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previous positive individuals completed their 10-day isolation and have been removed from mandatory isolation and are no longer active cases.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positive individuals have completed their 10-day isolation and have been removed from mandatory isolation and are no longer active cases.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.

The number of active Covid-19 cases in Genesee and Orleans counties is down to 1, with none in Genesee and the 1 in Orleans, according to the Genesee & Orleans County Health Departments.

The local health departments provided the update on Thursday. On Tuesday there was also 1 case in the two counties, but it was in Genesee.

The Covid cases in the two counties have steadily dropped. On July 1, there were 4 cases in the two counties, with 2 in both Genesee and Orleans. On June 4, there were 22 active cases, with 11 in both counties.

On May 28, there were 78 cases with 33 in Genesee and 45 in Orleans, and 108 on May 14 with 43 in Genesee and 65 in Orleans.

On January 7, the number of active cases in the two counties topped 500 with 279 in Orleans and 238 in Genesee.

Press Release, New York State Association of Counties

ALBANY – The New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC) and the New York State Association of County Coroners and Medical Examiners (NYSACCME) announced that counties are preparing to deploy settlement funds to ramp up the battle against addiction, overdoses, and deaths caused by the ongoing opioid epidemic.

The announcement follows a year that saw a significant resurgence in opioid-related deaths, with a record 81,230 fatal overdoses between May 2019 and May 2020, according to the CDC. The highest increase in opioid deaths, driven by fentanyl, is among Black Americans, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

“From ‘first responder’ law enforcement receiving calls for help, to the ‘last responder’ Coroners and Medical Examiners confirming the cause of death, local government officials have been witnesses to the pain and devastation of an opioid epidemic that was raging before Covid and has only grown worse since,” said Jack Marren, NYSAC President and Ontario County Board Chair. “The recent settlements, coupled with the creation of a dedicated Opioid Settlement Fund, will at some point in the future provide a fresh influx of resources for the treatment, education and prevention efforts that are critical to ending this epidemic.”

In a news conference on Thursday morning, NYSAC and NYSACCME resurfaced the See the Signs Save a Life campaign that was designed by Trellis Marketing to combat the scourge of opioid addiction in communities across the state by raising awareness of the warning signs of possible opiate addiction. The campaign, which was put on hold due to the Covid-19 pandemic, was commission by the two groups and was broadcast briefly across the state and on social media. Watch the video by clicking here.

“By the time a person suffering from opiate addiction reaches a county coroner or medical examiner, it’s too late,” said Scott M. Schmidt, Orleans County chief coroner and president of New York State Association of County Coroners and Medical Examiners. “Tragically, over the last year we have seen a frightening resurgence in the number of our fellow New Yorkers who have lost their battle with opiate addiction, and we’ve decided we must redouble our efforts to prevent more of our sons, daughters, brothers and sisters from succumbing to this terrible scourge.”

“Our counties have been fighting the opioid epidemic for more than a decade and it is time that those manufacturers and distributors who are responsible for marketing these addicting and deadly pharmaceuticals in our communities be held accountable and help us put an end to this crisis,” said Daniel P. McCoy, Albany County Executive and President of Count Executives of America.

“Counties cover every aspect of the battle against the opioid epidemic, starting with 9-1-1 centers and sheriff’s deputies, proceeding to health departments and mental health programs, and often tragically leading to our jails and county coroners. With recent settlements and legislation, we are now in a better position to support the individuals and families caught up in addiction before it’s too late,” said Marcus Molinaro, President of the New York State County Executives Association and Dutchess County Executive.

Additionally, NYSAC encouraged its member counties to support the Purdue Bankruptcy proposal.

“Attorney General Tish James recently announced the state of New York will support the plan, and so too should the counties. Though the proposal is far from perfect and can never heal the death and destruction caused by the production and overuse of opioids, it provides equitable funding on a national basis,” said NYSAC Executive Director Stephen Acquario. “The Purdue Bankruptcy proposal injects funding immediately and for the foreseeable future and can better help end the vicious cycle of addiction and avoids prolonged litigation and delay. Our goal was always to abate the harm. And because NYS recently enacted a Opioid Abatement Fund, these proceeds will go into direct deposit to this fund and will be used only for prevention, treatment and recovery programs.”

