This map from the CDC shows the levels of transmission for each of the counties in the state. Red means there is high transmission, while orange (the next level down) shows substantial transmission and yellow means moderate community spread of Covid-19.

The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now lists Orleans County in the red zone as a community with high transmission.

In Western New York, only Orleans and Monroe counties are in the red zones. Genesee is listed in the orange zone, the next level down, with “substantial” community transmission based on new cases last week.

Wyoming and Livingston counties are at moderate levels or the yellow zone. The CDC map shows nearly the entire state is in either a red or orange zone.

The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments today are reporting 19 new cases in Orleans since Thursday and 27 more in Genesee County.

The number of active cases in each county has increased 26 a week ago in Orleans to 48 today, and 21 in Genesee a week ago to 33 today.

Of the 19 new cases in Orleans, the individuals are in the age groups of 0-19, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s and 70s.

Orleans also is reporting 17 more of the previous positive individuals have completed their 10-day isolation and been removed from mandatory isolation.

There is currently one Orleans County resident hospitalized due to Covid.

In Genesee County there are 27 new positive cases and they are in the age groups of 0-19, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s  and 90s.

Genesee is reporting 16 more of the previous positive individuals have completed their 10-day isolation and have been removed from mandatory isolation.

There are currently two Genesee residents hospitalized due to Covid.

Genesee also reports a death from Covid

The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments also is reporting a death of a Genesee County resident under age 65 due to Covid.

“No other information will be shared to protect the privacy of this individual,” the Health Departments said. “Our deepest sympathy to the family and friends of this person.”

According to the State Department of Health, there have been 124 Covid-related deaths in Genesee County and 83 in Orleans during the pandemic.

G-O Health Departments urge people to get vaccinated; No mask mandate in either county

The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments issued a news release this afternoon about the community Covid spread:

“We continue to encourage everyone to follow the public health prevention precautions as noted below. It is important for those who are not currently vaccinated to talk with their primary care provider to determine whether getting vaccinated is right for them.

“There are currently no masking mandates that have been issued by either county, however, per the CDC recommendations for communities with substantial or high spread of Covid-19, we encourage everyone, vaccinated and unvaccinated, to wear masks when indoors in public and when at crowded outdoor settings.

“Everyone should continue practicing the following public health prevention precautions:

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water.
• If water is not readily available, use hand sanitizer.
• Wash and sanitize frequently shared/touched items.
• Stay 6 feet away from others and avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Avoid crowds and poorly ventilated spaces.
• Wear a face mask indoors in public and crowded outdoor settings.
• Monitor your health daily and stay home if you are experiencing any symptoms.
• Get tested if you are experiencing symptoms and self-isolate until you get your results back. If you test positive for Covid, you are to isolate for 10 days.

“The best way to protect yourself from Covid-19 or health complications from Covid-19 is to get vaccinated,” stated Paul Pettit, public health director in the two counties. “Now is the best time to take advantage of getting vaccinated for COVID-19 before the new school term starts and the weather changes and we start moving back indoors.”

Home testing kits: For those who are using home testing kits, please note that the Health Departments are unable to verify the results and will not be able to provide paperwork for your employer/insurance company.

Home tests that need verification will have to complete a follow-up test with an approved provider for documentation and state reporting purposes. If you do either a home test or a test at approved provider, it is important to remember to self-isolate until you receive test results. For home testing, you are to self-isolate for a minimum of 10 days from onset of symptoms or getting your test result.  Contact your primary care physician for further instructions.

Employees at hospitals, long-term care facilities need first dose by Sept. 27

Press Release, Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Office

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced today that all healthcare workers in New York State, including staff at hospitals and long-term care facilities, including nursing homes, adult care, and other congregate care settings, will be required to be vaccinated against Covid-19 by Monday, September 27.

The State Department of Health will issue Section 16 Orders requiring all hospital, long-term care facilities, and nursing homes to develop and implement a policy mandating employee vaccinations, with limited exceptions for those with religious or medical reasons. To date, 75% of the state’s 450,000 hospital workers, 74% of the state’s 30,000 adult care facility workers, and 68% of the state’s 145,500 nursing home workers have completed their vaccine series. Lt. Governor Kathy Hochul’s administration was briefed prior to the announcement.

