KNOWLESVILLE – Orleans County has already had a big response to the first day of free rapid Covid testing in the county with 480 people already preregistered for the event on Wednesday from 1 to 4 p.m.

The county expects to offer the events every Wednesday until late January at the Fairgrounds. People should enter from Taylor Hill Road and then will exit on the east side of the property on Wood Road.

All of the slots for the self-administered test are full for tomorrow, and a new link will be posted on Thursday for people to sign up for the testing on Dec. 23.

The focus is for asymptomatic individuals. Genesee County has already had four of the events, with all of the slots filling up beforehand.

For both Genesee and Orleans, the Health Department advises the following guidelines:

• You must pre-register for any of the county clinics.
• If you have a printer, complete the GO Health Intake Form (click here) and bring it with you. If you completed the Intake form online please print it out and bring it with you. If you don’t have a printer, the form will be provided for you at the clinic.
• Make sure you have a pen in your vehicle.
• Everyone in the vehicle is to have their mask on when they pull up at the testing site.
• For those who are getting tested, they may get a call fairly quickly from an unknown number…please answer the phone. Staff cannot leave messages and can only give results to the individual tested or the guardian of minor children. Hard copy results will be e-mailed within 48 hours if we have a valid e-mail address.

The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments are reporting 83 new confirmed cases of Covid-19 today for the two counties.

In Orleans County, there are 19 new positive cases of Covid for a total of 903 positive cases since March.

The new positive cases reside in Albion, Carlton, Clarendon, Kendall, Murray, Ridgeway and Yates. The individuals are in the age groups of 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s.

Five of the individuals were on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive. Orleans also is reporting 24 of the previous positive individuals have recovered and been removed from the isolation list.

Three Orleans County residents are currently hospitalized due to complications from Covid-19.

In Genesee County, there are 64 new positive cases of Covid-19 for a total of 1,510 cases since March.

The new positive cases reside in Alabama, Alexander, Batavia, Bergen, Bethany, Byron, Elba, LeRoy, Oakfield and Pembroke.

The individuals are in the age groups of 0-19, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s. (Three of the new positive cases are residents at Premier Genesee Center for Nursing & Rehabilitation.)

Genesee is reporting 50 of the previous positive individuals have recovered and been removed from the isolation list.

Genesee has 24 residents hospitalized due to Covid, the most during the pandemic.

• Health Alert – This is a new format for announcing when there is a time when the G-O Health Departments cannot contact potential close contacts. This will replace several press releases and will be reported as needed.

The Health Departments encourage all businesses and organizations to take down names/contact information and time in attendance at their business to assist with contact tracing should someone be positive for Covid-19. This may eliminate the need for a press alert if the health officials are able to contact potential close contacts.

For people at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Batavia on Dec. 6, between 10 and 11 a.m., they should monitor for symptoms of Covid-19. If the symptoms develop, contact a primary care provider to seek testing immediately and self-isolate until the test results are received.

Symptoms of Covid-19 include but are not limited to fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, and diarrhea.

• 3-county data (active cases increase from Monday): Click here to see an online map of confirmed cases in Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties. There are currently 417 active cases in the three counties, up from 409 on Monday.

Genesee has 184 active cases (173 on Monday), Orleans has 134 (132 on Monday) and Wyoming is at 99 (104 on Monday).

Press Release, VA Western New York Healthcare System

BUFFALO/BATAVIA – VA Western New York Healthcare System announced it has been selected as one of 37 VA sites to receive initial doses of the Covid-19 vaccine.

VA WNYHS was selected for its ability to vaccinate large numbers of people and store the vaccines at extremely cold temperatures.

In accordance with Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance, VA Western New York Healthcare System will begin vaccinating VA health care personnel and veterans in VA’s long-term health care facilities now that the Food and Drug Administration issued an emergency use authorization for the vaccine.

Covid-19 vaccine implementation will include an initial limited-supply phase followed by a general implementation phase, when large supplies of the vaccine will be available to veterans who want to receive one. Our goal is to offer it to all veterans and employees who want to be vaccinated. As more vaccine becomes available, we will announce it to schedule appointments with eligible veterans.

