Extra allocations should help boost county’s vaccination rate

Photo by Tom Rivers: This sign directs people to a Covid-19 vaccination clinic at Genesee Community College in Batavia on March 9.

Orleans County currently has the lowest vaccination rate in the state, with 19.2 percent of its residents receiving at least one dose of the Covid-19 vaccine.

The county has been lagging behind the state and regional average for vaccination rates, but has been ahead of Bronx County, until now.

Bronx is just ahead of Orleans with a vaccination rate of 19.4 percent. Kings County, also in New York City, is at 19.6 percent, according to the state’s Vaccine Tracker.

A week ago, Orleans was at 16.6 percent of its residents with at least one dose of the vaccine. That was just ahead of the Bronx at 16.2 percent.

Orleans County’s current 19.2 percent rate is well behind the state average of 26.5 percent and the nine-county Finger Lakes Region of 28.8 percent.

Among other nearby counties, the vaccinate rates (with at least one dose) include: Genesee, 24.6 percent; Wyoming, 22.6 percent; Erie, 28.3 percent; Niagara, 24.6 percent; Monroe, 30.1 percent; and Livingston, 25.4 percent.

Paul Pettit, the public health director in Genesee and Orleans counties, said Orleans will be getting extra allocations to help get caught up in vaccinations.

The county will be getting 600 doses this week as part of its state allocations. It also will be receiving 1,170 doses from the state in a special allocation, and another 1,170 allocations from neighboring Monroe County.

The county will be working with local physicians to administer the 1,170 doses from the state, Pettit said during a conference call on Tuesday with elected officials in Orleans County.

With the 1,170 doses from Monroe, Orleans will administer about 700 on Tuesday during a vaccine clinic at the Ridgeway Fire Hall, and about 500 will also go to a vaccine clinic at GCC next Wednesday, Pettit said.

“Hopefully these extra allocations will help us get our vaccination rates up higher and be more in line with the region,” Pettit said.

Genesee reports another Covid death; State passes 40,000 Covid deaths during pandemic

Genesee and Orleans counties combined are reporting 15 more confirmed cases of Covid-19 today, bringing the total during the pandemic, going back to March last year, to 7,064 cases in the two counties.

In Orleans County there are 3 new confirmed cases reported today for a total of 2,516 positive cases during the pandemic.

The new positive cases reside in the Central Region (Carlton, Gaines, Albion, Barre). The individuals are in the age groups of 0-19, 30s and 40s.

Orleans is reporting 5 more of the previous positive individuals have recovered and been removed from the isolation list. Currently, there aren’t any Orleans County residents hospitalized due to Covid, the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments reported.

In Genesee County there are 12 more positive cases of Covid-19 for a total of 4,548 during the pandemic.

The new positive cases reside in the 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, 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s.

Genesee is reporting 30 more of the previous positive individuals have recovered and been removed from the isolation list. Genesee has three residents currently hospitalized due to Covid.

Genesee also is reporting another death from Covid. The individual is over age 65. The person is the 121^stwith a Covid-related death in Genesee County during the pandemic.

“We do not provide any further information to protect the privacy of the individual and their family,” the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments said. “Our deepest condolences to the family and friends during this very difficult time.”

• Active cases decrease: The number of active cases in the two counties dropped from 112 on Monday to 90 today as the recoveries outpace the new Covid infections. Genesee is down from 83 to 63, and Orleans dropped from 29 to 27.

• Covid deaths in NY pass 40,000: New York had 53 more Covid-related deaths on Monday, putting the state’s total during the pandemic to 40,023.

• Rapid Tests at Health Department: Starting March 24th, Orleans County will have limited rapid testing available at the Orleans County Health Department. Those getting a test need an appointment in order to be tested. Click here for the link to register for a test.

Orleans reports no one in county currently hospitalized due to Covid

There are 29 new confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Genesee and Orleans counties since Friday, bringing the total in the two counties to 7,049 since March 2020.

In Orleans County there are 9 new positive cases of Covid since Friday for a total of 2,513 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). One of the new cases is an inmate at the Albion Correctional Facility, a women’s prison.

The individuals are in the age groups of 0-19, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s. The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments is reporting 4 of the new positive individuals were under mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive.

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

The Health Department reports a milestone today with no one from the county currently hospitalized due to Covid.