“The Delta variant is spreading across the nation and across New York – new daily positives are up over 1000% over the last six weeks, and over 80 percent of recent positives in New York State are linked to the Delta variant,” Cuomo said. “We must now act again to stop the spread. Our healthcare heroes led the battle against the virus, and now we need them to lead the battle between the variant and the vaccine.”

Cuomo also announced that the Department of Health has authorized a third Covid-19 vaccine dose for New Yorkers with compromised immune systems, following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommendation last week. Eligible New Yorkers can receive their third dose 28 days after the completion of their two-dose vaccine series, effective immediately.

The CDC is currently recommending that moderately to severely immunocompromised people receive an additional dose, including people who have:

• Been receiving active cancer treatment for tumors or cancers of the blood;
• Received an organ transplant and are taking medications to suppress the immune system;
• Received a stem cell transplant within the last 2 years or are taking medicine to suppress the immune system;
• Moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency (such as DiGeorge syndrome, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome);
• Advanced or untreated HIV infection;
• Active treatment with high-dose corticosteroids, cancer chemotherapy that causes sever immunosuppression, or other medications that may suppress your immune response.

New Yorkers should contact their healthcare provider about whether getting an additional dose is appropriate for them at this time.

Event is chance to raise awareness and remember the lives lost due to overdose

Press Release, GCASA

BATAVIA – Backed by that clear but hard-hitting mission statement, members of the GOW Opioid Task Force will be coming together on August 25 to host their version of the International Overdose Awareness Day observation.

The event is scheduled for 4 to 7 p.m. at Austin Park in Batavia.

“We’re thankful to be able to welcome everyone to join us in recognizing the significance of the opioid epidemic upon the residents of our community,” said Christen Ferraro, project coordinator for the GOW Opioid Task Force, which is funded by the Greater Rochester Health Foundation. “Those in attendance will be able to hear first-hand from those who have experienced loss due to overdoses.”

Representatives of local human services agencies will be on hand to share information, and free Narcan training and kits will be offered, Ferraro said. Free food and refreshments will be served.

Attendees also will be offered the opportunity to leave a heart on the task force’s memory board for a deceased loved one.

International Overdose Awareness Day was created in 2001 by Sally J. Finn at The Salvation Army in St. Kilda, Melbourne, Australia, and now is held on an annual basis. Locally, it took place virtually last year due to Covid-19. In 2020, there were 602 Overdose Awareness Day events held in 37 countries.

To register for this year’s event, click here. Those interested in having a vendor table are asked to contact Ferraro at cferraro@gcasa.org.

Press Release, Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments

Do you know a dad that has been in a public place with their baby and unable to find a changing table inside the men’s restroom?

Changing table inequalities have been in existence for years. In 2018, they came to the forefront when a father from Florida posted a picture on social media showing that he had to squat and change his son’s diapers on his lap because there wasn’t a changing table available in the men’s restroom.

A nationwide survey found that 9 out of 10 dads have gone into a public restroom unable to find a changing table. As a result, Pampers created the “Love the Change” campaign to provide changing tables to businesses and not-for-profits across the United States to install in men’s restrooms. Pampers has already donated 3,557 changing tables, but they are pledging to donate 1,000 more by the end of 2021.

The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments (GO Health) are collaborating with Pampers to identify local businesses and not-for-profits throughout Genesee and Orleans counties that would be interested in receiving a changing table for their men’s restroom. This is 100 percent free of charge and the only requirement is that businesses install their own changing table.

If you are a not-for-profit or business owner that is interested in receiving a changing table for your men’s room, please contact the Genesee County Health Department by calling 585-344-2580 ext. 5578 or emailing Kayla.Shuknecht@co.genesee.ny.us.

Orleans has gone from 3 cases on Aug. 2 to 46 on Aug. 12

The number of active Covid-19 cases continues to rise locally after there were nearly no cases about a month ago.

Orleans County had 46 active cases on Thursday and Genesee was at 26 for a total of 72 in the two counties. On July 8, there was only 1 active case in both counties (in Orleans), according to data from the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments.

In an update on Thursday, the Health Departments said there are 27 new positive cases of Covid in Orleans since Monday, and those individuals are in the age groups of 0-19, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s and 70s.