NYSAC and its member counties have been battling the opioid epidemic for many years through several agencies including county social services, health departments, law enforcement, jails, 9-1-1 dispatch, district attorneys, public defenders, probation, and coroners and medical examiners.

New York has reached a milestone in the push to get eligible residents, those 12 and older, vaccinated against Covid-19.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Tuesday announced the state is at a 70 percent vaccination rate for those eligible. This includes people who have had at least one vaccination dose.

The state on June 15 was at a 70 percent rate for those 18 and older. On that date, Cuomo lifted most Covid-19 restrictions. The state is currently at 72.6 percent with at least one vaccination dose who are 18 and older.

“We continue to fight this virus by making sure every single eligible New Yorker gets vaccinated for Covid-19, and our state’s ability to beat it for good depends on getting shots in arms,” Cuomo said. “I urge everyone who hasn’t yet taken the shot to do so today—appointments, including walk-ins, are available at sites across the state.”

In Orleans County, 53.4 percent of residents 18 and older have had at least one vaccine dose. Orleans had the lowest vaccination rate on March 24 among all 62 counties. Orleans was at 19.2 percent on march 24, the lowest vaccination rate in the state.

Orleans is now at 53.4 percent of those 18 and older. That is now ahead of seven counties, but about 20 percentage points behind the state average.

Here is a list of counties below 55 percent of those 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose:

• Delaware, 54.5 percent
• Wyoming, 54.0 percent
• Chemung, 53.7 percent
• Orleans, 53.4 percent
• Seneca, 53.0 percent
• Steuben, 52.8 percent
• Lewis, 52.2 percent
• Cattaraugus, 52.1 percent
• Fulton, 52.1 percent
• Tioga, 50.4 percent
• Allegany, 44.5 percent

Here are the vaccination rates in WNY counties (18 and older with at least one dose):

• Monroe, 71.9 percent
• Erie, 70.1 percent
• Niagara, 65.2 percent
• Genesee, 60.5 percent
• Livingston, 58.6 percent
• Chautauqua, 58.1 percent
• Wyoming, 54.0 percent
• Orleans, 53.4 percent
• Cattaraugus, 52.1 percent
• Allegany, 44.5 percent

All 3 vaccines available at clinics in Albion, Batavia

Press Release, Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments

This week, Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments (GO Health) are hosting Covid-19 vaccination clinics at their respective health departments.

For the first time, each clinic will offer all three vaccines, Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson (J&J). The Pfizer vaccine is available for anyone 12 years of age and older and the J&J and Moderna vaccine is available for anyone 18 years of age and older. J&J is one dose and Moderna and Pfizer are two doses.

• Genesee County will hold its vaccination clinic on Wednesday, June 30, from 1:30p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at 3837 West Main Street Rd. in Batavia.

• Orleans County will hold its clinic on Thursday, July 1, from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the County Office Building, 14016 State Route 31, Suite 101.

Both clinics are available for walk-ins and registration. If you are interested in making an appointment, visit the GO Health website by clicking here.

“We want to continue to provide opportunities for our residents to get vaccinated as we try to increase vaccination rates for each county,” stated Paul Pettit, Public Health Director for the two counties. “According to the Finger Lakes Vaccine Hub, Orleans County is currently at 51.2% and Genesee County is at 55.6% of population (12+) with at least one dose. Our goal is to vaccinate as many residents as possible.”

If you are a business/church/organization that is interested in hosting a vaccination clinic, please fill out the survey (click here) and one of our staff members will be in contact with you.

Rapid Testing: For those who are seeking testing, both health departments provide free rapid testing for those without symptoms at the respective Health Departments.

For Genesee County, a rapid test drive-through clinic is scheduled for June 30th from 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at County Building #2, 3837 West Main St. Road, Batavia. Registration is required. To register for testing at the Genesee Test Clinic, click here.

For Orleans County, a rapid test clinic is scheduled for July 1st from 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the Orleans County Health Department at 14016 Rt. 31 West, Albion. Registration is required. To register for the Orleans Test Clinic, click here.

For Covid-19 inquiries, those that do not have internet, vaccine/testing registration assistance and questions related to testing and vaccines, please call (585) 344-2580 ext.5559 for Genesee County and (585) 589-2762 for Orleans County.