“We are very excited to provide a vaccine that has the potential to help get Covid-19 under control when used alongside public health measures such as masking, physical distancing and frequent handwashing,” said Michael Swartz, Executive Director.

Veterans seeking additional information should visit the VA Coronavirus FAQs webpage. VA will provide more information to enrolled veterans when the phased mass vaccination will be scheduled.

Part of Genesee County – Batavia to East Pembroke – are now in a yellow micro-cluster zone, where there are some added restrictions intended to slow the spread of Covid-19.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced today that an area of Genesee County has been put in a precautionary yellow micro-cluster zone.

The area includes Batavia, East Pembroke, and goes as far north on Route 98 to near Elba, just north of Edgerton Road and south of the village. Click here to see a more detailed map.

In Genesee the cases and hospitalizations due to Covid-19 have surged since Nov. 1. As of Oct. 31, Genesee had 375 Covid-19 cases in the first eight months of the pandemic. It had 579 more in November.

In the first 13 days of December, Genesee has 492 new confirmed cases of Covid-19, and has suffered 12 deaths due to Covid. Genesee currently has 21 people hospitalized due to the virus.

The state also has expanded the Yellow Zone in Niagara County. Niagara’s Yellow zone was confined mostly to North Tonawanda, but has been expanded to include Lockport, Sanborn, and Lewiston. Click here to see the Yellow Zone map in Niagara County.

The restrictions and guidelines for the micro-cluster zones include:

Yellow

• Non-residential gatherings: 25 people maximum, indoors and outdoors
• Residential gatherings: 10 people maximum, indoors and outdoors
• Houses of worship: 50 percent of maximum capacity
• Businesses: Open
• Dining: Indoor and outdoor dining permitted but limited to a maximum of 4 people per table, and bars and restaurants close at 10 p.m. for on-premises consumption.
• Schools: Open but 20 percent weekly testing required for in-person students and faculty.

Orange

• Non-residential gatherings: 10 people maximum, indoors and outdoors
• Residential gatherings: 10 people maximum, indoors and outdoors
• Houses of worship: Lesser of 33% of maximum capacity or 25 people
• Businesses: Gyms, fitness centers and classes operate at 25% capacity; barber shops, hair salons, personal care services can provide services so long as employees performing services are tested for COVID-19 on a weekly basis.
• Dining: Gyms, fitness centers and classes operate at 25% capacity; barber shops, hair salons, personal care services can provide services so long as employees performing services are tested for COVID-19 on a weekly basis.
• Schools: Closed to remote-only but can reopen if they follow new guidelines that require mass testing in schools before they reopen followed by vigilant symptom and exposure screening conducted daily.

Red

• Non-residential gatherings: prohibited
• Residential gatherings: prohibited
• Houses of worship: Lesser of 25% of maximum capacity or 10 people
• Businesses: Non-essential businesses are closed
• Dining: Takeout or delivery only
• Schools: Closed to remote-only but can reopen if they follow new guidelines that require mass testing in schools before they reopen followed by vigilant symptom and exposure screening conducted daily.

2 deaths due to Covid also reported in Genesee

The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments are reporting 164 new confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the two counties since the last update on Friday afternoon.

In Orleans County, there are 55 new cases since Friday, bringing the county’s total to 884 cases since March.

The new positive cases are residents of Albion, Barre, Carlton, Clarendon, Gaines, Kendall, Murray, Ridgeway and Shelby. The individuals are in the age groups of 0-19, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s.

Of the new cases, 16 were on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive. The county is also reporting 67 of the previous positive individuals have recovered and been removed from the isolation list.

In Orleans, 4 of the current positive individuals are hospitalized.

Albion Central School was notified today that three high school students and one elementary student tested positive for Covid-19 over the weekend. Two of the high school students learn remotely while the third high schooler and elementary student are both hybrid learners, the district said.

The last day the hybrid students were in school was Tuesday, Dec. 8. Contact tracing and the quarantine of students and staff members was implemented according to Health Department guidelines.