One resident from Orleans is hospitalized due to Covid. Orleans also is reporting 7 more of the previous positive individuals completed their 10-day isolation and have been removed from mandatory isolation and are no longer active cases.

In Genesee, there are 18 new cases since Monday. The individuals are in the age groups of 0-19, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s.

There are 2 from Genesee currently hospitalized due to Covid. Genesee also is reporting 11 more of the previous positive individuals have completed their 10-day isolation and have been removed from mandatory isolation and are no longer active cases.

The federal CDC currently has Orleans County considered to have “substantial level of community transmission” while Genesee is at the lower moderate level.

Monroe County has been elevated to “high” rates of transmission, a level above Orleans.

Orleans County is considered to have “substantial level of community transmission,” according to CDC Covid Data Tracker (click here).

The number of active cases in the county has increased in the past week from 3 on Aug. 2 to 26 today. Genesee County is considered to be at “moderate level of transmission” and the active cases are up from 7 a week ago to 21 today.

The change in designation for Orleans isn’t a surprise, said Paul Pettit, public health director in Orleans and Genesee counties. That’s because Niagara, Erie and Monroe counties are all considered to be at the substantial level of transmission.”

The uptick of new Covid cases in both counties includes some cases where the individuals are fully vaccinated.

“This is not unexpected as we are seeing this across the state and nation,” Pettit said. “This is what viruses do. Even for those who are fully vaccinated there is a chance the individual may become infected with Covid-19, especially due to the high transmission rate of the Delta Variant. Although being fully vaccinated may not completely protect someone from getting Covid-19, the vast majority of those who have been fully vaccinated and have become infected had little or no symptoms or serious complications.”

Pettit and the local health department urge people eligible for the vaccine to get it if they haven’t already. The vaccination is free and clinics are held weekly at each of the health departments (click here  to see clinics and locations).

Pharmacies and health care providers also provide the Covid-19 vaccine. Check www.vaccines.gov for a location nearby.

Per the CDC recommendations for communities with substantial or high spread of Covid-19, the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments encourages everyone to continue, vaccinated and unvaccinated, to continue practicing the following public health prevention precautions:

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water.
• If water is not readily available, use hand sanitizer.
• Wash and sanitize frequently shared/touched items.
• Stay 6 feet away from others and avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Avoid crowds and poorly ventilated spaces.
• Wear a face mask indoors in public if you are in an area of substantial or high transmission.
• Monitor your health daily and stay home if you are experiencing any symptoms.
• Get tested if you are experiencing symptoms and self-isolate until you get your results back. If you test positive for Covid, you are to isolate for 10 days.

“The best way to protect yourself from Covid-19 or health complications from Covid-19 is to get vaccinated,” Pettit said. “Now is the best time to take advantage of getting vaccinated for Covid-19 before the new school term starts and the weather changes and we start moving back indoors.”

The number of people getting first dose in vaccine in past week includes 230 in Orleans for 18,427 total receiving vaccines out of 40,612 residents (45.4 percent), and 265 in Genesee for 29,132 total out of 57,511 residents (50.7 percent).

In Orleans the 230 was up from the number in the previous two weeks.

• Week ending Aug. 9: 230 in Orleans, 265 in Genesee
• Week ending Aug. 2: 166 in Orleans, 330 in Genesee
• Week ending July 26: 92 in Orleans, 142 in Genesee

Press Release, Oak Orchard Health

Provided photos: Stacie Bridge, chief operating officer at Oak Orchard Health, gives a thumbs up after getting her Covid-19 vaccine.

Nationwide, health centers provide preventive and primary care services to almost 30 million people and have continued to do so while facing a global pandemic.

In 2019, Oak Orchard Health served over 23,339 patients and that number continues to grow when we added three new locations in 2020 – Batavia, Pembroke and Alexander.

Community health centers are not just healers, we are innovators who look beyond medical charts to address the factors that may cause poor health such as poverty, homelessness, substance use, mental illness, lack of nutrition, and unemployment.

Over the past year, we’ve cared for our community during the pandemic whether they were our patients or not. Oak Orchard was one of the first to do drive-through Covid-19 testing in our health center parking lots for people with symptoms and without.

