Press Release, Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments

April 5-11, 2021 is National Public Health Week and this year’s theme is called “Building Bridges to Better Health.”

This is the time to recognize the contribution of public health and highlight issues that are important to improving the health of our community.

“Public health has been at the forefront this past year due to the highly visible response of Covid-19,” said Paul Pettit, public health firector for Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments (GO Health). “However, public health has been promoting, protecting and preventing illness and disease in our communities along with our community partners for many years.”

The GO Health team reminds everyone to take a moment to think about your health and the health of our community. Although Covid-19 has been the primary focus this past year, it is also important to remember to prioritize preventative health measures such as:

• Cancer screenings for breast, colorectal (colon), prostate and skin
• Regular well-being and well child visits
• Blood pressure, diabetes and cholesterol tests

It is also important to prioritize your own physical and mental health by:

• Eating a well-balanced diet
• Engaging in daily exercise (walking, running, dancing, taking the stairs, biking)
• Avoiding tobacco/nicotine use and excessive alcohol use
• Getting at least 8 hours of sleep each night
• Participating in activities you enjoy
• Connecting with others, even if we are physically apart

GO Health hopes that with these reminders, we can work together to build a stronger, healthier community where even though we may be physically distant, we are working together to stay healthy and promoting the health of our community.

“Since it is National Public Health Week, I would like to take the time to thank our GO Health team and community volunteers for their dedication and commitment to our community over the past year,” Pettit said. “We celebrate and recognize you for your perseverance and resilience during such a challenging time in public health.”

Orleans and Genesee counties are each reporting 10 new confirmed cases of Covid-19. Those 20 cases reported today bring the total in the two counties to 7,380 in the past 13 months of the pandemic. That includes 4,758 in Genesee and 2,622 in Orleans.

In Orleans County the 10 new positive cases reported today are in the West Region (Yates, Ridgeway, Shelby), Central Region (Carlton, Gaines, Albion, Barre) and East Region (Kendall, Murray, Clarendon).

The individuals are in the age groups of 0-19, 20s, 30s, 40s, 60s and 70s. One of the new positive individuals was on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive, the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments said in an afternoon news advisory.

Orleans is reporting 5 more of the previous positive individuals have recovered and been removed from the isolation list.

There are currently four residents from Orleans hospitalized due to Covid.

In Genesee County the 10 new cases reside in the West Region (Alabama, Darien, Pembroke), Central Region (Alexander, Batavia, Bethany, Elba, Oakfield) and East Region (Bergen, Byron, LeRoy, Pavilion, Stafford).

The individuals are in their 20s, 30s, 50s and 80s. (Two of the new positive individuals are inmates at the Genesee County Jail, where 29 inmates have now tested positive during the pandemic.).

Genesee is reporting 4 more of the previous positive individuals have recovered and been removed from the isolation list. There are currently 9 Genesee residents hospitalized due to Covid.

Active Cases: The number of active cases in the two counties are up in the past seven days from 118 on March 31 to 145 today. That includes an increase in Orleans, from 43 to 58, and in Genesee, from 75 to 87.

Vaccine Update: All New Yorkers 16 and over are eligible to get the Covid-19 vaccine. Visit the G-O Health Vaccination Page (click here) to check for upcoming vaccination clinics, which are targeted for Genesee and Orleans residents.

Orleans and Genesee counties combined are reporting 38 new confirmed Covid-19 cases today, bringing the total during the 13 months of the pandemic to 7,360 in the two counties, which includes 4,748 in Genesee and 2,612 in Orleans.

In Orleans County there are 11 new positive cases reported today. The new cases are residents of the West Region (Yates, Ridgeway, Shelby) and Central Region (Carlton, Gaines, Albion, Barre). The individuals are in the age groups of 0-19, 20s, 30s, 50s and 70s.

Orleans is reporting 1 of the new positive individuals was on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive.

The county also has 3 more of the previous positive individuals recover and be removed from the isolation list.