In Genesee County there are 20 new positive cases of Covid since Friday for a total of 4,536 confirmed 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). One of the new positive individuals is a resident of the New York State Veterans’ Home at Batavia.

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

Genesee is reporting 19 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.

More from the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments:

• 50 and older now eligible for vaccine: Beginning March 23rd, all New Yorkers 50 years and older will be eligible to receive the vaccine.

Public facing essential workers from governmental and nonprofit organizations were eligible beginning March 17th. This expansion includes public-facing essential building services workers. Providers, including pharmacies, will be able to vaccinate any eligible New Yorkers, in line with federal policy beginning March 10th. This is all subject to the availability of the vaccine to the providers.

This new addition of new eligible residents still far exceeds the supply of vaccine received in our counties. Individuals who are eligible must have an appointment in order to get a vaccine.

To check for vaccination clinics in Genesee and Orleans counties, click here.

• Office for the Aging can assist those without internet access: For more information about the vaccine and access for those who are 60 and older who do not have internet access, please contact your respective Office for the Aging (OFA).

For Genesee OFA please call 585-813-2457 for Covid-19 vaccine assistance between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Leave a message if you get voicemail and someone will return the call.

For Orleans OFA please call 585-589-3191 between 9:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Leave a message if you get voicemail and someone will return the call.

The OFA offices can only assist with the clinic links as they are available. The system may experience slowdowns and crashing due to high volume. Please be patient and try again later.

Press Release, Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments

The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments have several upcoming 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.

The Governor has also announced New York will expand vaccine access to people age 50 and older beginning Tuesday, March 23, along with the existing priority groups.

Visit the vaccination web page at the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments (click here).

Direct links to the 1st dose vaccination clinics are:

• Genesee clinic at GCC Batavia (click here). There were 160 appointments open at 1:35 p.m.

• Orleans clinic at Ridgeway Fire Hall (click here). There were 355 appointments open at 1:35 p.m.

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

Press Release, Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Office

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that starting tomorrow at 8 a.m., New Yorkers 50 years of age and older will be eligible to receive the vaccine.

(Editor’s Note: The eligibility was lowered from 65 to 60 years old on March 10.)

The governor said 103,425 doses have been administered across New York’s vast distribution network in the last 24 hours, and more than 1 million doses have been administered over the past seven days.

More than 1.65 million doses have been administered through New York mass vaccination sites and FEMA sites to date. Delivery of the week 15 allocation begins mid-week.

“We continue to kick vaccinations into overdrive throughout the state by expanding eligibility, establishing new vaccination sites and allowing providers to reach new populations. More New Yorkers are getting vaccinated every single day, but we still have a long way to go before defeating the Covid beast and reaching safety,” Governor Cuomo said. “New York’s distribution network is at the ready to handle an expected increase in supply, and we’re excited to expand eligibility even further to New Yorkers over the age of 50 as we move to get through the Covid-19 pandemic.”

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

Those sites will continue to vaccinate people over age 60 and teachers

Press Release, Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Office

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced new guidance has been rolled out allowing pharmacies to vaccinate New Yorkers with comorbidities. Pharmacies were previously able to vaccinate New Yorkers over the age of 60 and teachers.

“New Yorkers with comorbidities are among our state’s most at-risk residents, and access to the Covid-19 vaccine protects this vulnerable population as we work to defeat the virus and establish the new normal,” Governor Cuomo said. “As New York receives more doses and more people receive the vaccine, we’re able to expand the population pharmacies can serve, and this is a commonsense step forward that will help make it easier to protect New Yorkers.”

New Yorkers with comorbidities or underlying health conditions can show they are eligible with a doctor’s letter, medical information evidencing comorbidity, or signed certification.