Medina Central School notified the community that six students have tested positive since the last update on Friday, which includes four in the high school, one in the middle school and one in the elementary school.

The four in the high school were on precautionary quarantine and the Health Department has determined no further quarantines are required from school contract, District Superintendent Mark Kruzynski said in a letter to the community today.

The middle school student also was on precautionary quarantine, and the elementary student is 100 percent remote learning. No further quarantines are needed with both students and their school contacts, Kruzynski said.

In Genesee County, there are 109 new positive cases of Covid-19 since Friday, bringing the Genesee total to 1,446 positive cases since March.

The new positive cases reside in Alabama, Alexander, Batavia, Bergen, Bethany, Byron, Darien, Elba, LeRoy, Oakfield, Pavilion and Pembroke.

The individuals are in the age groups of 0-19, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s. (Of the new cases 13 are residents at the New York State Veterans Home in Batavia.)

Genesee is reporting 97 of the previous positive individuals have recovered and been removed from the isolation list.

Genesee has 21 residents hospitalized due to Covid, according to the news briefing from the Health Departments.

Genesee also was notified of 2 deaths of community members due from Covid. One of the individuals was over age 65 and the other was under 65.

“To protect the individual and their family we will not be releasing any further information,” the G-O Health Departments said. “We express our deepest condolences to the family and friends of this community member during this very difficult time.”

Genesee has now had 12 residents die from Covid in December and 19 since March.

• Yellow Micro-Cluster Zone: Batavia and part of Genesee County have been designated as a being in a Yellow micro-cluster zone. The state hasn’t updated the map yet. Click here to be directed to the state website on micro-cluster zones.

The following restrictions are now in place in these identified locations:

• for non-residential gatherings – 25 people maximum, indoors and outdoors
• residential gatherings – 10 people maximum, indoors and outdoors
• House of Worship – 50% of maximum capacity
• Businesses are open
• Dining indoor and outdoor dining permitted with 4 person maximum per table, and bars and restaurants close at 10:00 p.m. for on-premises consumption
• Schools are open with 20% weekly testing of in-person students and faculty.

”We continue to encourage everyone whether located in a micro-cluster zone or not to limit gatherings as much as possible, properly wear masks/face coverings, social distance at least 6 feet, frequently wash/sanitize your hands and frequently shared surfaces to minimize the spread,” the G-O Health Departments said. “If the rates continue to increase further restrictions are possible.”

• Health Alert – This is a new format for announcing when there is a time when the G-O Health Departments cannot contact potential close contacts. This will replace several press releases and will be reported as needed.

We encourage all businesses to take down names/contact information and time in attendance at their business to assist with contact tracing should someone be positive for Covid-19. This may eliminate the need for a press alert if we are able to contact potential close contacts.):

For people at the three locations above during the stated times, they should monitor for symptoms of Covid-19. If the symptoms develop, contact a primary care provider to seek testing immediately and self-isolate until the test results are received.

Symptoms of Covid-19 include but are not limited to fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, and diarrhea.

• 3-county data (active cases decline): Click here to see an online map of confirmed cases in Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties. There are currently 409 active cases in the three counties, which is down from 443 on Friday.

Genesee has 173 actives cases, Orleans has 132 and Wyoming is at 104.

In past week Orleans reports 143 new cases while Genesee has 251 more

Orleans and Genesee counties combined are reporting 52 new confirmed cases of Covid-19 today. That brings the totals in the past seven days to 143 new cases in Orleans and 251 more in Genesee County.

In Orleans County, there are 21 new confirmed cases of Covid-19 reported today, bringing the total to 829 positive cases since March. For the first time, one of the new cases is an inmate at the Orleans Correctional Facility, a men’s prison on Gaines Basin Road.

The new positive cases reported today in the county reside in Albion, Barre, Carlton, Clarendon, Gaines, Murray, Ridgeway, Shelby and Yates. The individuals are in the age groups of 0-19, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s and 70s.

One of the cases is a resident of Orchard Rehabilitation & Nursing Center, a nursing home on Bates Road in Medina.