There are currently 4 Orleans residents hospitalized due to Covid.

In Genesee County there are 27 new positive cases, which includes residents in the West Region (Alabama, Darien, Pembroke), Central Region (Alexander, Batavia, Bethany, Elba, Oakfield) and East Region (Bergen, Byron, LeRoy, Pavilion, Stafford). The individuals are in the age groups of 0-19, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s and 90s.

Two of the new positive individuals are inmates at the Genesee County Jail, where 27 inmates have tested positive for Covid.

Genesee is reporting 26 more of the previous positive individuals have recovered and been removed from the isolation list.

There are 9 Genesee residents currently hospitalized due to Covid.

• Active cases continue rise: The number of active continues to trend up in the two counties. The 138 today is up from 131 on Monday and 98 a week ago. Orleans currently has 53 active cases, compared to 33 a week ago, while Genesee currently has 85 active cases, which is up 20 from a week ago when there were 65.

The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments have vaccination and testing clinics with appointments available for Genesee and Orleans County residents.

“All approved vaccines are effective and saves lives,” said Paul Pettit, director for the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments. “We encourage anyone that is currently eligible to register for an upcoming clinic. Residents in Genesee and Orleans counties are eligible to attend either clinic location when vaccine is available.”

Here are some of the vaccine clinics this week:

• April 6, vaccine clinic (click here for appointment) at GCC in Batavia (17 appointments available as of 8:20 p.m.) – Public Site for 1st Dose Moderna, from 9 a.m. to 6:05 p.m.

• April 12, vaccine clinic (click here for appointment) at Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Department (926 appointments available as of 8:20 p.m.) for the Moderna vaccine, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

(There are no appointments available for GCC or Ridgeway clinics for Pfizer vaccines or the Johnson & Johnson vaccine as of 8:20 p.m. on April 5. The Health Departments suggest people check back to see if appointments open for those vaccines.)

Starting April 6th the vaccine is now available for people age 16 and older (only Pfizer vaccine if 16- and 17-year-olds with a parent/guardian present with them). Pfizer is a 2-series dose, 21 days apart and is recommended for people aged 16 and older. Moderna is a 2-series dose, 28 days apart and is recommended for people aged 18 and older. Johnson & Johnson is a one-series dose and is recommended for people age 18 and older.

It is important to note that those who register must be able to return for the second dose 21 days for Pfizer or 28 days for Moderna after the first dose at the location where they received the initial vaccination. The second appointment will be made on site after the getting the first dose. If people cannot make the date for the second dose, please do not make an appointment for a 2-dose series until both appointments can be kept.

Visit the vaccination web page at: https://bit.ly/GOHealthVaccine. Choose either the Moderna Clinic, the Johnson & Johnson Clinic or the Pfizer Clinic button for whichever clinic site works best to make a appointment, the Health Departments advised.

When registering, it will also show which vaccine will be at the clinic during that day. When clicking one of the clinic buttons to register, it will show what vaccine is available or, if there is not a clinic or it is full, it will show “No Appointments Available.” Check the links often for added clinics.

In Genesee County, the clinics are held at the Athletic Center at GCC in Batavia and in Orleans County, the clinics are held at the Ridgeway Fire Hall in Medina.

Free Rapid Covid-19 Test Clinics have been moved to the respective health departments. Anyone over 4 years of age (with parent/guardian present) can make an appointment for either county by clicking here.

Testing clinics for this week:

• April 7: Genesee County Health Department
• April 7: Orleans County Health Department
• April 8: Genesee County Health Department
• April 9: Orleans County Health Department

There are 65 new confirmed Covid-19 cases in Orleans and Genesee counties since the last update on Friday, bringing the total in the two counties to 7,322 cases during the pandemic. That includes 2,601 cases in Orleans and 4,721 in Genesee since March 2020.

In Orleans County there are 18 new cases of Covid-19 since Friday, the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments reported this afternoon. The positive cases reside in the West Region (Yates, Ridgeway, Shelby), Central Region (Carlton, Gaines, Albion, Barre) and East Region (Kendall, Murray, Clarendon). The individuals are in the age groups of 0-19, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s.

Of the new cases, 1 person was on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive.

Orleans is reporting 20 more of the previous positive individuals have recovered and been removed from the isolation list.

The county currently has five residents hospitalized due to Covid.

The new cases reported since Friday include five inmates at the Albion Correctional Facility, where 36 inmates have now tested positive for Covid at the women’s prison, and one inmate at the Orleans Correctional Facility, where 67 inmates have tested positive at the men’s prison during the pandemic.

In Genesee County there are 47 new confirmed cases. The new positive cases reside in the West Region (Alabama, Darien, Pembroke), Central Region (Alexander, Batavia, Bethany, Elba, Oakfield) and East Region (Bergen, Byron, LeRoy, Pavilion, Stafford). The individuals are in the age groups of 0-19, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s and 70s.

Genesee is reporting 17 more of the previous positive individuals have recovered and been removed from the isolation list.

There are 9 Genesee residents currently hospitalized due to Covid.

Of the new cases, 12 are inmates at the Genesee County Jail, where 25 inmates have now tested positive during the pandemic.

• Active cases up from a week ago: The number of active cases in the two counties is at 131 today, compared to 97 a week ago. That includes 45 in Orleans today, compared to 29 on March 29, and 86 in Genesee. A week ago, Genesee had 68.

Orleans County reached a milestone with 10,000 people in the county now with at least one shot of the Covid-19 vaccine.

The state’s Vaccine Tracker showed the milestone today. The county was at 9,798 on Friday, and was within about 50 in the update on Saturday.

The county has now had 24.6 percent of its population – 10,003 out of 40,612 – receive at least one shot. The state’s Vaccine Tracker says 5,992 have completed the vaccine series.

Last week the state expanded eligibility to people 30 and over, which was a change from the 50 and over. On Tuesday, April 6, people 16 and older will be eligible for the vaccine.

Orleans County has been making gains in getting people vaccinated. A week ago the county was at 21.3 percent with at least one dose. At that rate, the county was the lowest among the state’s 62 counties.

With today’s update, Orleans is no longer last. Bronx County, at 24.4 percent with at least one dose, is behind Orleans. Only three counties are below 25 percent with at least one dose. They include Tioga County, 24.9 percent; Orleans, 24.6 percent; and Bronx, 24.4 percent.

State-wide 33.0 percent have had at least one dose and 20.4 percent of population have completed the vaccine series. Orleans is one of nine counties in the Finger Lakes Region, which has 35.2 percent with at least one dose and 22.1 percent who have completed vaccine series.

The vaccine rates among the four rural GLOW counties include:

• Genesee: 17,672 out of 57,511 county population (30.7 percent) completed at least one dose, and 10,760 completed vaccine series.
• Livingston: 19,553 out of 63,227 total population (30.9 percent) with at least one dose, and 12,205 have completed the vaccine series.
• Orleans: 10,003 out of 40,612 total population (24.6 percent) have received at least one dose and 5,992 have completed vaccine series.
• Wyoming: 11,274 out of 40,085 population (28.1 percent) with at least one dose, and 6,725 completed vaccine series.

There are 23 new confirmed cases of Covid-19 reported today in Genesee and Orleans counties, bringing the combined total in the pandemic to 7,257, which 4,674 in Genesee and 2,583 in Orleans, according the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments.

Orleans County today is reporting 10 new positive cases of Covid-19. The positive cases reside in the West Region (Yates, Ridgeway, Shelby) and Central Region (Carlton, Gaines, Albion, Barre). The individuals are in the age groups of 0-19, 20s, 30s, 40s and 50s.

Three of the new positive individuals were on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive. Four more of the previous positive individuals have recovered and been removed from the isolation list.

Two of the new positive individuals are inmates of the Albion Correctional Facility.

Three of the current positive individuals are hospitalized.

In Genesee County there are 13 new positive cases of Covid-19. The new positive cases reside in the Central Region (Alexander, Batavia, Bethany, Elba, Oakfield) and East Region (Bergen, Byron, Le Roy, Pavilion, Stafford). The individuals are in the age groups of 0-19, 20s, 30s, 50s, 60s and 70s.

Ten of the previous positive individuals have recovered and been removed from the isolation list.

One of the new positive individuals is an inmate at the Genesee County Jail.​

Eight of the current positive individuals are hospitalized.

​Since a week ago the number of active cases in the two counties have increased from 91 to 121, with new infections outpacing recoveries. That includes from 37 to 53 in Orleans, and from 54 to 68 in Genesee.

Orleans and Genesee counties combined are reporting 18 new confirmed cases of Covid-19, bringing the total to 7,234 in the two counties since March 2020.

In Orleans County there are 8 new positive cases reported today for a total of 2,573 positive cases during the pandemic.

The positive cases reside in the West Region (Yates, Ridgeway, Shelby), Central Region (Carlton, Gaines, Albion, Barre) and East Region (Kendall, Murray, Clarendon). The individuals are in the age groups of 0-19, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, and 60s.

One of of the new positive individuals was on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive, the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments said.

Two of the new cases are inmates of the Albion Correctional Facility where 29 inmates have now tested positive during the pandemic.

No additional recoveries are reported today. The number of active cases in the county is up from 43 on Wednesday to 49 today.

There are currently 5 Orleans County residents hospitalized due to Covid.

In Genesee County there are 10 new positive cases of Covid-19 for a total of 4,661 positive cases in the pandemic.

The new positive cases reside in the West Region (Alabama, Darien, Pembroke), Central Region (Alexander, Batavia, Bethany, Elba, Oakfield) and East Region (Bergen, Byron, LeRoy, Pavilion, Stafford). The individuals are in the age groups of 0-19, 20s, 30s, 40s, 60s, 70s and 80s.

Genesee is reporting 21 more of the previous positive individuals have recovered and been removed from the isolation list. The number of active cases is down from 75 to 65 since yesterday.

There are currently seven Genesee residents hospitalized due to Covid.

Active cases up from 93 to 118 in 2 counties in past 7 days

There are 29 more confirmed cases of Covid-19 reported today in Genesee and Orleans counties, bringing the total in the two counties to 7,216 since March 2020, the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments reported this afternoon.

There have been 133 new cases in the two counties in the past seven days with 91 in Genesee and 42 in Orleans. The number of active cases in the two counties has increased from 93 to 118 in the past seven days, with new infections outpacing recoveries.

In Orleans County there are 12 new confirmed cases reported today for a total of 2,565 positive cases during the pandemic.

The new positive cases reside in the West Region (Yates, Ridgeway, Shelby), Central Region (Carlton, Gaines, Albion, Barre) and East Region (Kendall, Murray, Clarendon). The individuals are in the age groups of 0-19, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s and 80s.

One of the new cases is a resident of Orchard Rehabilitation & Nursing Center in Medina, where 129 residents have now tested positive during the pandemic.

Orleans is reporting that one of the new positive individuals in the county was on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive. One more of the previous positive individuals has recovered and been removed from the isolation list.

There are currently 3 county residents hospitalized due to Covid. A week ago there weren’t any Orleans residents hospitalized due to Covid.

In Genesee County there are 17 new confirmed cases of Covid reported today for a total of 4,651 positive cases during the pandemic.

The new positive cases reside in the West Region (Alabama, Darien, Pembroke), Central Region (Alexander, Batavia, Bethany, Elba, Oakfield) and East Region (Bergen, Byron, LeRoy, Pavilion, Stafford). The individuals are in the age groups of 0-19, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s and 80s.

Genesee is reporting 4 of the previous positive individuals have recovered and been removed from the isolation list.

Three of the new positive individuals are inmates at the Genesee County Jail, where 12 inmates have now tested positive for Covid.

Genesee has 5 residents hospitalized due to Covid, up from 4 on March 24.

Orleans and Genesee are each reporting 9 new confirmed cases of Covid-19 today, bringing the total in the two counties to 7,187 since March 2020. That includes 2,553 in Orleans and 4,634 in Genesee.

In Orleans County, the 9 new cases are residents in the West Region (Yates, Ridgeway, Shelby), Central Region (Carlton, Gaines, Albion, Barre) and East Region (Kendall, Murray, Clarendon). The individuals are in the age groups of 0-19, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s.

Orleans is reporting one new positive individuals was on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive.

One more of the previous positive individuals also has recovered and been removed from the isolation list. There is currently one Orleans resident hospitalized due to Covid.

In Genesee County the 9 new cases are residents in the West Region (Alabama, Darien, Pembroke), Central Region (Alexander, Batavia, Bethany, Elba, Oakfield) and East Region (Bergen, Byron, LeRoy, Pavilion, Stafford). The individuals are in the 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s and 70s.

Genesee is reporting 12 more of the previous positive individuals have recovered and been removed from the isolation list.

There are 2 Genesee County residents currently hospitalized due to Covid.

There are 45 more confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Genesee and Orleans counties in the first update since Friday afternoon from the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments. That brings the total number of cases in the two counties to 7,169 since March 2020.

In Orleans County there are 11 new positive cases of Covid-19 since Friday for a total of 2,544 confirmed cases during the pandemic.

The new positive cases reside in the West Region (Yates, Ridgeway, Shelby), Central Region (Carlton, Gaines, Albion, Barre) and East Region (Kendall, Murray, Clarendon). The individuals are in the age groups of 0-19, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s.

Four the new cases are inmates of the Albion Correctional Facility, a women’s prison where 27 inmates have now tested positive during the pandemic.

Orleans is reporting 19 more of the previous positive individuals have recovered and been removed from the isolation list.

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

In Genesee County there are 34 new positive cases of Covid-19 for a total of 4,625 positive cases during the pandemic.

The new positive cases reside in the West Region (Alabama, Darien, Pembroke), Central Region (Alexander, Batavia, Bethany, Elba, Oakfield) and East Region (Bergen, Byron, LeRoy, Pavilion, Stafford). The individuals are in the age groups of 0-19, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s and 90s.

One of the new positive individuals is a resident of the New York State Veteran’s Home in Batavia where there have now been 87 confirmed cases during the pandemic.

Genesee is reporting 20 more of the previous positive individuals have recovered and been removed from the isolation list.

There are currently 2 Genesee residents hospitalized due to Covid.

• Vaccine Update: As of March 30, anyone 30 years of age and older will be eligible to get the Covid-19 vaccine along with the other priority groups. The state also announced that all residents age 16 and older will be eligible to receive the vaccine on April 6.

• Excelsior Pass: New York State has launched the Excelsior Pass, a voluntary, free, fast and secure way to present digital proof of Covid-19 vaccination or negative test results.

It can be printed or stored digitally on a smartphone. Businesses and venues can scan and validate your pass to ensure you meet any Covid-19 vaccination or testing requirements for entry. Adults may hold passes for accompanying minors.

16 and older can begin to schedule appointments and get vaccinated on April 6

Press Release, Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Office

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced a new expansion of Covid-19 vaccine eligibility in New York.

Beginning Tuesday, March 30 at 8 a.m., all New Yorkers 30 years of age and older will be eligible to receive the vaccine.

Beginning April 6, universal eligibility goes into effect and all New Yorkers 16 years of age and older will be eligible to receive the vaccine.

Additionally, the Governor announced more than 2 million total Covid-19 vaccine doses have been administered at New York State-run and FEMA-assisted mass vaccination sites. Statewide, more than 9 million total doses have been administered across all vaccination sites. That includes 171,419 doses that have been administered across the state’s vast distribution network in the last 24 hours, and more than 1.3 million doses have been administered over the past seven days. Delivery of the week 16 allocation begins mid-week.

“Today we take a monumental step forward in the fight to beat Covid,” Cuomo said. “As we continue to expand eligibility, New York will double down on making the vaccine accessible for every community to ensure equity, particularly for communities of color who are too often left behind. We can see the light at the end of the tunnel, but until we get there it is more important than ever for each and every New Yorker to wear a mask, socially distance and follow all safety guidelines.”

New York’s vast distribution network and large population of eligible individuals still far exceed the supply coming from the federal government. Due to limited supply, New Yorkers are encouraged to remain patient and are advised not to show up at vaccination sites without an appointment.

The ‘Am I Eligible‘ screening tool has been updated for individuals with comorbidities and underlying conditions with new appointments released on a rolling basis over the next weeks. New Yorkers can use the following to show they are eligible:

• Doctor’s letter, or
• Medical information evidencing comorbidity, or
• Signed certification

Press Release, Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments

The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments have Pfizer and Moderna vaccination clinics with appointments available for Genesee and Orleans County residents.

Whichever Covid-19 vaccine is available is the right vaccine to get now! All approved vaccines are effective and saves lives. We encourage anyone that is currently eligible to register for an upcoming clinic.

Vaccine is now available for people age 50 and older along with the existing priority groups (click here for more information).  Pfizer is a 2-series dose, 21 days apart (3 weeks), and is recommended for people aged 16 and older. Moderna is a 2-series dose, 28 days apart (4 weeks), and is recommended for people aged 18 and older.

It is important to note that you must be able to return for the second dose 21 days for Pfizer or 28 days for Moderna after the first dose at the location, you received your initial vaccination. You will be making that appointment after you are vaccinated. If you cannot make that date, please do not make an appointment for a 2-dose series until you can make both appointments.

Click here to visit the Genesee and Orleans vaccination web page. Choose either the Moderna Clinic or the Pfizer Clinic button to make your appointment. When you register, it will also show which vaccine will be at the clinic during that day.

In Genesee County, the clinics are held at the Athletic Center at GCC in Batavia and in Orleans County, the clinics are held at the Ridgeway Fire Hall in Medina.

If you are interested in making an appointment to get your Covid-19 vaccination. Now is the time to do it locally!

Orleans County passes 20% with at least one dose

Photo by Tom Rivers: People stop by a vaccine clinic at GCC in Batavia on March 7 that was intended for residents of Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties, but those three counties only received 25 percent of the doses when the clinic didn’t have residency restrictions. Erie County residents claimed about half of the doses.

Orleans County is increasing the number of people vaccinated against Covid-19, but the county still has the lowest vaccination rate in the state.

Orleans in recent days passed 20 percent of the population with at least one vaccination dose for Covid-19. On Tuesday, the county was at 19.4 percent. A week before that on March 16, Orleans was at 16.6 percent of residents with at least one dose.

The state’s Vaccine Tracker today puts the county at 21.3 percent with at least one dose. That is just behind the Bronx at 21.4 percent and Kings (Brooklyn) at 22.0 percent for the lowest vaccination rates in the state.

New York currently has a state-wide vaccination rate of 29.2 percent, while the average in the nine-county Finger Lakes Region is 31.5 percent.

Orleans expects to quicken the pace in the coming days with extra allocations to be administered at vaccination clinics at GCC in Batavia on Monday, Ridgeway Fire Hall in Medina on Tuesday, and Orleans Community Health – Medina Memorial Hospital on Tuesday and Thursday.

The county currently is well behind nearby counties which have the following vaccination rates: Genesee, 26.7%; Wyoming, 25.4%; Niagara, 27.3%; Erie, 31.1%; Monroe, 32.9%; and Livingston, 27.7%.

Orleans and Wyoming counties both have nearly the same populations at about 40,000. Wyoming is ahead of Orleans with vaccinations, 25.4% percent with at least one dose, compared to 21.3% in Orleans, or about 1,500 more people vaccinated – 10,175 with one dose in Wyoming compared to 8,668 in Orleans.

There are 16 counties in the state with populations less than 50,000. Many are significantly ahead of Orleans in the vaccination rate.

• Montgomery County, 49,302 population, 30.3% vaccinated with at least one dose
• Tioga County, 48,686 population, 22.5% vaccinated with at least one dose
• Chenango County, 47,909 population, 27.4% vaccinated with at least one dose
• Cortland County, 47,865 population, 29.2% vaccinated with at least one dose
• Greene County, 47,424 population, 28.2% vaccinated with at least one dose
• Allegany County, 46,688 population, 23.6% vaccinated with at least one dose
• Delaware County, 44,995 population, 25.0% vaccinated with at least one dose
• Orleans County, 40,904 population, 21.3% vaccinated with at least one dose
• Wyoming County, 40,305 population, 25.4% vaccinated with at least one dose
• Essex County, 37,459 population, 39.6% vaccinated with at least one dose
• Seneca County, 34,390 population, 27.1% vaccinated with at least one dose
• Schoharie County, 31,222 population, 26.5% vaccinated with at least one dose
• Lewis County, 26,572 population, 26.9% vaccinated with at least one dose
• Yates County, 25,011 population, 31.2% vaccinated with at least one dose
• Schuyler County, 17,920 population, 30.5% vaccinated with at least one dose
• Hamilton County, 4,515 population, 57.3% vaccinated with at least one dose

(Data from NYS Vaccine Tracker and U.S. Census Bureau 2019 population estimates.)

Oak Orchard Health has been approved for $3,737,875 in federal funding through the American Rescue Plan to expand Covid-19 vaccination, testing and treatment for underserved populations.

Oak Orchard also plans to use the funds deliver preventive and primary health care services to people at higher risk for Covid-19; and expand health centers’ operational capacity during the pandemic and beyond, including modifying and improving physical infrastructure and adding mobile units.

Mary Ann Pettibon

“This is great news for all of us at Oak Orchard Health and is another reminder of the importance of all the work we do,” said Mary Ann Pettibon, CEO Oak Orchard Health.

The expanded services will be offered at Oak Orchard sites in Albion, Alexander, Batavia, Brockport, Corfu, Lyndonville, Hornell and Warsaw.

U.S. Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand announced the funding on Friday. The money is part of nearly $400 million for 63 community health centers across New York State.

The senators said the community health centers are on the frontline of health care in the United States, particularly in rural and underserved areas, and provide a critical health care safety net during times of crisis.

“New York’s Community Health Centers are a cornerstone of the state’s healthcare system and have been our frontline armor in the battle against Covid-19, especially in underserved and disadvantaged communities where Covid hit the hardest,” Schumer said. “This critical federal investment, that I fought to secure in the American Rescue Plan, will help community health centers maintain their vital operations, providing health care to those at high risk of contracting Covid-19, and continuing to administer vaccines to as many New Yorkers as possible.”

Distribution of funding will begin in April through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). HRSA-funded health centers are community-based and patient-directed organizations that deliver affordable, accessible, quality, and cost-effective primary health care to high-need urban, rural, and frontier communities across the country.

Health centers serve 1 in 5 people living in rural communities, and 1 in 11 people nationwide. More than 91% of health center patients are individuals or families living at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, and nearly 63% are racial or ethnic minorities.

“In the midst of this global pandemic, people across New York are turning to community health centers for affordable primary and preventative health care,” said Senator Gillibrand. “CHCs provide a wide-range of services to some of our most underserved populations and this funding will help address the pandemic challenge and the health disparities it has exacerbated within our communities and ensure these centers can continue providing quality care to every New York community.”