“We have done over 6,800 Covid tests and 5,600 vaccinations,” said Dr. Mary Obear, Chief Clinical Officer. “And consultations with patients throughout the pandemic to advise them on how to care for themselves and their loved ones.”

Oak Orchard used telehealth technology to communicate with patients who needed to “see” their providers. And as soon as vaccines were available, Oak Orchard created vaccine events where people could get vaccinated. All while ensuring that farmworkers had the healthcare they needed since they are essential workers.

Dr. Mary Obear

“We are proud to employ 275 people and have contributed significantly to the economies of Monroe, Orleans, Steuben, Wyoming and Genesee counties,” said Mary Ann Pettibon, CEO, Oak Orchard Health.

Oak Orchard Health

Originally founded in 1966, 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, Lyndonville, Hornell and Warsaw.

The number of Covid-19 cases has jumped in Genesee and Orleans counties, especially in the past few days.

About a month ago on July 8 there was only one active case in the two counties, with one in Orleans and none in Genesee.

On Friday, there were 34 active cases in the two counties – 14 in Genesee and 20 in Orleans. On Tuesday there were 10 cases in the two counties, the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments reported.

Here are some daily updates of the active cases in the two counties the past month:

• July 8: 0 in Genesee, 1 in Orleans (1 in 2 counties)
• July 12: 4 in Genesee, 8 in Orleans (12 in 2 counties)
• July 15: 5 in Genesee, 9 in Orleans (14 in 2 counties)
• July 19: 4 in Genesee, 8 in Orleans (12 in 2 counties)
• July 22: 5 in Genesee, 4 in Orleans (9 in 2 counties)
• July 26: 3 in Genesee, 6 in Orleans (9 in 2 counties)
• July 29: 4 in Genesee, 6 in Orleans (10 in 2 counties)
• Aug. 2: 7 in Genesee, 3 in Orleans (10 in 2 counties)
• Aug. 5: 11 in Genesee, 10 in Orleans (21 in 2 counties)
• Aug. 6: 14 in Genesee, 20 in Orleans (34 in 2 counties)

“The Delta variant is the dominant strain of Covid-19 circulating in the United States right now and presumably it is here locally,” said Kristine Voss, public information office for the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments. “Currently, genetic sequencing to differentiate between variants is not widely available.”

There is currently one Orleans County resident hospitalized from Orleans, and none from Genesee.

The daily Covid cases state-wide are up 10-fold in the past month. On July 6 there were 307 new cases reported in the state, and on Friday there were 3,700.

Local and state health officials urge unvaccinated people to get the vaccine. There will be several vaccination clinics next week in Genesee and Orleans, timed to help get children 12 and older vaccinated for start the school year. For more information on those clinics, click here to be directed to the Health Department website.

Press Release, Genesee County Health Department

BATAVIA – The Genesee County Health Department is seeking information about the location of a dog and its owners following a dog bite incident on Saturday, July 17, around noon at Home Depot in Batavia (4181 Veterans Memorial Drive).

The dog is described as a small black dog on a leash. The dog’s owners were described as a male and female, approximately 40 years of age or younger. The employee was near register #2 and asked the owners if they could pet their dog. The owners said yes and the dog then bit the employee on their right hand. The owners were aware that the dog had bit the employee and asked if they were OK. The employee indicated that they were OK so the owners and dog proceeded to leave the store.

It is important to locate the dog to determine whether or not it is current on its rabies shot. If the health status is not identified, post-exposure rabies shots will be offered to the victim.

If you have information about the location of the dog and its owner, please contact the Genesee County Health Department at 585-344-2580 ext. 5555.

It is important to remember that dogs may act protective in unknown places and situations, so “love your own…leave the rest alone.” All wild and unknown animals (even dogs and cats) should be avoided whenever possible since the possibility of exposure to rabies can occur anywhere and anytime.

Press Release, Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments

BATAVIA – The Genesee County Health Department will be hosting a free drive-through anti-rabies immunization clinic on Thursday, Aug. 12, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Genesee County Fairgrounds (5056 East Main Street, Batavia). This event is open to Orleans County residents.

“Animal rabies continues to be a serious public health problem in Genesee County,” said Paul Pettit, public health director in Genesee and Orleans counties. “We remind all residents to make sure that their animals are immunized against rabies and that their vaccinations are kept up to date.”