Of the new cases, nine were on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive, the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments said in a new briefing at about 4 p.m.

Orleans is reporting 14 of the previous positive individuals have recovered and been removed from the isolation list.

The county has three residents hospitalized due to Covid-19.

• Holley Central School is reporting a bus driver has tested positive for Covid-19. The last day the driver worked was Tuesday, Dec. 8.

“The Health Department is still processing this case with the driver and we will cooperate with them,” Brian Bartalo, district superintendent, said in a letter on the district website. “If warranted, any official communication for mandatory quarantining of students or staff members will come directly from the health department. If the health department indicates to us that there is quarantining required for the students who rode that bus, we will reach out to those families ASAP. In the meantime, if you don’t hear from the school district or the department of health, there’s nothing for anyone to do at this time.”

• Kendall Central School is reporting the first student in the district has tested positive for Covid-19. The student is in the elementary school and was last in the building on Dec. 3. No students or staff need to be quarantined and school will continue as scheduled, according to a letter from Julie Christensen, the district superintendent.

• Medina Central School is reporting a high school student tested positive for Covid-19 and a middle school staff member also tested positive. The Health Department has worked with the school district to see if any students or other staff need to be quarantined. Those school contacts have been notified. The Health Department may reach out to others if they determine there was potential Covid exposure outside of the school, District Superintendent Mark Kruzynski said in a letter on the district’s website.

In Genesee County, there are 31 new positive cases of Covid-19 for a total of 1,337 positive cases since March.

The new positive cases reside in Alabama, Batavia, Bergen, Byron, Darien, LeRoy, Oakfield, Pembroke and Stafford.

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

Genesee is reporting 42 of the previous positive individuals have recovered and been removed from the isolation list.

The county has 22 people hospitalized due to Covid, a high for Genesee during the pandemic.

• 3-county data: Click here to see an online map of confirmed cases in Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties. There are currently 443 active cases, which is down from 449 on Thursday.

Orleans has a new record high of 144 active cases, which is up from 139 on Thursday, 122 on Wednesday, 92 on Tuesday and 89 on Monday.

Genesee, which had 269 active cases on Monday, has been able to reduce that number to 176 today.

Wyoming has 123 actives cases, which ties its record high from Thursday. The 123 is up from 110 on Wednesday, which matched the previous high set on Dec. 4.

The new confirmed Covid-19 cases today include 53 combined for Orleans and Genesee counties, as well as 60 recoveries for people who contracted the virus.

In Orleans County, there are 30 new positive cases of Covid-19, bringing the total to 808 cases since March.

The new positive cases reside in Albion, Barre, Carlton, Clarendon, Gaines, Murray, Ridgeway, Shelby and Yates. One of the new cases is a resident of Orchard Rehabilitation & Nursing Center in Medina.

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

Orleans is reporting 6 of the individuals were on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive.

The county also has had 12 of the previous positive individuals recover and be removed from the isolation list.

There are five people from the county hospitalized due to complications from Covid-19.

• Albion Central School was informed today that a staff member from the elementary school tested positive for Covid-19. The Health Department has completed contact tracing for the staff member and contacted those identified as close contacts.

• Holley Central School yesterday said an elementary school staff member and four Holley students tested positive for Covid-19.

The last day the staff member was in school was Wednesday, December 2. None of the students (three at the elementary and one at the Middle/High School) have been in school since Nov. 23 (prior to Thanksgiving), District Superintendent Brian Bartalo posted on the district website.

Since the students have not been in school for over two weeks, there will not be contract tracing for them. The Department of Health is processing the case with the staff member and the district will cooperate with the health officials.

• Medina Central School is reporting five new confirmed cases, with two students and one staff member in the high school, and two students in the middle school. The Health Department determined no school-related quarantines needed for the two cases in the middle school, while the Health Department and school district worked to determine which students and staff will need to be quarantined, according to a letter on the district website from Mark Kruzynski, the district superintendent.

In Genesee County there are 23 new confirmed cases of Covid-19, bringing Genesee’s total to 1,306 positive cases since March.