New Yorkers age 16 and older with the following conditions are eligible for vaccines due to increased risk of moderate or severe illness or death from the virus that causes Covid-19:

• Cancer (current or in remission, including 9/11-related cancers)
• Chronic kidney disease
• Pulmonary Disease, including but not limited to, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), asthma (moderate-to-severe), pulmonary fibrosis, cystic fibrosis, and 9/11 related pulmonary diseases
• Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities including Down Syndrome
• Heart conditions, including but not limited to heart failure, coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathies, or hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Immunocompromised state (weakened immune system) including but not limited to solid organ transplant or from blood or bone marrow transplant, immune deficiencies, HIV, use of corticosteroids, use of other immune weakening medicines, or other causes
• Severe Obesity (BMI 40 kg/m2), Obesity (body mass index [BMI] of 30 kg/m2 or higher but < 40 kg/m2)
• Pregnancy
• Sickle cell disease or Thalassemia
• Type 1 or 2 diabetes mellitus
• Cerebrovascular disease (affects blood vessels and blood supply to the brain)
• Neurologic conditions including but not limited to Alzheimer’s Disease or dementia
• Liver disease

On March 9, Governor Cuomo announced that with increased supply of the vaccine, restrictions concerning which segments of the eligible population specific providers can vaccinate will be relaxed to align with the expanded eligibility beginning March 17. Previously, certain types of providers were directed to focus their vaccination efforts on specific populations to ensure equitable vaccine distribution. For example, hospitals vaccinated health care workers, local health departments vaccinated essential workers and pharmacies vaccinated New Yorkers 65 years of age and older.

As part of this effort, providers are being encouraged to vaccinate those New Yorkers most at risk, such as individuals 60 years of age and older and people with comorbidities and underlying health conditions. Today’s announcement further builds on those efforts.

With 6 new cases reported today, Orleans now tops 2,500 in past year

Orleans and Genesee counties combined are reporting 42 new Covid-19 cases today, which puts the two counties past 7,000 cases during the pandemic.

The two counties have a combined population of 97,632. With 7,020 confirmed cases, 7.2 percent of the population has tested positive for Covid in the past 12 months. Both counties had their first case of Covid a year ago this week.

Genesee County had had a higher percentage of its population test positive with 7.9 percent or 4,516 residents out of 57,280 people.

In Orleans County, 6.2 percent or 2,504 people out of 40,352 residents have tested positive for Covid.

In Orleans County, there are 6 new positive cases reported today for a total of 2,504 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, 40s and 50s.

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

Orleans is reporting 7 more of the previous positive individuals have recovered and been removed from the isolation list.

There are currently 3 county residents hospitalized due to Covid.

In Genesee County there are 36 new positive cases reported today for a total of 4,516 cases in the past year.

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). Two of the cases are inmates at the Buffalo Federal Detention Center in Batavia.

The individuals are in the age groups of 0-19, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s and 80s.

Genesee is reporting 9 more of the previous positive individuals have recovered and been removed from the isolation list.

Genesee currently has one resident hospitalized with Covid.

Active Cases: The number of active case sin the two counties increased in the past seven days, from 93 on March 12 to 124 today. In Orleans County, the active cases went up from 37 to 41. In Genesee, the cases increased from 56 to 83.

Vaccine Finder: The Finger Lakes Vaccine Hub just launched a Finger Lakes Vaccine Finder to help those seeking vaccination. Click here for more information.

Orleans and Genesee counties today are reporting 26 new Covid-19 cases in the two counties, bringing the total to 6,978 in the two counties since a year ago.

In Orleans County there are 11 new positive cases for a total of 2,498 confirmed cases since last March.

The positive cases reported today 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, 70s and 80s.

Orleans is also reporting that 1 more person has recovered from Covid and been removed from the isolation list.

There are currently 3 county residents hospitalized due to Covid.

In Genesee County there are 15 new positive cases of Covid reported today for a total of 4,480 cases since last March.

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 and 60s.

Genesee is reporting 11 more of the previous positive individuals have recovered and been removed from the isolation list.

Genesee currently has 3 county residents hospitalized due to Covid.

More from the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments:

• Rapid Testing: Pre-registration is required for rapid testing clinics. The next testing clinic, which is open to Orleans and Genesee counties, will be from 2 to 3 p.m. on March 23 at the Genesee County Emergency Management Office/Fire Training Center at 7690 State Street Rd., Batavia.

Use the Rapid Covid-19 Test Intake Form for Genesee County Covid-19 Rapid Test Clinics. You will need one form per person being tested. If you are filling out the form, please complete it, print it out and bring it with you. Click here for the form.

To register for the clinic please go the follow this link.

The clinics will be determined on a week-to-week basis as our focus will be on vaccine moving forward. Please note if you have recently tested positive, please do not come and get tested again at these clinics. These clinics are to identify new cases, not to determine if you are now negative. It is important to understand that you may still test positive for several weeks after initially testing positive.

Press Release, Orleans County Health Department

ALBION – The Orleans County Health Department has been awarded a grant to provide the Hepatitis A vaccine to food service workers at no cost to them or the employer.

In Western New York and across the United States, foodborne outbreaks of Hepatitis A have occurred as a result of infected food service workers. Brenden Bedard, Director of Community Health Services for Genesee and Orleans Counties, understands the severity of Hepatitis A and the effect it can have on a business and community.

“Hepatitis A is a serious issue because most food service workers will spread the infection before even knowing they have the disease,” Bedard said. “A food service worker can spread the virus to customers or other staff by contaminating surfaces, utensils and/or food, which can make unvaccinated individuals very sick. By offering the vaccine to food services workers, we can prevent unnecessary illness from spreading in the community.”

Hepatitis A is a contagious liver infection that is caused by the Hepatitis A Virus. It is typically spread through the feces of infected individuals. Someone can become infected by consuming food or drink that has been contaminated by feces as well as having close personal contact with a person who is infected, or use of injection and non-injection drugs.

The symptoms of Hepatitis A may include sudden onset of fever, loss of appetite, nausea/vomiting, stomach pain, dark-colored urine and jaundice (a yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes). HAV usually does not have signs or symptoms until the second week of infection and is the most infectious during this time.

The good news is that Hepatitis A can be prevented through vaccination! According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the vaccine has a 94% – 100% efficacy rate. The Hepatitis A vaccine is a two-dose series that is administered 6 months apart. As the vaccine is not required to attend school or daycare, many people have not received it.

Any food service worker living or working in Orleans County can receive the vaccine. By receiving the vaccine, you are also protecting yourself from getting the virus if you come in contact with dishes and/or utensils that may have been contaminated by a customer or co- worker.

Restaurants who have participated in this opportunity will receive a certificate honoring their commitment to protecting the health and safety of their workers and customers.

Restaurants or food services workers who are interested in receiving the Hepatitis A vaccine should contact the Orleans County Health Department immediately as this opportunity is ending on April 1. The supply is on a first-come, first serve basis.

For more information, please call the Orleans County Health Department at 585-589-3278. The department is open Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For more information on the hepatitis A virus, click here.

Orleans and Genesee counties combined are reporting 18 new Covid-19 cases today, and are nearing 7,000 total for the pandemic. There are currently 6,952 cases in the two counties in the past year, according to the Genesee and Orleans County health Departments.

Today marks the one-year anniversary of the first confirmed case in Genesee and Thursday is the one-year anniversary of the first case in Orleans County.

Orleans County has 6 new positive cases of Covid-19 for a total of 2,487 positive cases in the pandemic.

The new positive cases reside in the West Region (Yates, Ridgeway, Shelby) and Central Region (Carlton, Gaines, Albion, Barre). The individuals are in their 60s, 70s and 80s.

The Health Departments reported 1 of the new positives was quarantined prior to testing positive. There aren’t any new recoveries reported today.

There are currently 3 Orleans residents hospitalized due to Covid.

In Genesee County there are 12 new positive cases of Covid-19 reported today for a total of 4,465 positive cases.

The new positive cases reside in the 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 15 more of the previous positive individuals have recovered and been removed from the isolation list.

There are currently 3 Genesee residents hospitalized with Covid.

More from the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments:

• Quarantine for domestic travelers: Beginning April 1st, New York State will no longer require quarantine for domestic travelers. International travelers will still need to quarantine.

All travelers will still be required to complete the Traveler Health Form. For updated Traveler Guidance, click here. Regardless of quarantine status, all individuals exposed to COVID-19 or returning from travel must:

• Continue daily symptom monitoring through Day 14;
• Continue strict adherence to all recommended non-pharmaceutical interventions, including hand hygiene, and the use of face coverings, through Day 14 (even if fully vaccinated);
• Must immediately self-isolate if any symptoms develop and contact their healthcare provider or the local public health authority to report this change in clinical status and determine if they should seek testing.

Press Release, Oak Orchard Health

Dr. David Tinkelman

BROCKPORT – Dr. David Tinkelman, a board-certified pediatrician for 30 years, has chosen to join Oak Orchard Health at its Brockport location. He will begin seeing patients there on April 5.