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 you time, 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 Sept. 16. For more information, please contact the Genesee County Health Department: 585-344-2580 x.5555 or Health.Dept@co.genesee.ny.us.

“Please take advantage of this opportunity,” Pettit said. “Rabies 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.”

‘It is important for all that are currently eligible to get their vaccine now to ensure we have the best protection and are successful in having in-person learning this school year.’ – Paul Pettit, public health director

The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments will be offering Covid-19 vaccines next week as part of a push to have children 12 and older get the vaccine before school starts in September.

The Pfizer vaccine will be offered at the clinics, which is approved for everyone 12 years of age and older. Covid-19 vaccines are both safe and effective, the local Health Departments said.

“The back-to-school pop-up vaccine clinics are a great way for our youth and young adults 12 years of age and older to conveniently get the vaccine before school starts,” said Paul Pettit, public health director for the two counties.

Each clinic is open to the public and walk-ins will be accepted. Appointments are strongly encouraged and can be made through the links in this article. Anyone under the age of 18 must have a parent or guardian with them to receive the vaccine. The second dose of the vaccine will be offered three weeks after the first shot at the same school during the same time.

“It is important for all that are currently eligible to get their vaccine now to ensure we have the best protection and are successful in having in-person learning this school year,” Pettit said.  “Getting vaccinated against Covid-19 is the most effective way to protect yourself and others.  Vaccinated individuals continue to represent a very small amount of the total cases and current transmission rates so we need to continue to get as many people vaccinated as possible.”

The schedule includes:

• Monday, Aug. 9, from 9 to 11 a.m. – Pembroke Junior/Senior High School, 8750 Alleghany Rd., Corfu, NY 14036. Click here for an appointment.

• Monday, Aug. 9, from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. – LeRoy Wolcott Street School, 2 Trigon Park, Le Roy, NY 14482. Click here for an appointment.

• Tuesday, Aug. 10, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. – Medina High School, 2 Mustang Drive, Medina, NY 14103. Click here for an appointment.

• Tuesday, Aug. 10, from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. – Byron-Bergen Jr/Sr HS Cafeteria, 6917 W Bergen Rd., Bergen, NY 14416. Click here for an appointment.

• Wednesday, Aug. 11, from 9 to 11 a.m. – Notre Dame High School, 73 Union St., Batavia, NY 14020. Click here for an appointment.

• Wednesday, Aug. 11, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. – Genesee County Health Dept., 3837 W Main Street Rd., Batavia, NY 14020. Click here for an appointment.

• Thursday, Aug. 12, from 9 to 11 a.m. – Charles D’Amico High School in Albion, 302 East Ave., Albion, NY 14411. Click here for an appointment.

• Thursday, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. – Orleans County Health Dept., 14016 NY-31, Suite 101, Albion, NY 14411. Click here for an appointment.

Batavia Veterans Home among the sites with the new state requirement; Cuomo urges local governments to require employees be vaccinated or tested for Covid

Press Release, Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Office

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that patient-facing healthcare workers at state-run hospitals will be required to get vaccinated for Covid-19 by Labor Day.

There will not be an option to be tested in lieu of vaccination for these patient-facing healthcare workers. The Governor also announced that all New York State employees—about 130,000 people—will be required to get vaccinated for Covid-19 by Labor Day. State employees who do not get vaccinated will be required to be tested for Covid-19 on a weekly basis. New York State is working with state unions to implement the requirement quickly and fairly.

“New Yorkers have displayed tremendous dedication and resilience to defeat the Covid-19 pandemic across the state, but vaccination rates aren’t keeping pace with the Delta variant and we need to act now,” Governor Cuomo said. “That’s why we’re requiring everyone who works in a state-run hospital and interacts with patients to get vaccinated. New York is taking its vaccination effort a step further and requiring all state employees to get the shot or be tested weekly, and we look forward to working with our sisters and brothers in the labor movement to implement that quickly and effectively by Labor Day. Our healthcare heroes have led the way all through this terrible crisis, so let’s get vaccinated, save lives and beat this beast for once and for all.”

The Governor also called on the FDA to expedite final approval of the vaccine and end emergency use authorization restrictions. Governor Cuomo also urged local governments to require all employees to be vaccinated or submit to testing by Labor Day. If the numbers continue to increase, school districts in affected areas should also strongly consider taking further action.