The new positive cases reside in Alexander, Batavia, Bergen, Byron, Darien, LeRoy and Pembroke. One of the new cases is a resident at the VA Medical Center in Batavia.

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

Genesee also is reporting 48 of the previous positive individuals have recovered and been removed from the isolation list.

The county has 21 residents hospitalized due to Covid.

• Rapid Testing: Orleans County will be hosting a rapid testing clinic on Dec. 16 from 1 to 4 p.m. The focus is for asymptomatic individuals and is free. This is a self-administered rapid test at the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds, 12690 Rt. 31 in Knowlesville. Enter the fairgrounds from the Taylor Hill Road entrance.

To schedule a test for the Orleans County drive-through clinic, register on-line (click here). To access the Rapid Test Intake Form, click here. The filled out form should be printed and brought to the clinic. For assistance with the online registration call the Orleans County Health Department at 585-589-3278.

• 3-County Data: Click here to see an online map of confirmed cases in the three rural counties of Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming. There are currently 449 active cases in the three counties, which ties Monday for having the most during the pandemic.

Orleans has a new record high of 139 active cases, up from 122 on Wednesday, 92 on Tuesday and 89 on Monday.

Genesee, which had 269 active cases on Monday, has been able to reduce that number to 187 today.

Wyoming has a record high of active cases today at 123, up from 110 on Wednesday, which matched the previous high set on Dec. 4.

The Finger Lakes Region, which includes Orleans County, leads the regions of the state for highest percentage of positive cases.

• State-wide Data: The state reported 10,178 new cases of Covid-19 on Wednesday out of 197,406 tests, for a positivity rate of 5.15 percent.

The number of hospitalizations for a Covid-related illness was at 5,164 on Wednesday. That is up from 4,063 on Dec. 3 and 2,124 on Nov. 17.

Press Release, Oak Orchard Health

ALBION – In collaboration with the Orleans County Public Health Department, Oak Orchard Health will be offering free Rapid Covid-19  tests at Oak Orchard’s Albion location, 301 West Ave.

This drive-through clinic will be conducted on Friday, December 18, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Asymptomatic testing is for people who don’t have symptoms but want tests completed for other purposes such as travel and work requirements.

No appointments are needed, however, you must have your form completed prior to testing. You can find the form by clicking here.

To help the process please note the following guidelines:

• Please print and complete this form (click here).
• Make sure you have a pen in your vehicle.
• Everyone in the vehicle is to have their mask on when they pull up at the testing site.
• For those who are getting tested, they may get a call quickly from an unknown number…please answer the phone. Staff cannot leave messages and can only give results to the individual tested or the guardian of minor children.
• If the results are positive, you will be notified by the New York State Department of Health.

These free tests and swabbing kits are being provided by NYSDOH.

Free testing for asymptomatic people expected to continue through January

Press Release, Orleans County Health Department

KNOWLESVILLE – Orleans County will be offering residents, who are asymptomatic (no symptoms, not feeling sick, etc.) free drive-through Covid-19 self-administered rapid testing at the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds, 12690 Route 31. The entrance to the clinic is the west entrance on Taylor Hill Rd off Route 31.

The free testing will be offered from 1 to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, December 16. As a reminder, for anyone who had a recent potential exposure to Covid-19, it is not recommended to be tested until at least 5 days have passed since the exposure.

To schedule a test, please register online by clicking here. Anyone needing additional help for online registration may contact the Orleans County Health Department at 585-589-3278.

“Our Genesee County clinics have had exceptional turnouts and will continue to be offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays at least through January,” stated Paul Pettit, Director for the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments. “We anticipate that the Orleans County clinics will continue on Wednesdays from 1 to 4 p.m. through January as well.”

To help the process please note the following guidelines:

• Complete your test intake form (click here).
• Print out your completed forms (each person in your vehicle should have their own form) and bring them with you to the clinic.
• Make sure you have a pen in your vehicle.
• Everyone in the vehicle is to have their mask on when they pull up at the testing site

Those who are testing could get a call fairly quickly from an unknown number…please answer the phone. Staff cannot leave messages and can only give results to the individuals tested or the guardian of minor children.