“Oak Orchard Health was my first and only choice,” Dr. Tinkelman said. “I know I can continue to provide my patients the best of care there. And it’s a convenient location for everyone.”

Dr. Tinkelman joins Medical Director and pediatrician Danielle Renodin-Mead, DO, James Goetz, MD, MPH, Monica Henoch, MD, Kelsey Izzo, MD, and Jan Saxton, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner.

Dr. Tinkelman has practiced in the Rochester area since 1979 and has been in solo practice since 1991 at Tinkelman Pediatrics. He completed his undergraduate degree in biology at Cornell University and  received his medical degree in 1975 from SUNY Upstate Medical Center. His residency was completed at the University of Rochester Medical Center.

“We’re excited that Dr. Tinkelman will be part of our pediatric team at Oak Orchard Health,” said Mary Ann Pettibon, CEO of Oak Orchard Health. “All patients have access to adult medical services, dental, behavioral health, and vision care.”

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.

County leaders press state to help Orleans get caught up with vaccines

Photo by Tom Rivers: This sign directs traffic at the mass vaccination clinic at Genesee Community College in Batavia on March 7. Of the 3,500 doses available over 5 days at GCC, Orleans County residents only were able to get 169 or 4.8 percent.

ALBION – Orleans County is lagging well behind the Finger Lakes Region and the state in getting people the Covid-19 vaccine.

County officials have tried the past three months to get more vaccine for residents, but the supply sent by the state has been far too low, said Lynne Johnson, the County Legislature chairwoman.

The state a month recognized the disparity in Orleans and approved a one-time special allotment of 1,170 doses. However, those doses didn’t come to Orleans. The state instead directed them to a mass vaccination clinic at Genesee Community College from March 5-9.

The clinic was supposed to be restricted to residents in the counties of Orleans, Genesee and Wyoming. But the state, a day before the clinic started, opened registration to everyone, without a residency restriction.

Orleans County residents only received 169 or 4.8 percent of those doses.

“It’s criminal that Orleans County is so far behind,” Johnson said on Tuesday evening in a conference call with local elected and appointed officials. “We were behind when PPP was distributed. We were behind with rapid tests when they first came out and now we are with vaccines.”

In Orleans County, 16.6 percent of the population of 40,612 has received at least one dose of the vaccine. Only the Bronx County has a lower rate, 16.2 percent, than Orleans out of 62 counties in the state.

The statewide vaccinate rate is at 22.9 percent with at least one dose. In the nine-county Finger Lakes Region, which includes Orleans, the rate is at 24.9 percent.

The vaccination rates in those nine counties includes: Orleans, 16.6 percent; Genesee, 22.1 percent; Wyoming, 19.5 percent; Monroe, 26.0 percent; Livingston, 21.8 percent; Wayne, 23.3 percent; Seneca, 21.3 percent; Yates, 25.9 percent; and Ontario, 27.8 percent.

Orleans County would need about 1,000 doses to catch up to Wyoming County, which has the second lowest rate among those nine counties. Orleans and Wyoming both have about 40,000 residents. In Orleans, 6,726 people have received at least one dose of the vaccine. In Wyoming, 7,807 have received at least one shot, according to the state’s Vaccine Tracker.

Johnson and Paul Pettit, the public health director in Genesee and Orleans counties, sent a letter on Tuesday to Gov. Andrew Cuomo, requesting a special allocation of vaccine to get Orleans caught up with the other counties.

“This is a matter of life and death for these residents,” Johnson said.

The Orleans officials also are asking for another mass vaccination clinic at GCC that would be restricted to Orleans, Genesee and Wyoming. Those three counties only got about 25 percent of the vaccines at the least clinic.

This week Orleans will receive 400 doses, which is down from the 600 last week in the weekly allotments from the state. The County Health Department will administer 300 of the doses, with Orleans Community Health (Medina Memorial Hospital) doing the other 100, Pettit said.

“Orleans County continues to lag,” Pettit told the local officials in the conference call. “Ultimately we’re not where we need to be compared to other counties. We are doing heavy advocacy for more vaccines.”

New cases reported today include 2 in Orleans, 10 in Genesee

Orleans and Genesee counties are reporting the lowest levels of active Covid-19 cases in more than four months. There are currently 26 active cases in Orleans, the fewest since 25 on Nov. 9, and 54 in Genesee, the lowest since 55 on Nov. 9. The active cases are dropping as the number of recoveries outpaces the new Covid infections.

In Orleans County, there are 2 new confirmed cases of Covid-19 to report today for a total of 2,481 positive cases since last March.

The positive cases reside in the Central Region (Carlton, Gaines, Albion, Barre) and East Region (Kendall, Murray, Clarendon). The individuals are in the age groups of 0-19 and the 50s, the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments reported.

In Orleans, there are four more recoveries and those people have been removed from the isolation list.

There are currently 3 county residents hospitalized due to Covid.

In Genesee County there are 10 new positive cases reported today for a total of 4,453 confirmed 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 their 20s, 30s, 50s, 60s and 80s.

Two of the new cases are inmates at the Buffalo Federal Detention Center in Batavia, where 120 inmates have now tested positive during the pandemic.

Genesee is reporting 17 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, the G-O Health Departments reported.

Health Department reports another Covid death in Genesee

There are 36 new Covid-19 cases in Genesee and Orleans counties since Friday for a total of 6,922 cases in the two counties since last March.

In Orleans County there are 10 new positive cases of Covid-19 for a total of 2,479 positive cases during the pandemic, 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, 40s, 60s and 70s. One of the new positives is a resident at the Orchard Rehabilitation & Nursing Center in Medina.

Of the new cases, 2 were under mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive.

Orleans is reporting 18 more of the previous positive individuals have recovered and been removed from the isolation list. The number of active cases in the county has declined from 37 on Friday to 28 today, as recoveries outpace new confirmed cases.

There are currently 3 county residents who are hospitalized due to Covid.

In Genesee County there are 26 new positive cases for a total of 4,443 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 and 60s.

Genesee is reporting 19 more of the previous positive individuals have recovered and been removed from the isolation list. The number of active cases increased from 56 on Friday to 65 today.

There are currently 3 Genesee residents hospitalized due to Covid.

The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments are reporting a Genesee resident over age 65 has passed away due to Covid. The state Health Department lists 120 deaths in Genesee County due to Covid.

“We do not provide any further information to protect the privacy of the individual and their family,” the local Health Departments said in a news release. “Our deepest condolences to the family and friends during this very difficult time.”

More from the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments:

Wedding sizes: Starting today, the Governor is allowing weddings at up to 50% of the venue capacity or up to 150 people (whichever is smaller) at weddings/catered events.

See section D (In-person and Catered Events) of the Interim Guidance for Food Services During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency updated February 24, 2021.

There are strict guidelines to be followed and responsible parties are to notify the local health department if they plan to host in-person and catered events above the state’s maximum social gathering limit, which is 50 people as of Feb. 24.

All venues/event planners are to complete the Genesee Orleans (GO Health) COVID-19 In-Person and Catered Events Notification Form (click here) no less than 5 days prior to the event – for events above NYS’s maximum social gathering limit. Those who ignore the guidance can be fined and/or lose their license to operate.

Press Release, VA Western New York Healthcare System

BATAVIA — The VA Western New York Healthcare System will now vaccinate enrolled veterans of all ages.

To date over 50 percent of veterans enrolled in VA WNYHS have already been vaccinated with the two-dose protocol of the Pfizer vaccine. Enrolled veterans should call (716) 862-7868 to schedule vaccination appointments.

Known locally as Operation New Hope, VA WNYHS’s vaccination process utilizes a 14,000-square-foot MASH tent complex at the Buffalo site, and a large open bay room at the Batavia site. VA WNYHS’s Covid-19 Team can efficiently vaccinate more than 900 veteran patients a day. Because each vaccination appointment is scheduled in advance, the entire vaccination process normally takes just 20-25 minutes.

Since mid-January, VA WNYHS has been actively reaching out to enrolled veterans who are eligible for vaccinations using CDC and VA roll-out guidelines. Currently, veterans must meet eligibility requirements for enrollment to receive vaccinations.

Veterans can check eligibility requirements by visiting www.buffalo.va.gov and clicking the “Become a Patient” tab, or call our Veterans Service Center in Buffalo at (716) 862-8829. Veterans in the Batavia area can check eligibility by calling 1-585-297-1053/56.