will soon get clearance for those under age 12 and there could be a need for more mass vaccination clinics

“This is an evolving process,” Pettit said. “We’re still in the pandemic. We’re still taking steps to make sure our community is as safe as we can be.”

Johnson said the volunteers and workers have been critical in the community’s response to Covid so far.

Shelley Stein, Genesee County Legislature chairwoman, said many community members have been selfless in serving others during the pandemic.

Shelley Stein, chairwoman of the Genesee County Legislature, also addressed the group and thanked them for their service and courage, with many stepping up over many months to help administer Covid tests and run the vaccine clinics.

“You came forward for others,” Stein said. “You gave so much more than we could have asked for. God bless you all and thank you.”

The Genesee and Orleans County health Departments put a call for volunteers in October to help run the rapid test clinics which started in November. The mass vaccination clinics started in March, although the vaccine supply was low for the counties then.

It took at least 40 people to run the testing and vaccine clinics, with 60 volunteers and staff at some of the clinics.

“So many people put in so much effort,” said Dr. David Bell, emergency preparedness coordinator for the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments.

The Health Departments continue to run smaller vaccination clinics and offer rapid tests. He thanked GCC and the Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Company for making their facilities available for the vaccinations.

“Having the support of GCC and Ridgeway was invaluable,” Bell said.

State Sen. Ed Rath addressed the group and said he received his vaccination shots at GCC.

“I was amazed at the hard work and professionalism by each and everyone,” he said. “Covid fighters I want to say thank you.”

The volunteers and staff carried on their duties “despite tremendous unknowns,” Rath said.

Paul Pettit speaks from the podium and offer heartfelt appreciation to the staff at the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments. In addition to assisting at the rapid test and mass vaccination clinics, the staff were essential in planning those events and with contact tracing whenever someone tested positive for Covid, which includes 3,275 cases in Orleans and 5,572 in Genesee since March 2020.

“I truly want to thank the staff in Genesee County and Orleans County,” Pettit said. “You truly are the unsung heroes in this pandemic.”

The Emergency Management Office in both counties, the county manager/administrator and each County Legislature also were very supportive in making rapid tests and vaccinations available to the public, Pettit said.

This photo from late April shows Jessica Sutch, an employee with the Job Development Agency in Orleans County, holding a sticker given to people who get vaccinated at a mass clinic at the Ridgeway fire hall. She was among the volunteers for several months at the vaccine clinics and the Covid testing sites before that run by the Health Department.

Jack Welch, Orleans County chief administrative officer, assisted at a rapid test clinic in early January at the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds. He is shown in a driver’s side mirror of a car in line. The volunteers wore lots of personal protective equipment and running the rapid test clinics during the winter.

Dan Doctor, a co-principal at Wise Intermediate School in Medina and the district’s community liaison, served at the rapid test and mass vaccination clinics. He said on Wednesday he felt the testing was the most critical, helping to identify who had the virus and get them and their close contacts in quarantine.

Doctor tested positive before one of the clinics and then had to self-isolate. He was positive despite no symptoms. He said he felt sick after about 10 days but it didn’t last long.

He encourages people to get vaccinated to reduce their risk of getting seriously ill from the virus.

Connie Ferris of Barre has worked as a nurse for 58 years. She agreed to help give the vaccination doses at clinics in both counties.

She said residents, including people from outside the two counties, were very appreciative to get their vaccine doses.

“It’s been wonderful to see the enthusiasm from the people,” she said.

CDC puts Orleans back in red zone for high community transmission

There are 30 new Covid-19 cases in Orleans County since Monday, and 64 more in Genesee. The number of active cases in the two counties has increased from 102 on Monday to 149 today, the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments reported.

The active cases include 64 in Orleans (up from 49 on Monday) and 85 in Genesee (up from 53 on Monday).

In Orleans, the 30 new cases are in the age groups 0-19, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s,  and 60s.

There are currently two residents hospitalized due to Covid. The county is reporting 15 more of the previous positive individuals have completed their 10-day isolation and been removed from mandatory isolation.

The CDC has changed Orleans from an orange zone with “substantial” community spread of Covid to the highest level of red. Genesee County also remains in the red zone.

Genesee County is reporting 64 new positive cases of Covid since Monday. Those new cases include people in the age groups of 0-19, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s.

There are currently 10 Genesee residents hospitalized due to Covid. The Health Departments also reported 21 more of the previous positive individuals completed their 10-day isolation and have been removed from mandatory isolation.

Emergency rooms also treat more people with drug overdose

Provided photo: Melissa Vinyard, a peer advocate at GCASA, shares her story of recovery at Wednesday’s Overdose Awareness Day at Austin Park in Batavia. Vinyard said drugs and alcohol use nearly killed her, but she sought help and now has been sober since Dec. 30, 2017.

By Mike Pettinella, GCASA Publicist

BATAVIA – Over the 12 months prior to September of 2020, there were 90,237 opioid overdose deaths in the United States – a 30 percent increase from the previous year.

In 2020, there were 15 overdose deaths in Genesee County and seven in Orleans County.

Those staggering figures reveal the extent of the epidemic that continues to devastate society.

Healthcare and mental health professionals in Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties on the front lines of this scourge came together on Wednesday afternoon at Austin Park for the annual International Overdose Awareness Day observance.

Representatives of a dozen agencies plus area residents whose lives have been affected by opioid use attended the event, which was to raise awareness and to remember those who have been lost due to an overdose.

Genesee/Orleans Public Health Director Paul Pettit shared that in 2020, 58 people from Genesee County went to the emergency room and 38 from Orleans went to the ER due to drug overdoses – both up from 2019.

“That can be attributed to Covid; people were isolated and feeling alone,” he said.

Pettit had encouraging words about the efforts of the GOW Opioid Task Force, an organization comprised of people from various sectors of the community.

“We’ve been working together for many years and are making great strides,” he said, mentioning an increase in the access to care and the amount of Narcan training being done. “We want to get more people trained. We have a medication that can save lives.”

He said that since 2018, about 3,500 people have been trained.

“We’re making gains but we still have a ways to go,” he said.

John Bennett, executive director of Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse, spoke about the impact of Overdose Awareness Day throughout the world, noting that events such as the one in Batavia are taking place throughout the state and in around 40 countries.

International Overdose Awareness Day was created in 2001 by Sally J. Finn at The Salvation Army in St. Kilda, Melbourne, Australia.

“As we come together today, not only think about those locally who have lost their lives, but this is a worldwide problem that’s killed over a million people,” he said.

Agencies taking part in the event included GO Health, Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse, Erie County Health Department, Spectrum Human Services, The Recovery Station, Wyoming County Mental Health, Fidelis Care, Rochester Regional Healthy, Cornell Cooperative Extension and Horizon Health.

GOW Opioid Task Force Coordinator Christen Ferraro said the Old County Courthouse in Batavia will be lit up on Aug. 31 and signs commemorating awareness day will be placed in the front of the building.