State-run hospitals and facilities include:

• Batavia Veterans Home
• SUNY Stony Brook
• SUNY Upstate
• SUNY Downstate
• Long Island Veterans Home at Stony Brook
• Helen Hayes Hospital
• SUNY College of Optometry
• Montrose Veterans Home
• St. Albans Veterans Home
• Oxford Veterans Home

New York State continues to promote and expand access to the vaccine, particularly in communities with lower vaccination rates. On July 26, Governor Cuomo announced the allocation of $15 million from the New York State budget to promote vaccination in communities across the state that were hardest-hit by the Covid-19 pandemic. The funds will be used to strengthen communication, expand public education and enhance ongoing outreach efforts throughout diverse communities.

UPDATE at 3:19 p.m.: Michael Powers, president of NYSCOPBA (New York State Corrections Officers Benevolent Association), issued this statement: “It’s disheartening that an administration that touts itself being NY Smart, would take such a drastic measure without any input from the individuals this directly impacts. Just a month ago, the State celebrated the lifting of restrictions with fireworks shows and now today’s about-face. It’s time that we stop making decisions in a vacuum and start including stakeholders.”

2 local counties continue to lag behind state vaccination rate

The Genesee and Orleans County health Departments will both have Covid-19 vaccines available at the county fairs in both communities this coming week.

“The fair is a perfect place to reach members of our community and this is a great opportunity for residents that have not been vaccinated yet, to conveniently get vaccinated while they are visiting the fair,” said Paul Pettit, public health director in the two counties.

The vaccine schedule includes:

Orleans County Fair

• Tuesday, July 27, from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, July 28, from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
• Thursday, July 29, from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Friday, July 30, from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Saturday, July 31, from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Genesee County Fair

• Monday, July 26, from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, July 27, from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, July 28, from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
• Thursday, July 29, from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Friday, July 30, from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The vaccines will be available for free at both fairs. The one shot Johnson and Johnson will be available as well as the two-dose Pfizer vaccine. The second dose of Pfizer will be scheduled at the health department in each county.

The Pfizer vaccine is authorized for those that are 12 and older, while the Johnson and Johnson vaccine can be administered to people that are 18 and older. Everyone under the age of 18 seeking vaccination must have a parent or guardian with them to provide permission.

“The vaccination rates in both Genesee and Orleans counties are slowly increasing, but we are still lagging behind New York State,” Pettit. “The majority of the cases we are seeing in both counties are people that are unvaccinated.”

The federal CDC reports percent of New York residents 18 and older with at least one vaccine shot to be 74.3 percent. In Orleans, 54.2 percent of those 18 and older have had at least one vaccine shot, while 61.6 percent have had at least one shot in Genesee.

Anyone who is interested in being vaccinated can stop by the county emergency preparedness and health department trailers and choose the vaccine that is best for them, the local health departments said.

“There is a lot of misinformation out there about the vaccines, so health department staff will be available to answer any questions or concerns that residents have,” the health departments said in a news release.

The local health departments reported on Thursday there were 4 active Covid cases in Orleans and 5 in Genesee. On July 15, there were 9 active cases in Orleans and 5 in Genesee. On July 8, there was 1 active case in Orleans and none in Genesee.

People who encounter rabies vaccine baits encouraged to leave them undisturbed

This map shows the target areas for sending rabies vaccine baits in New York State.

Press Release, Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments

New York will once again be taking part in a nationally coordinated effort to halt the spread of raccoon rabies in 16 states.

Ongoing field evaluation of a new oral rabies vaccine (ORV) called ONRAB will occur in Clinton, Essex counties in the Empire State as part of an evaluation that also includes parts of northern Vermont and New Hampshire.  Additionally, evaluations will also occur in Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Jefferson, Lewis, Niagara, Oneida, Onondaga, Orleans, Oswego, St. Lawrence, and Wyoming counties.

These sites were selected in part because of ongoing collaborations with partners from the Provinces of Quebec and Ontario, Canada in the fight against rabies to protect human and animal health and reduce significant costs associated with living with rabies across broad geographic areas.  Aerial and hand distribution of baits will take place in New York from July 26 through August 24.