“We are working with our county partners to put these clinics on as the Health Department staff continue to do case investigations to lessen the impact of the virus,” stated Lynne Johnson, Orleans County Legislative Chair. “This helps us identify those who are potentially infected and preventing them from spreading the virus to others. This will also help lower our positivity rate. We look forward to providing this service to our residents.”

2 counties combined pass 2,000 Covid cases since March

Orleans and Genesee counties are reporting 85 more confirmed cases of Covid-19 today in the two counties. Those cases push the total past 2,000 in the two counties since March.

In Orleans, there are 37 new positive cases reported today, with the total to 778 positive cases since March.

The new positive cases reside in all 10 towns of the county – Albion, Barre, Carlton, Clarendon, Gaines, Kendall, Murray, Ridgeway, Shelby and Yates. The individuals are in the age groups of 0-19, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, and 70s.

Of the new cases, 13 of the individuals were on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive, the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments said in a news briefing.

The county is reporting that 6 of the previous positive individuals have recovered and been removed from the isolation list.

There are currently 6 positive individuals hospitalized.

• Albion Central School notified the community today that a student in the elementary school and one in the high school have tested positive for Covid-19. Contact tracing and the quarantine of students and staff members was implemented according to Health Department guidelines, the district said.

• The Medina Central School reported that a staff member at Wise Intermediate/Middle School tested positive for Covid-19. The Department of Health has determined that there is no need for any further quarantines related to any school contact, the district said.

In Genesee County, there are 46 new positive cases for a total of 1,283 since March.

The new positive cases reside in Alabama, Alexander, Batavia, Bergen, Bethany, Byron, Darien, Elba, LeRoy, Pavilion and Pembroke. The individuals are in the age groups of 0-19, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s.

Of the new cases one is a resident at the Grand Rehabilitation and Nursing at Batavia, two are residents at Premier Genesee Center for Nursing & Rehabilitation, and two are at the VA Medical Center. In addition, one of the previous community active cases has been identified as a resident of the Grand Rehabilitation and Nursing at Batavia.

Genesee is reporting 58 of the previous positive individuals have recovered and been removed from the isolation list.

Genesee has 21 residents hospitalized due to Covid, the highest during the pandemic.

The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments has a new format for announcing when there is a time when they can’t contact potential close contacts.

The above chart will replace several press releases and will be reported as needed. The Health Departments say people may have been exposed to Covid from noon to 1 p.m. on Dec. 2 at O’Lacy’s Irish Pub in Batavia.

For people at O’Lacy’s during this time, they should monitor for symptoms of Covid-19. If the symptoms develop, contact a primary care provider to seek testing immediately and self-isolate until the test results are received.

Symptoms of Covid-19 include but are not limited to fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, and diarrhea.

• 3-County Data: Click here to see an online map of confirmed cases in the three rural counties of Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming. There are currently 445 active cases in three counties, up from 422 on Tuesday and down slightly from the 449 on Monday, which is the peak for active cases during the pandemic.

Orleans has a new record high of 122 active cases, up from 89 on Monday and 92 on Tuesday. Genesee is at 213 active cases, down from 269 on Monday and 231 on Tuesday. Wyoming has 110 active cases today, which ties its high of 110 on Dec. 4. Wyoming had 91 on Monday and 99 on Tuesday.

First priority: nursing home residents and staff, high-risk hospital workers

Gov. Andrew Cuomo said today he expects the first shipments of a Covid-19 vaccine to be available in the state, possibly this weekend.

The state is due to receive 170,000 doses in the first Pfizer shipment. The governor said the first doses of the vaccine will go to nursing home residents and staff, and high-risk hospital workers.

The state will develop guidance on who should be considered high-risk hospital workers (emergency room, intensive care units) but Cuomo said each hospital will decide who gets the first round of the vaccine.

The governor said the first does of the vaccine will be distributed by the following amounts per region: 11,150 in Finger Lakes Region (which includes Orleans), 14,500 in Western New, 4,500 in Southern Tier, 6,400 in Central New York, 19,200 in Mid-Hudson, 3,700 in North Country, 4,200 in Mohawk Valley, 7,850 in Capital Region, 26,500 in Long Island and 72,000 in New York City.

Cuomo said the state will launch a public education campaign to encourage people to take the vaccine. He said 75-80 percent of the population needs to take it for it to be effective in shutting down Covid-19. He said he is concerned that 50 percent of the population don’t trust the new vaccine.

Cuomo has offered to be among the first to take it to show his confidence in the vaccine. He said vaccinating the population is needed to allow the state and country to move on from the Covid crisis, which has caused the deaths of nearly 300,000 Americans since March.

MEDINA – Orleans Community Health has announced that Medina Memorial Hospital has been provided with the antibody medications approved by the FDA under an Emergency Use Authorization through the Federal and State Covid-19 programs.

“These medications are for patients who are confirmed positive for Covid-19 and have high risk complications that put them at a high risk for hospitalization”, said Kathleen Brauen, Pharm D. Director of Pharmacy at Orleans Community Health.

The drugs are Bamlanivimab and Casirivimab/Imdevimab.

Both drugs can only be given to non-hospitalized patients with mild or moderate symptoms only. They are an infusion and must be administered at the hospital. The infusion and observation period required are around two hours, Brauen said.

Patients interested in these drugs should discuss them with their healthcare provider to determine if they are a good candidate.

Any medical provider interested in setting up these infusions at Orleans Community Health for their patients can call Melanie Lusk in Care Management at 798-8490.

Events will be Wednesdays, starting Dec. 16, for 7 weeks or longer

KNOWLESVILLE – Orleans County will offer free rapid testing for Covid-19 for the first time starting next Wednesday, Dec. 16, at the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds.

The testing is for people who are asymptomatic for Covid. Those with symptoms should consult with a medical provider on getting tested.

The events at the fairgrounds will be from 1 to 4 p.m. and are expected to last seven weeks. The times could be modified and there could be additional weeks depending on demand, Public Health Director Paul Pettit shared during a conference call with local elected officials today.

More details need to be worked out and the Health Department will be releasing more information soon about the rapid testing.

The public will need to register online, to help manage the traffic flow and stagger the arrivals. Pettit said more information and an online signup will be available soon.

People should enter the fairgrounds from Taylor Hill Road and go to the north side of the Trolley Building. After their test sample and results, they should exit from Wood Road.

Genesee County has offered rapid testing last Thursday and today at the Genesee County Emergency Management Office & Fire Training Facility on State Street Road in the Town of Batavia.

There were 400 people who were tested on Thursday and 470 today, with 32 positives today, said Pettit, who is public health director in Orleans and Genesee. The Genesee events are drawing people from six or seven counties, he said. Click here to sign up for the event at Genesee. An online registration hasn’t been set up yet for Orleans.

Lynne Johnson, Orleans County Legislature chairwoman, said she appreciates free testing will soon be an option in the county.

She urged local towns and villages to dedicate some of their personnel to help run the events, which she said will take about 20 to 25 people to manage.

Pettit said the county officials have been pressing the state for months for free testing options in Genesee and Orleans.

“I think we’re finally moving the needle on this,” he said.

Genesee and Orleans counties are reporting 44 new confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the two counties today. Genesee also is reporting two deaths from Covid, and Orleans also had a resident die from a Covid-related illness.

In Orleans County, there are 23 new positive cases, bringing the total to 741 positive cases since March.

The new positive cases reside in Albion, Barre, Clarendon, Gaines, Kendall, Murray, Ridgeway, Shelby and Yates. The individuals are in the age groups of 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s and 70s.

Two of the individuals were on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive, the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments said in an afternoon news briefing.

The resident who passed away from a Covid-related illness was community member over the age of 65 who wasn’t in a nursing home. Orleans has now had 59 people die due to Covid.

“We will not be releasing any further information to protect the individual and their family,” the Health Departments said. “Our hearts go out to the family and friends of this community member during this very difficult time.”

The county also reported 20 of the previous positive individuals recovered and have been removed from the isolation list. Six of the current positive individuals are hospitalized, which is down from nine the previous day.

• Albion Central School reported today that two elementary school staff members tested positive for Covid-19. Contact tracing and the quarantine of students and staff members was implemented according to Health Department guidelines, the district stated on its website.

• Lyndonville Central School was notified today that a staff member tested positive for Covid-19. The staff member was last on campus on Friday, Dec. 3. No students or staff need to be quarantined after confirmation from the Orleans County Health Department, the district stated on its website.

In Genesee County, there are 21 new positive cases for a total of 1,237 Covid cases since March.

The new positive cases reside in Batavia, Bergen, Bethany, Byron, Elba, LeRoy, Oakfield and Pembroke. The individuals are in the age groups of 0-19, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s and 70s.

The county is reporting 57 of the previous positive individuals have recovered and been removed from the isolation list. Genesee has 17 people hospitalized due to Covid, which is down from 20 the previous day.

The two residents who died due to a Covid-related illness are both community members over the age of 65. They weren’t nursing home residents. Genesee has now had 10 people die this month due to Covid, and 17 during the pandemic.

The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments has a new format for announcing when there is a time when they can’t contact potential close contacts.

The above chart will replace several press releases and will be reported as needed.

“We encourage all businesses to take down names/contact information and time in attendance at their business to assist with contact tracing should someone be positive for Covid-19,” the Health Departments said. “This may eliminate the need for a press alert if we are able to contact potential close contacts.”

For people who were at these establishments at the state times and if symptoms of Covid-19 develop, contact your primary care provider to seek testing immediately and self-isolate until you receive your test results.

Symptoms of COVID-19 include but are not limited to fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, and diarrhea.

• 3-County Data: Click here to see an online map of confirmed cases in the three rural counties of Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming. There are currently 422 active cases in the three counties, with 231 in Genesee, 92 in Orleans and 99 in Wyoming. That is down from the 449 in the three counties on Monday, which was the peak for active cases during the pandemic.

The three-county combined numbers were down even though the active cases are up in Orleans (from 89 to 92) and Wyoming (from 91 to 99). Geneses’s active cases dropped from 269 to 231 since Monday.

MEDINA – The Covid-19 pandemic has changed lives for everyone, especially for the nation’s hospitals.

Orleans Community Health and Medina Memorial Hospital are no exception.

Jessica Capurso, director of Outreach, Education and Marketing, has documented some of the steps Medina’s health care professionals have undertaken to insure staff, patients and visitors are safe.

First, all staff must complete Covid-19 screening and temperature checks every time they enter the hospital after being off the hospital campus.

All patients must complete Covid-19 screening and temperature checks upon arrival for appointments, and all patients are required to wear a mask covering their nose and mouth. All staff are also required to wear masks covering their nose and mouth. In addition, staff must wear surgical or N-95 masks, as well as goggles and/or face shields while interacting with patients and/or co-workers.

Extra office cleaning protocols have been put in place. After patient rooms are stripped and cleaned by Environmental Services, a Clorox Total 360 System machine is utilized to spray the entire room with disinfectant cleaner that kills 99.9% of bacteria. This machine helps to reach places that may have been missed by the human hand or places that are out of reach.

Not only are these practices more time-consuming, they also incur added expenses for the hospital.

Other changes resulting from the pandemic are the absence of the Twig volunteers, who manned the greeter desk in the lobby and the reception desk in registration area, saving the hospital money and saving hospital staff extra work.

At Medina Memorial Hospital, all services are by appointment only. No visitors are allowed in the lobby, so patients must enter by themselves, with the exception of minor children and those with a mental or physical disability which hospital staff is unable to support.

Emergency Room patients’ families have to leave a number which is given to the treatment team so the ER can provide updates.

Appointments can be made by calling 798-2000.

Middleport lab services at Dr. Stahl’s office are by appointment only unless there is/was a scheduled office visit there on the same day. Appointments can be made by calling 798-2000.

The Albion Walk-in Medical Clinic continues to offer walk-in services with no appointments. Services available can be viewed by clicking here.