Press Release, Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Office

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today updated New Yorkers on the state’s progress during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The statewide positivity rate, now at 2.99 percent, dropped below 3 percent for the first time since November 23.

The Governor also said the first case of the South African variant has been identified in a resident of New York State. The sequencing, involving a Nassau County resident, was conducted at Opentrons Labworks Inc’s Pandemic Response Lab, a New York City based commercial lab, and verified at the Wadsworth Center in Albany. Last week, a Connecticut resident who had been hospitalized in New York City was found to have the South African variant.

“We continue to see a reduction in positivity and hospitalizations throughout the state, which is good news, and this progress is allowing us to reopen the valve on our economy even further,” Cuomo said. “But with the discovery of a case of the South African variant in the state, it’s more important than ever for New Yorkers to stay vigilant, wear masks, wash hands and stay socially distanced. We are in a race right now — between our ability to vaccinate and these variants which are actively trying to proliferate — and we will only win that race if we stay smart and disciplined.”

Today’s data is summarized briefly below:

• Test Results Reported – 221,157
• Total Positive – 6,610
• Percent Positive – 2.99%
• 7-Day Average Percent Positive – 3.44%
• Patient Hospitalization – 5,764 (-213)
• Net Change Patient Hospitalization Past Week – down by 829
• Deaths – 75
• Total Deaths – 37,851

This is each region’s 7-day average percentage of positive test results reported over the last three days.

There are 25 new confirmed cases of Covid-19 to report today in Genesee and Orleans with the two counties now at 6,473 cases during the pandemic since last March, according to today’s daily update from the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments.

Since last Friday, Orleans County has 30 new cases while Genesee has 79. The number of active cases in the two counties has dropped in the past seven days from 147 to 118 as recoveries outpaced new cases.

Each county reported one death in the past week that was Covid-related.

In Orleans County there are 7 new positive cases of Covid-19 to report today for a total of 2,363 positive cases since last March.

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 and 60s.

Four of the previous positive individuals have recovered and been removed from the isolation list. There are 2 county residents currently hospitalized due to Covid.

In Genesee County there are 18 new positive cases of Covid-19 for a total of 4,110 positive 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. Of the new cases, 7 are inmates at the Buffalo Federal Detention Center in Batavia, where 75 people have now tested positive for Covid during the pandemic.

Genesee is reporting 11 of the previous positive individuals have recovered and been removed from the isolation list. There are 13 Genesee residents hospitalized due to Covid.

State will provide free Covid rapid tests to nursing homes

Press Release, Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Office

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that the New York State Department of Health will allow visitation of residents in nursing home facilities in accordance with CMS and CDC guidelines.

The Department of Health recommends that visitors take a rapid test before entry into the facility, and DOH will provide rapid tests to nursing homes at no cost. Guidance on visitations will be available beginning Monday, February 22.

The Governor also announced that New York City indoor dining can expand to 35 percent capacity next Friday, February 26. The reopening is subject to strict state guidance and aligns with New Jersey’s 35 percent limit.

Covid-19 hospitalizations dropped to 6,155, the lowest level since December 17. The 7-day average positivity rate has declined for 42 straight days.

“One of the most devastating aspects of this virus has been how it separated families from their loved ones, making an already difficult situation even harder to bear,” Cuomo said. “Thanks to the dedication of New Yorkers, we’re now at a point where we can begin to resume nursing home visitations under strict guidelines to protect the health and safety of residents. The light at the end of the tunnel is getting closer, but we are not out of the woods yet.”

BATAVIA – The afternoon Covid-19 vaccine appointments at GCC in Batavia are still on schedule.

The appointments between 9 a.m. and 1:45 p.m. needed to be rescheduled due to the weather-related delay of vaccine delivery.

The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments have notified those with the earlier appointments about the need to be rescheduled for next week, but the other appointments are still set for today.

The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments today are reporting 5 new Covid cases in each county, which are among the lowest daily numbers since a Covid surge started in November.

In Orleans County the 5 new cases bring the total to 2,356 positive cases since last March.

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 20s, 30s, 40s and 60s.

Two of the current positive individuals are hospitalized. Orleans is unable to report the number of those who have recovered or the number of active positive cases today. This data will be included in tomorrow’s update. The Daily Data Chart also will be updated on Friday, the Health Departments said in a news briefing sent this afternoon.

In Genesee County the 5 new positive cases bring the Genesee total to 4,092 confirmed 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 20s, 40s and 50s. One of the new positive individuals is an inmate at the Buffalo Federal Detention Center in Batavia.

Genesee is reporting one of the previously positive individuals has recovered and been removed from the isolation list. Genesee currently has 14 residents hospitalized due to Covid.

Correction: The Health Departments retracted one positive resident of the LeRoy Village Green Residential Healthcare Facility that was determined to be a duplicate.

Health Alert from Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments

BATAVIA – Some of the Covid-19 2nd Dose Vaccine Clinic appointments scheduled for Friday at Genesee Community College in Batavia will be moved to another day due to the weather-related delay of vaccine delivery.

Anyone with an appointment between 9 a.m. and 1:45 p.m. will be contacted directly by the provided e-mail or phone number to reschedule the appointment for next week.

We apologize for the inconvenience.

UPDATED at 8:08 p.m.: Gov. Andrew Cuomo issued this statement about the vaccine shipping delays:

“The Federal government has informed New York that nearly all Covid-19 vaccine doses allocated for Week 10 — which were scheduled to be delivered between February 12th and February 21st — are delayed due to the winter storms continuing to impact much of the country. Every dose that should have shipped on Monday was held back, and only a limited number of Pfizer vaccines left shipping facilities on Tuesday and Wednesday.

“This delay will undoubtedly pose a logistical challenge for New York — but as we have shown over the last 350-plus days, we are New York Tough, and we are up to the challenge. The Department of Health is working closely with all providers, including local health departments, hospitals, pharmacies, and FQHCs to minimize the impact on their operations and reduce the number of appointments that must be rescheduled. The vaccine is the weapon that will win the war against Covid, and we will continue to work with our federal partners to expedite the delayed shipments and will keep New Yorkers updated over the coming days.”

The percentage of positive Covid-19 tests in Orleans has dropped to 3.1 percent over the past seven days.

A week ago, the 7-day average in Orleans was at 4.7 percent. On Feb. 6, Orleans was at 7.2 percent for the seven-day average, the highest in the nine-county Finger Lakes Region.

The current seven-day positivity average for the nine counties in the region includes:

• Genesee, 2.4 percent
• Livingston, 2.6 percent
• Monroe, 2.1 percent
• Ontario, 2.3 percent
• Orleans, 3.1 percent
• Seneca, 3.2 percent
• Wayne, 2.2 percent
• Wyoming, 5.3 percent
• Yates, 1.0 percent

The Finger Lakes had a 7-day positivity rate for Covid-19 at 10.29 percent on Jan. 5, among the highest in the state. Now it is well below 3 percent. The seven-day average is currently 2.39 percent for the Finger Lakes Region. The Southern Tier has the lowest rate at 0.79 percent while the Mid-Hudson is the highest at 4.40 percent.

This data from the governor’s office shows the 7-day positivity rate for the 10 regions in the state.

State-wide the daily positivity rate was 3.15 percent on Wednesday, the lowest since November 23. The 7-day average positivity rate has declined for 41 straight days, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said in a news release today.

There were also 6,434 people hospitalized due to Covid on Wednesday, which was down 140 from the previous day and a decline of nearly 3,000 from the 9,273 on Jan. 19.

The Finger Lakes hit a pandemic high with 964 hospitalized due to Covid on Dec. 28. The Covid hospitalizations was down to 265 on Wednesday in the Finger Lakes Region.

“New Yorkers fought through the holiday surge of Covid-19 and came out on the other side, and now that the numbers are decreasing we’re able to loosen the valve and increase economic activity,” Cuomo said. “We’re in a footrace between ongoing new infections and our ability to vaccinate as many New Yorkers as possible, and although we have vaccine distribution sites at the ready throughout the state, we’re limited by available supply. New Yorkers have already had huge burdens to bear, and we’re getting to the light at the end of the tunnel, but we need everyone to double down on the behaviors that make such a difference combatting this pandemic. Wash your hands, wear a mask, stay socially distanced, and be safe.”

11 of new cases are at Federal Detention Center in Batavia

The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments reported 20 new Covid cases in the two counties, with 3 in Orleans and 17 in Genesee.

In Orleans County the 3 new positive cases bring the total of 2,351 confirmed 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 the 20s and 40s.

Orleans is reporting 2 of the previous positive individuals have recovered and been removed from the isolation list.

There are currently 2 county residents hospitalized due to Covid.

Albion Central School is reporting a staff member from the Elementary School has tested positive for Covid-19. The staff member was last in school on Feb. 4. Due to the 48-hour look-back period, the Department of Health determined there was no need to quarantine any additional individuals.

In Genesee County the 17 new positive cases bring the total of 4,087 positive cases since last March.

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 and 80s.

Of the new cases, 11 are inmates at the Buffalo Federal Detention Center in Batavia, which has now had 67 inmates test positive during the pandemic. Another new case reported today is a resident of the LeRoy Village Green Residential Healthcare Facility, where 122 residents have now tested positive for Covid during the pandemic.

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

There are currently 15 Genesee residents hospitalized due to Covid.

• SCAM Alert: From the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments: We have received word that several older adults in the Rochester area were called. The caller said for a small price they could get them an appointment to be vaccinated.

The caller says no hassle, no worries. The caller “gave them an appointment” and told them to go to a state-run vaccination site in Rochester. When they arrived, they didn’t have an appointment. Lost $100. Please note that no one is to ask for money to set up Covid-19 vaccine registration. If you get a call from someone saying they can get you an appointment for a “small” amount of money, hang up, it is a scam!

County working with Genesee, Wyoming for regional mass vaccine clinic

ALBION – Orleans County officials were disappointed last week when its weekly vaccine allotment was cut from 400 to 200.

This week the county received 500 doses, plus 200 second doses for those who received the first dose about 28 days ago.

Despite the increase in allotments this week, Public Health Director Paul Pettit said there is a long way to go for the county which has about 40,000 residents.

“That’s 500 doses for tens of thousands of people,” Pettit said. “It’s obviously not enough to go around.”

The breakdown of the 500 doses this week includes 200 for the Orleans County Health Department for essential workers and those with underlying conditions. (The Health Department also will administer 200 of the second doses, making those people fully vaccinated.)

Orleans Community Health will receive 100 doses for patients and those with underlying conditions.

Oak Orchard Health will receive 100 doses for patients and those with underlying conditions.

Rosenkrans Pharmacy in Medina will receive 100 doses for residents 65 and older.

Pettit bemoaned the system for signing up for vaccines has been very frustrated for people, with typically no appointments available or the state website crashing from too many users.

Pettit and Lynne Johnson, chairwoman of the Orleans County Legislature, were on a state conference call on Tuesday afternoon with Gov. Andrew Cuomo. He said the state is working to develop regional mass vaccination sites to speed up the pace of people getting vaccinated.

Pettit and Johnson said Orleans is reaching out to Genesee and Wyoming counties for a tri-county mass vaccination clinic that may be at GCC. Pettit said the counties will apply to the state for the mass vaccination site that would include staffing from the National Guard.

Each of the three counties is too small on its own for a mass vaccination site, but Pettit said the three together have a better chance of meeting the state’s expectations and being selected for such a site.

Johnson said Cuomo, on the conference call, wants the regional clinics targeted to communities “underserved and disproportionately hit” by Covid.

“That’s us,” Johnson said in a Tuesday evening conference call with local government officials at the village, town and county level.

“Orleans County needs vaccines,” Johnson said. “As you are all aware eligibility doesn’t meet availability here in Orleans County.”

New cases reported in past 4 days include 15 in Orleans, 39 in Genesee

The number of active Covid cases in Orleans County, 38 today, is the fewest in the county since there were 37 on Dec. 1, according to data from the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments.

Genesee County, with 73 active cases reported today, is at its lowest level since it had 54 active cases on Nov. 9.

Wyoming County is reporting 61 active cases today, which is up slightly from the 58 on Feb. 9, its low in the post-holiday surge. The 58 on Feb. 9 was the fewest cases since 54 on Nov. 9.

There are currently 172 cases in the three counties. On Jan. 7 there were 718 active cases in the three counties. Orleans hit a pandemic high of 279 active cases on Jan. 7. As recently as Jan. 22, Genesee had 241 active cases. Wyoming County reached its pandemic high with 202 active cases on Jan. 8.

The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments provided the first update in local cases this afternoon since Friday.

Orleans County has 15 new confirmed positive cases of Covid, bringing the total to 2,348 cases since last March.

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, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s and 80s. One of the new cases is a resident of the Villages of Orleans Health and Rehabilitation Center in Albion.

Orleans is reporting 41 of the previous positive individuals have recovered and been removed from the isolation list. There are two county residents currently hospitalized due to Covid.

In Genesee County there 39 new confirmed cases of Covid since Friday, bringing the total to 4,070 positive 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, 60s, 70s and 80s. One of the new cases is a resident of the Premier Genesee Center for Nursing & Rehabilitation in Batavia.

Genesee is reporting 47 of the previous positive individuals have recovered and been removed from the isolation list. There are 14 Genesee residents currently hospitalized due to Covid.

Photo by Ginny Kropf: Stephanie Aquilina, X-ray technician at Medina Memorial Hospital, adjusts the new state-of-the-art 3-D mammography machine as Dr. Dale Sponaugle, director of radiology, looks on.

MEDINA – A new mammography machine at Medina Memorial Hospital will provide the most accurate diagnoses available, according to radiology staff.

Dr. Dale Sponaugle, director of radiology; Stephanie Aquilina, X-ray technician; and Erica Chutko, manager of radiology, explained the machine’s three dimensional capabilities on Friday.

“This machine allows us to see the breast three-dimensionally,” Sponaugle said. “In the past, we might have to bring a patient back in or send her somewhere else, especially women with dense breasts.”

“This machine is top notch, technically one of the most state-of-the-art in the world,” said X-ray technician Stephanie Aquilina. Since we got the machine Dec. 23, we have already caught several suspicious cases and were able to clear up a questionable area.”

Chutko explained the old two-dimensional machine provided one view from the top and one from the side, whereas, the three-dimensional machine adds an arc.

“When women have dense breasts, it is very hard to visualize what is in that tissue,” Chutko said.

“Those women are at a higher risk of something being missed,” Aquilina said.

Chutko added the new 3-D machine means there is less chance a patient will have to return for additional views, meaning she will also be subjected to less radiation.

Now there is less chance patients will have to be sent elsewhere for further testing, Aquilina said.

Since the hospital reopened its doors for elective procedures – after having to put those off due to Covid-19 restrictions, Aquilina said more than 200 patients have been X-rayed in two months.

“We used to have to send a lot of patients out for further testing, but since using our new machine, we’ve only had to send two elsewhere, she said. “That’s a huge improvement.”

Jessica Capurso, director of Wellness, Education and Marketing for Community Partners, said the new 3-D mammography X-ray machine was purchased with financial help from Orleans Community Health Foundation.

“So when you get a request for a donation, now you know where the money goes,” she said.

Orleans and Genesee counties combined are reporting 26 new confirmed cases of Covid-19 today, bringing their combined total to 6,364 since last March, the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments reported this afternoon.

In Orleans there are 14 new positive cases for a total of 2,333 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, 40s, 50s and 80s.

The county is reporting 9 more people have recovered from Covid and have been removed from isolation.

The county also currently has two people hospitalized due to Covid-19.

Correction: The Health Department removed a duplicate individual from the West Region from Thursday’s count.

Albion Central School is reporting a middle school student has tested positive for Covid-19. The student is a hybrid learner and was last in school on Feb. 8. Those determined to have been in close contact with the student have been identified and should be contacted by the Department of Health, the district stated on its website.

Medina Central School on Thursday reported an elementary school staff member and middle school student both tested positive for Covid-19. The Department of Health has investigated the case with the staff member and determined no further school-related quarantines are required, District Superintendent Mark Kruzynski said.

With the middle school student, the Department of Health is working with the school district to identify any potential close contacts and is notifying families who may have to quarantine.

In Genesee County there are 12 new positive cases of Covid for a total of 4,031 positive cases since 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). One of the new cases is a resident of Genesee Senior Living.

The 12 new cases are in the age groups of 0-19, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s.

One of the new cases is an inmate at the Buffalo Federal Detention Center in Batavia.

Genesee is reporting 12 more of the previous positive individuals have recovered and been removed from the isolation list. There are currently 14 Genesee residents hospitalized due to Covid.

Data Update: The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments will be closed on Monday for the Presidents’ Day holiday. There won’t be a Covid-19 update. The data will next be updated on Tuesday.

The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments are warning residents about scammers who are trying to get people to pay to set up vaccine appointments.

Several senior citizens in the Rochester area have been called in this scam, the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments said.

Some people have paid $100 to the scammer, believing they had an appointment set up at a state-run vaccination site in Rochester. When they arrived, there was no appointment and there were put the $100.

“Please note NO ONE is to ask for money to set up Covid-19 Vaccine Registration!” the Health Departments said. “If you get a call from someone saying they can get you an appointment for a “small” amount of money, hang up, it is a scam!”

Genesee County passes 4,000 cases during pandemic

Orleans and Genesee counties combined are reporting 36 new confirmed cases of Covid-19 today, bringing their combined total to 6,339 since last March.

In Orleans there are 16 new positive cases for a total of 2,320 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, 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s.

The new cases include 6 residents of The Villages of Orleans Health & Rehab in Albion and 4 inmates at the Orleans Correctional Facility, a men’s prison in Albion.

In Orleans, 12 more of the previous positive individuals have recovered and been removed

from the isolation list, the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments reported this afternoon.

There are currently 2 residents from the county hospitalized due to Covid.

In Genesee County there 20 new positive cases of Covid for a total of 4,019 positive cases since March. Genesee has now had 7.0 percent of its 57,280 residents have confirmed cases of Covid.

The cases have surged since October. At the end of October, Genesee had 375 cases through the first eight months of the pandemic. Genesee had 579 in November, 1,495 in December and 1,419 in January. (The county has had 152 cases so far this month.)

The 20 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 cases is a resident of Genesee Senior Living.

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

Genesee is reporting 24 more of the previous positive individuals have recovered and been removed from the isolation list. There are currently 15 Genesee residents hospitalized due to Covid.

Genesee also has had two more residents die from a Covid-related illness, bringing the total number of Genesee residents to pass away from Covid to 117 since last March. The two deaths reported today are both over age 65. One was a resident of New York State Veterans’ Home in Batavia and the other was a resident at the Batavia VA Medical Center.

“Our deepest condolences to the families and friends during this very difficult time,” the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments stated.

This data from the governor’s office shows the 7-day positivity rate for the 10 regions in the state.

The percentage of positive Covid-19 tests is decreasing in Orleans County, the Finger Lakes Region and the state.

Orleans County’s had the highest seven-day positivity rate in the nine-county Finger Lakes Region on Feb. 6 with a rate of 7.2 percent. That rate over the past seven days now is down to 4.7 percent. Orleans no longer leads the region. Wyoming County has the highest percentage at 5.8 while Genesee is lowest at 2.2 percent.

The Finger Lakes had a 7-day positivity rate for Covid-19 at 10.29 percent on Jan. 5, among the highest in the state.

The seven-day positivity rate has dropped to 2.66 percent on Wednesday, with the state-wide rate at 4.16 percent. That state-wide rate over seven days is the lowest since Dec. 1.

The state-wide rate for one day was at 3.54 percent on Wednesday, the lowest since Nov. 25.

The rate has now declined over 34 consecutive days, is down by 48 percent from the early January post-holiday peak, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said today.

The number of people hospitalized in the state due to Covid was 7,351 on Wednesday, which was down by 251 from Tuesday and down nearly 2,000 from the 9,273 on Jan. 19.

The Finger Lakes hit a pandemic high with 964 hospitalized due to Covid on Dec. 28. The Covid hospitalizations was down to 345 on Wednesday in the Finger Lakes Region.

“Across the state, from hospitalizations to infection rate, our numbers are continuing to decline – a sign of hope to all and proof of the dedication New Yorkers have shown to defeating this beast,” Cuomo said. “We are headed in the right direction, but we are not at the end of the tunnel yet. Until the day the war is won and everyone who wants one has the vaccine, we must continue to practice the guidelines we know work – washing your hands, wearing a mask and avoiding gatherings.”