The ONRAB bait consists of a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) blister pack, containing the vaccine. To make the baits attractive, the blister packs are coated with a sweet attractant that includes vegetable-based fats, wax, icing sugar, vegetable oil, artificial marshmallow flavor, and dark-green food-grade dye.  Humans and pets cannot get rabies from contact with the bait. However, people who encounter baits directly are asked to leave them undisturbed.  Should contact with bait occur, immediately rinse the area with warm water and soap and contact your local health department at 585-344-2580 ext. 5555 for Genesee County or 585-589-3278 for Orleans County.

Please do not attempt to remove a bait from your dog’s mouth. The bait will not harm the dog. If you have additional questions related to the field evaluation in New York, please contact the Wildlife Services office in Rensselaer, NY at (518) 268-2289.

Rabies is a serious public health concern because if left untreated it is invariably fatal. Costs associated with detection, prevention and control of rabies conservatively exceed $500 million annually.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, greater than 90 percent of reported rabies cases in the United States are in wildlife. The cooperative USDA, APHIS, Wildlife Services, National Rabies Management Program (NRMP) was established in 1997 to prevent the further spread of wildlife rabies in the U.S. by containing and eventually eliminating the virus in terrestrial mammals.

The majority of the NRMP efforts are focused on controlling raccoon rabies, which continues to account for most of the reported wildlife rabies cases in the U.S. Raccoon rabies occurs in all states east of the established ORV zone that extends from Maine to northeastern Ohio to central Alabama. Continued access to oral vaccine and bait options that are effective in all target wildlife species remains critical to long term success.

During 2011, the NRMP worked with other Federal, State, and local partners to conduct the first raccoon ORV field trial in the U.S. in over 20 years. This field trial was designed to test the safety and immunogenicity of the oral human adenovirus-rabies glycoprotein recombinant vaccine ONRAB (Artemis Technologies, Guelph, Ontario, Canada), which has been successfully integrated into comprehensive rabies control programs that resulted in elimination of raccoon rabies from Canada.

Encouraging results from the U.S. trial in West Virginia represented a major milestone that led to expanded evaluations in 4 additional states (NH, NY, OH, and VT) during 2012-2020. In 2021, the use of ONRAB will further expand into two additional states (PA and TN).  Data from these evaluations will support licensing of this vaccine for broader, more aggressive management of raccoon rabies by the NRMP and partners, with the goal of eliminating the variant of the rabies virus that cycles in raccoons.

Press Release, Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Office

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that applications are now open for the New York State Public Health Corps Fellowship Program, a first-in-the-nation program that will assist with immediate Covid-19 response and vaccination efforts and strengthen local and statewide workforce capacities required to respond to future public health emergencies.

This program will provide up to 1,000 full-time, paid positions with placements at the New York State Department of Health, local health departments except for New York City, or other public health partners throughout the state. Individuals are encouraged to apply by clicking here.

Fellows will complete online coursework and receive a Public Health Essentials Certificate from Cornell University, as outlined in the Governor’s 2021 State of the State Address.

“We are teaming up with Cornell University to train and educate the next generation of public health professionals, who will be ready to hit the ground running and help their communities if and when another public health emergency hits,” Cuomo said. “I encourage everyone who is interested to apply for this first-in-the-nation program and become a part New York’s emergency public health and preparedness efforts.”

Fellows selected for the program will include recent graduates and students advanced in their graduate public health studies; individuals from nursing, medical, dentistry, pharmaceutical and allied health programs; retired medical professionals; emergency preparedness and other New Yorkers who will receive an intensive public health training curriculum developed by Cornell University.

Once selected for the New York State Public Health Corps Fellowship Program, fellows will complete Cornell University’s Public Health Essentials Certificate Program, offered by the Master of Public Health Program. The program will assist in New York’s ongoing Covid-19 vaccination and response operations and establish an emergency response public health capacity that lasts beyond the current pandemic.

“This is an exciting opportunity to build upon the knowledge and expertise of the State’s public health workforce and the health care community to enhance our current Covid-19 response capabilities, engage New Yorkers who have shared our experience fighting this pandemic over the past year, support the return to essential routine public health activities and cultivate a new generation of public health professionals,” said State Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker.