By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 November 2020 at 4:57 pm
In past 8 days, Orleans has 86 cases, while Genesee has 143
Genesee and Orleans counties continue to see increases in Covid-19 cases with 9 more confirmed cases today in Orleans and 17 more in Genesee.
Orleans has now had 538 people test positive for Covid since March, including 86 in the past 8 days or 16 percent of the total.
In Genesee, 615 people have tested positive since March, including 143 in the past 8 days or 23 percent of the total.
In Orleans, the nine new cases today are residents in Barre, Carlton, Clarendon, Murray and Ridgeway. The individuals are in the age groups of 0-19, 40s, 50s and 60s.
Three of the individuals were on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive, the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments said.
Orleans also is reporting six more recoveries and those residents have been removed from the isolation list.
The county has four people hospitalized due to Covid, which is down from the six on Monday.
Genesee County’s 17 new positive cases are residents from Alexander, Batavia, Darien, Elba, LeRoy and Pembroke.
The individuals are in the age groups of 0-19, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s and 70s.
None of the individuals were on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive, the Health Departments reported in a news briefing.
Genesee also is reporting 21 recoveries and those people have been removed from the isolation list.
Genesee continues to have 9 people hospitalized due to Covid.
Click here to see an online map of confirmed cases in Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties. There are currently 268 active cases in the three counties, with 141 in Genesee, with 74 in Orleans and 53 in Wyoming.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 November 2020 at 5:52 pm
Orleans County has 10 more confirmed cases of Covid-19 for a total of 529 positive cases since March.
The new positive cases reside in Albion, Barre, Clarendon, Murray, Ridgeway and Shelby. The individuals are in the age groups of 0-19, 20s, 30s, 60s and 70s.
Three of the individuals were on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive.
Eight of the previous positive individuals have recovered and have been removed from the isolation list, the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments said. Orleans now has 289 recoveries in the community, which doesn’t include people in nursing homes or other facilities regulated by the state.
Orleans has four people hospitalized due to Covid-19.
• 2 Albion students test positive: The Albion school district also reported this afternoon that two students tested positive for Covid-19. One of the students is a hybrid learner from the high school while the other is a hybrid learner from the middle school.
Both students were last in school on Nov. 9. The Health Department determined there is no need to do further contact tracing due to the 48-hour look-back period, the school district said in an update on its website.
In Genesee County, there are 20 new confirmed cases, bringing Genesee’s total to 598 since March. (Two of the previous positive individuals were transferred to another county due to their residency.)
The new positive cases in Genesee are residents of Alexander, Batavia, Darien, Elba, LeRoy, Oakfield and Pembroke.
The individuals are in the age groups of 0-19, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s 70s and 80s.
One of the individuals was on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive, the Health Departments said.
Genesee is reporting 15 of the previous positive individuals have recovered and been removed from the isolation list, bringing the recoveries in the community to 387.
In Genesee, nine people are hospitalized due to Covid-19.
State-wide data: Gov. Andrew Cuomo is reporting 5,088 people tested positive for Covid on Monday out of 159,852 tests results, for a 3.18 percent positivity rate.
The total hospitalizations are up to 2,124, which compares to 1,968 on Sunday. On Sept. 6, there were 410 hospitalizations in the state due to Covid, and 748 on Oct. 7.
“The number of cases across the country and in New York are only continuing to climb,” Cuomo said. “Despite our success in managing the spread, New York is not immune to this national surge of Covid. Our micro-cluster strategy and testing capacity will help us through this new season, but ensuring we don’t go back to where we were in the spring is going to depend on our behavior. We all have a part to play – wear a mask, stay socially distant, avoid gatherings large and small, and wash your hands religiously.”
Press Release, Genesee & Orleans County Health Departments
BATAVIA – The Genesee County Health Department has received a positive Covid-19 test from an individual who was at The Harvester in Batavia last week, November 8th through the 14th.
Contact tracing is in progress. However, unidentified individuals may have unknowingly been in contact with the positive case at the tavern.
We advise all individuals who were at The Harvester anytime last week to monitor their symptoms for 14 days. 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.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 November 2020 at 6:26 pm
Orleans passes 500 cases since March; 2 counties have nearly 1,000 people on mandatory quarantine
Orleans County is reporting 25 new confirmed Covid-19 cases today in the first update since Friday. Genesee County is reporting 78 new cases. The two counties combined are reporting that 843 people are on mandatory quarantine with 633 in Genesee and 210 in Orleans.
The new confirmed cases in Orleans are in nine out of the 10 towns: Albion, Barre, Carlton, Clarendon, Gaines, Murray, Ridgeway, Shelby and Yates. Kendall is the only town without a new case since Friday.
The new cases are in all of the age groups categorized by the local Health Department: 0-19, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s.
The Genesee & Orleans County health Departments are reporting three of the individuals were on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive.
In Orleans, 18 of the previous positive individuals have recovered and been removed from the isolation list. The county now has six people hospitalized due to Covid-19.
• The Villages – The Health Department has been notified that 2 residents of The Villages of Orleans Health and Rehabilitation Center have tested positive, the first new cases in the nursing home in several months. The Villages has now had 60 residents test positive during the pandemic. No further information will be shared by the Health Department.
• Medina Central School – The Health Department has been notified that one staff member of the Medina Central School District has tested positive. The individual is on mandatory isolation until they recover. Contact tracing has been done for those who are considered close contacts and will be on mandatory quarantine for 14 days from the last contact with the positive individual.
In Genesee County, there are 78 new confirmed cases from Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday. The county has now had 580 positive cases since March. This report reconciles the positive cases from last week including the 30 reported on Friday.
The new positive cases includes residents in 13 communities – Alabama, Alexander, Batavia, Bergen, Bethany, Byron, Darien, Elba, LeRoy, Oakfield, Pavilion, Pembroke and Stafford.
The new cases also include all of the age groups – 0-19, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s.
Nine of the individuals were on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive, the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments said in a news briefing this evening.
Genesee is reporting that 31 of the previous positive individuals have recovered and been removed from the isolation list.
There are currently 5 Genesee residents hospitalized due to Covid.
Two of the active positive cases are residents from The Grand Rehabilitation and Nursing at Batavia and one is a resident at the Batavia VA Medical Center.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 16 November 2020 at 5:13 pm
MEDINA – Orleans Community Health/Medina Memorial Hospital is hosting a series of focus groups this week in an effort to obtain community/consumer-based input on the services provided through the local healthcare system.
The local healthcare provider also wants to hear if there are any barriers residents may have experienced or know what others may experience when it comes to receiving proper healthcare throughout the county.
Anyone who lives or works in Orleans County is welcome to participate in these groups, according to Jessica Capurso, director of Outreach, Education and Marking at the hospital’s Community Partners.
All sessions will be presented in a hybrid format, meaning one can attend in person at the Shelby Fire Hall or attend virtually through a Zoom call. Due to the quick pace of the sessions, they will be limited to 10 participants each.
Session times and dates are 1 or 5:30 p.m. Nov. 17 and 18; 1 p.m. only on Nov. 19 and 5:30 p.m. only on Nov. 20.
For all those who attend in person at Shelby Fire Hall, a light meal, snacks and refreshments will be provided. Masks, sanitizer and temperature checks will be required upon entering the facility, and social distancing will be practiced throughout the event.
Registration is required by e-mailing Heather Smith, Orleans Community Health Foundation director, at hsmith@medinamemorial.org or calling her at (585) 798-8426.
In your e-mail or voice message, please be sure to include name, e-mail, phone number, date and time of the session you want to attend and indicate if you are attending in person or through Zoom. For those attending via Zoom, Smith will send a link to log in before noon the day of the meeting.
Smith extended thanks to Shelby Fire hall for donating their space for these sessions.
“We appreciate their dedication to improving healthcare throughout our community,” Smith said.
Press Release, Genesee & Orleans County Health Departments
BATAVIA – The Genesee County Health Department has received a positive Covid-19 test from an individual who was at Bourbon & Burger restaurant in Batavia on:
Thursday, Nov. 5, between 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 6, between 2 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 7, between 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Monday, Nov. 9, between 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Contact tracing is in progress. However, unidentified individuals may have unknowingly been in contact with the positive case.
We advise all individuals who were at Bourbon & Burger on the stated dates and times to monitor their symptoms for 14 days. 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.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 November 2020 at 5:06 pm
Orleans County has 12 more confirmed cases of Covid-19, including, for the first time, three inmates in the county jail. Orleans has now had 494 people test positive for Covid-19 since March.
The new positive cases reside in Albion, Kendall, Murray, Ridgeway and Shelby. The individuals are in the following age groups: 0-19, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s and 70s.
Three of the individuals were on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive.
Orleans also has had 14 more people recover from Covid and have been removed from the isolation list, the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments reported this afternoon.
Two county residents are currently hospitalized due to Covid.
• Medina Central School also advised the community in a letter that two staff members tested positive for Covid-19. They have been on mandatory quarantine since Nov. 9.
Mark Kruzynski, the district superintendent, said there likely won’t be any contact tracing at the school because the two employees have been home since Nov. 9. The Health Department will decide if any additional action is needed.
The data isn this chart is cumulative going back to March.
Genesee County received 30 new positive cases of Covid-19. This is reflective from the cases reported yesterday, Health Department officials said.
Due to the volume of positives cases received today, data from Genesee will be updated as soon as possible, the department said. Staff is working on contact tracing.
The new positive cases reside in Alabama, Alexander, Batavia, Bergen, Elba, LeRoy, Oakfield, Pavilion and Pembroke. The individuals are in the age groups of 0-19, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s and 70s.
One of the individuals was on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive.
Genesee also has 19 more recoveries from Covid and they have been removed from the isolation list.
Genesee has 3 residents in the hospital due to Covid.
• The Health Department has been notified of a two positive staff members at Batavia Middle School. The individuals are on mandatory isolation until they recover. Contact tracing is in process for those who are considered close contacts and will be placed on mandatory quarantine for 14 days from the last contact with the positive individual. The school will remain open unless otherwise announced.
• The Health Department has been notified of a two positive students and one positive staff member at Pavilion Middle School. The individuals are on mandatory isolation until they recover. Contact tracing is in process for those who are considered close contacts and will be placed on mandatory quarantine for 14 days from the last contact with the positive individual. The school will remain open unless otherwise announced.
• 3-county data: Click here to see an online map of confirmed cases in Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties. There are 212 active cases in the three counties, with 98 in Genesee, 67 in Orleans and and 47 in Wyoming.
A reminder the numbers listed as positive/active are current community cases. The recovered numbers are only for community cases and do not include non-county regulated facilities. The total positive cases includes community active/positive, community recovered and all those from non-county regulated facilities.
Additional updates from the Health Departments:
• New restrictions – Effective today 13 at 10 p.m., bars, restaurants and gyms, as well as any State Liquor Authority-licensed establishment, must close in-person service from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. daily.
Effective today, indoor and outdoor gatherings at private residences will be limited to no more than 10 people.
• Faith-based organizations: Consider continuing or reinstating remote worship due to increased numbers of positive Covid-19 cases to protect your more vulnerable population.
For those who are at risk of complications for Covid-19 or the flu, consider to connect with your house of worship remotely to lessen the risk of contracting Covid-19 or the flu.
If you are sick or experiencing new symptoms, stay home and worship remotely. Don’t share your germs with others.
• Time-Distance-Masks-Hands!: In order to limit the spread of Covid-19 you need to rethink any upcoming gatherings. The more time you spend with non-household members, the more at risk of spreading the virus and putting our counties in a micro-cluster which will increase restrictions. Even small gatherings have the potential to have an impact on our hospital systems as we are seeing an increase in hospital admissions and ICU admissions.
Limit time with non-household members…Keep at least 6 feet or more…Properly wear a mask/face covering over your nose and mouth…and wash your hands frequently with soap and water or 60% alcohol hand sanitizer, as well as sanitizing frequently touched surfaces/items.
• Gathering size: According to Governor Cuomo’s Executive Order 202.45, all non-essential gatherings of up to 50 individuals of any size for any reason at venues (celebrations, weddings, or other social events at public facilities or private venues) unless otherwise designated (ex. religious gatherings), are allowed as long as there is appropriate social distancing, wearing cloth masks/face coverings over their mouth and nose, and cleaning and disinfection protocol requirements followed.
With the recent uptick of individuals testing positive and the stricter guidance placed by the governor, it is important to remember that those who plan and host non-essential gatherings (whether at a venue or a private residence) as noted above, can be fined up to $15,000, and/or cause our counties to be considered a micro-cluster which will place the area under stricter restrictions.
Orleans County is in the Finger Lakes Region, which had the highest positivity rate of Covid tests in the state on Thursday.
• Statewide data includes new record for tests: New York set a new record on Thursday with 203,721 tests reported. Of those 5,401 were positive or 2.65% of the total.
The positive testing rate in all Focus Zone Areas is 4.58 percent while the rate outside the Focus Zone Areas is 2.29 percent.
Total hospitalizations from Covid were at 1,737 in the state. There were also 24 fatalities yesterday from Covid in New York.
“We are testing more than just about any other state in the nation, reaching new record highs in the number of tests we perform in a single day,” Gov. Andrew Cuomo said. “The good news is our infection rate is one of the lowest in the nation. The bad news is we are in the midst of a sea of Covid rising around us. You look at the international numbers, and they are frightening – countries are locking down. You look at states around the country and the numbers are all going up quickly.”
Cuomo also announced that an emergency summit will be held this weekend with the governors of Northeastern states to discuss aligning policy in light of rising Covid-19 cases in the region and throughout the country.
“The reality is the virus is mobile and we’re in the holiday season and people will travel more,” he said. “These are all elements that conspire to increase the spread. We believe we’re going to have to be taking additional steps, and to the degree we can share information and align action with other regional states, we’ll do that.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 November 2020 at 11:12 am
The Genesee County Health Department has issued a health alert after receiving a positive Covid-19 test from an individual who was at Batavia’s Original on Friday, November 6th, and Saturday, November 7th, between the hours of 4:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Contact tracing is in progress. However, unidentified individuals may have unknowingly been in contact with the person who tested positive, the Genesee County Health Department said today.
“We advise all individuals who were at Batavia’s Original on Friday or Saturday between the stated hours to monitor their symptoms for 14 days (through Nov. 20th or Nov. 21st),” the Health Department stated in a news release. “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, diarrhea.
Batavia’s Original is closing the pizza business just for this weekend after five workers at the pizzeria tested positive or were in close contact with someone who tested positive. Several more employees are in mandatory quarantine for two weeks and can’t come to work, according to The Batavian.
Kathy Ferrara, the pizzeria’s owner, told the Batavian that three of workers likely contracted Covid at Halloween parties, while another hosted a card game and the other believes it was contracted from a family member.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 November 2020 at 4:32 pm
A reminder the numbers listed as positive/active are current community cases. The recovered numbers are only for community cases and do not include non-county regulated facilities. The total positive cases includes community active/positive, community recovered and all those from non-county regulated facilities. Geneses’s total should say 512.
There are 30 new confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Orleans County, and 40 more in Genesee in the first update since Tuesday afternoon, the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments reported today.
In Orleans County, the 30 new positive cases of Covid bring the county’s total to 482 cases since March.
The new positive cases reside in Albion, Barre, Clarendon, Gaines, Murray, Ridgeway, Shelby and Yates.
The individuals are in the age groups of 0-19, 20s, 30s, 40s and 50s. Ten of the individuals were on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive.
Orleans has also had five of the previous positive individuals recover and be removed from the isolation list.
The Health Department has been notified of a positive student at Holley High School, Albion High School and Lyndonville High School. All of the students were on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive.
Albion also has one staff member at the district office test positive. That person was not on quarantine prior to testing positive.
The individuals are on mandatory isolation until they recover. Contact tracing is in process for those who are considered close contacts and will be placed on mandatory quarantine for 14 days from the last contact with the positive individual.
One Orleans County resident is hospitalized due to Covid.
Genesee County received 40 new positive cases of Covid-19 and has now had 512 positive cases since March.
Due to the volume of positives, further data will be updated tomorrow, the Health Department said. Staff are working on contact tracing.
The Health Department has been notified of a positive staff member at Batavia High School. The individual is on mandatory isolation until recovered. Contact tracing is in process for those who are considered close contacts and will be placed on mandatory quarantine for 14 days from the last contact with the positive individual. The school will remain open for learning unless otherwise announced.
The Health Department has been notified of a positive student at Byron-Bergen Jr. /Sr. High School. The individual is on mandatory isolation until they recover. Contact tracing is in process for those who are considered close contacts and will be placed on mandatory quarantine for 14 days from the last contact with the positive individual. The school will remain open for learning unless otherwise announced.
Please note the Genesee County data will be updated tomorrow.
More updates from the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments:
• New Restrictions: Effective November 13th at 10:00 p.m. bars, restaurants and gyms, as well as State Liquor Authority-licensed establishments, must close in-person service from 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. daily.
Effective November 13th at 10:00 p.m. indoor and outdoor gatherings at private residences will be limited to no more than 10 people outside your family unit currently living at home. We will report future guidance as it is released.
Time-Distance-Masks-Hands!: In order to limit the spread of Covid-19 you need to rethink any upcoming gatherings. The more time you spend with non-household members, the more at risk of spreading the virus and putting our counties in a micro-cluster which will increase restrictions.
Even small gatherings have the potential to have an impact on our hospital systems as we are seeing an increase in hospital admissions and ICU admissions. Limit time with non-household members…Keep at least 6 feet or more…Properly wear a mask/face covering over your nose and mouth…and wash your hands frequently with soap and water or 60% alcohol hand sanitizer, as well as sanitizing frequently touched surfaces/items.
This is each region’s percentage of positive test results reported over the last three days. Orleans County is in the Finger Lakes Region.
• Statewide update: The statewide positivity rate was 2.95 percent on Wednesday with 4,797 new positive cases out of 162,627 tests.
Governor Andrew Cuomo noted that the positive testing rate in all focus areas under the state’s Micro-Cluster strategy is 4.86 percent, and outside the focus zone areas is 2.53 percent. Within the focus areas, 28,906 test results were reported yesterday, yielding 1,406 positives. In the remainder of the state, not counting these focus areas, 133,721 test results were reported, yielding 3,391 positives.
There were 1,677 total hospitalizations from Covid in the state on Wednesday and 29 deaths, bringing the statewide total to 26,055 people who have died from Covid.
“Covid is raging nationally, setting record numbers of cases and hospitalizations with each passing day,” Cuomo said. “While New York is doing better than just about any state in the United States, we are not immune from the national trend. Now it’s up to what we do.
“There is no pre-destined future here. It’s a pure consequence of our actions. If we stay New York Tough and don’t fall subject to Covid fatigue and we stay smart through the holidays, through Thanksgiving, through Christmas, through Hanukkah, we’ll keep it under control. New Yorkers just have to continue to take it seriously. I know it has been a long time, but these next weeks are going to be key and we really need people to buckle down to fend off the tide.”
Provided photo: The GOW Opioid Task Force has been honored with the 2020 Community Star from the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health. From left are Charlotte Crawford, chief executive officer, Lake Plains Community Care Network; Julie Gutowski, vice president of Clinical Operations and Services, Spectrum Health & Human Services; John Bennett, executive director of Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse; Christen Ferraro, task force project coordinator, and Paul Pettit, public health director for Genesee/Orleans County Health Departments.
Posted 11 November 2020 at 7:08 pm
By Mike Pettinella, GCASA Publicist
When it comes to commitment and dedication to battling opioid addiction in rural areas, the Genesee-Orleans-Wyoming Opioid Task Force shines brightly.
That’s the viewpoint of the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health, which has awarded the local collaborative organization with a 2020 Community Star.
The award is given to only one rural entity in New York State.
“We are deeply honored to be recognized by the NOSORH,” said Christen Ferraro, GOW Opioid Task Force project coordinator. “It is a tribute to the efforts of the hundreds of people in the tri-county area who volunteer their time and work together to help end opioid addiction and overdose.”
The honor is being presented in conjunction with National Rural Health Day on Nov. 19, according to the NOSORH.
Ferraro said an e-book publication featuring the GOW Opioid Task Force’s story, along with the other winners, will be released on that date on the NRHD website. The link to the story also will be posted on the GOW Opioid Task Force website – www.gowopioidtaskforce.org – and on its Facebook page.
The NOSORH singled out the local outreach for its flexibility in delivering key services during the COVID-19 pandemic.
When the pandemic hit Western New York, the task force shifted its education efforts online. Virtual Narcan trainings were held and kits were mailed to participants. Since these online trainings began, more than 150 community members have been trained, and for 2020, more than 300 have received this training.
“We knew we had to make adjustments so our community could continue to have access to these needed resources,” Ferraro said. “The positive response we received from the community was overwhelming, and we definitely plan to utilize this new way of education to help continue supporting our rural community in these difficult times.”
The task force, which is supported by the Greater Rochester Health Foundation and Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse, currently has more than 400 members from across the tri-county region.
Members represent various sectors of the community, including public health, mental health, human services, local government, substance use disorder treatment and recovery agencies, law enforcement, EMS, faith-based groups, health systems and medical practitioners, education, businesses, concerned individuals, families, and individuals in recovery.
The NOSORH founded National Rural Health Day as a way to showcase rural America, increase awareness of rural health-related challenges and promote the efforts of NOSORH, State Offices of Rural Health and others in addressing those challenges, said Teryl Eisinger, the agency’s chief executive officer.
An estimated 57 million people – nearly one in five Americans – live in rural and frontier communities throughout the United States.
“These small towns, farming communities and frontier areas are wonderful places to live and work; they are places where neighbors know each other and work together,” Eisinger said. “The hospitals and providers serving these rural communities not only provide quality patient care, but they also help keep good jobs in rural America.”
These communities also face unique healthcare needs.
“Today more than ever, rural communities must tackle accessibility issues, a lack of healthcare providers, the needs of an aging population suffering from a greater number of chronic conditions, and larger percentages of un- and underinsured citizens,” she said. “Meanwhile, rural hospitals are threatened with declining reimbursement rates and disproportionate funding levels that makes it challenging to serve their residents.”
All 50 states maintain a State Office of Rural Health, each of which shares a similar mission to foster relationships, disseminate information and provide technical assistance that improves access to, and the quality of, health care for its rural citizens.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 November 2020 at 4:37 pm
Orleans County has 13 more confirmed positives case of Covid-19 today for a total of 452 positive cases since March.
The new positive cases reside in Albion, Carlton, Kendall, Murray, Ridgeway and Shelby. The individuals are in the age groups of 0-19, 30s, 40s, 50s and 70s.
Two of the individuals were on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive, the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments reported today.
Three of the previous positive individuals have recovered and have been removed from the isolation list. One Orleans County resident is currently hospitalized due to Covid.
• Holley high schooler tests positive: The Health Department has been notified of a positive student at Holley High School. The student was not on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive. The individual is on mandatory isolation until they recover. Contact tracing is in process for those who are considered close contacts and will be placed on mandatory quarantine for 14 days from the last contact with the positive individual.
• Worker in Holley Elementary tests positive for Covid: The Holley school district also notified the community that an adult who works in the Holley Elementary School building tested positive for Covid. The individual does not work directly for the school district, Brian Bartalo, district superintendent, said in a letter to the community.
The last day this person was on our campus was Friday, November 6. The district is unable to legally disclose any additional details or personal identifiable information about this individual per the federal privacy laws.
The district will work with the Health Department to assist with any contact tracing if that is deemed necessary. The DOH will typically go back 48 hours from the onset of symptoms or the date of the test to determine any order of quarantining of individuals of close contact with this person. In this situation, since the individual was last here four days ago, it’s not known if anyone will be contacted. Any communication of the need for quarantine will come directly from the Health Department, Bartalo said.
In Genesee County, there are 7 new positive cases of Covid for a total of 472 positive cases since March.
The data below includes the 43 reported cases since Friday. The new positive cases reside in Alabama, Alexander, Batavia, Bergen, Bethany, Darien, Elba, LeRoy, Oakfield, Pavilion and Stafford.
The individuals are in the age groups of 0-19, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s.
Fourteen of the individuals were on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive.
Genesee also reports that 17 of the previous positive individuals have recovered and been removed from the isolation list.
Two Genesee residents are hospitalized due to Covid.
• 173 active cases in 3 counties: To see an online map of confirmed cases in Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties, click here. There are currently 173 active cases in the three counties – 87 in Genesee, 47 in Orleans and 39 in Wyoming.
More from the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments
• No updates on Veterans Day: Due to the Veterans Day holiday, both Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments will be closed. We will not be updating numbers or the map until Thursday afternoon. A very special thank you to those who have served in any of the armed forces. We appreciate your service and the sacrifices you and your families have endured to keep our country safe.
BATAVIA – The Genesee County Health Department has received a positive Covid-19 test from an individual who attended Trivia Night at TF Brown’s on Tuesday, November 3, between 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Contact tracing is in progress, however unidentified individuals may have unknowingly been in contact with the person who tested positive.
We advise all individuals who attended the Trivia Night on Nov. 3 to monitor their symptoms until November 17th. 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.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 November 2020 at 6:14 pm
Orleans also reporting a death due to Covid-19, first since July 15
Orleans and Genesee counties both are reported a big increase in Covid-19 cases since Friday, when the local Health Department last updated the community about new confirmed cases.
In Orleans County there are 18 more cases since Friday while Genesee has 43 more confirmed cases.
Orleans also is reporting a death from Covid-19, a person over age 65. This is the first Covid death in the county since July 15. The county has now had 56 residents die after contracting Covid.
“We are deeply saddened to report we have had an Orleans County community member pass away due to Covid-19,” the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments stated in a news release. “Out of respect for the family we will not release any further details about this individual. We send our deepest condolences to the family and friends of this person and encourage our community members to be respectful of the family’s time of grieving.”
Orleans has now had 439 positive cases since March. The 18 new positive cases include residents in Albion, Barre, Clarendon, Gaines, Kendall, Murray, Ridgeway, Shelby and Yates.
The individuals are in the age groups of 0-19, 20s, 40s, 50s and 60s.
Three of the individuals were on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive, the Health Departments said.
Orleans is also reporting six recoveries from Covid and those people have been removed from the isolation list.
• The Health Departments have been notified of a positive student at Lyndonville High School and a positive student at Medina High School. The students were not on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive. The individuals are on mandatory isolation until they recover. Contact tracing is in process for those who are considered close contacts and will be placed on mandatory quarantine for 14 days from the last contact with the positive individual.
• Albion Central School also said one of its students has tested positive for Covid-19. The student is a hybrid learner in the high school.
As the student has not been in school since Oct. 26, the Health Department determined there is no need to do further contact tracing in the school due to the look-back period, the school district stated on its website.
In Genesee County, the 43 new positive cases bring Genesee’s total to 465 positive cases since March.
Due to the volume of positives, further information will be updated tomorrow, the Health Departments said. Staff are working on contact tracing.
• The Genesee County Health Department was notified of two teachers testing positive at Jackson Primary School in Batavia. The individuals have been placed under mandatory isolation where they will remain until they have recovered.
Contact tracing is in process to identify close contacts. Out of an abundance of caution, Jackson Primary School will be 100 percent remote virtual learning until Monday, November 30.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 November 2020 at 5:10 pm
2 neighboring counties in danger of more restrictions if cases continue to rise
Two of Orleans County’s neighbors, Monroe and Erie, have been designated with yellow precautionary zone focus areas due to rising Covid cases.
The state’s yellow zone restrictions include a 25-person maximum capacity on mass gatherings, 4-person to a table maximum while dining and 20 percent weekly testing of in-person students, faculty in schools. Bars and restaurants located in Yellow Precautionary Zones must close at midnight.
The two counties could see more restrictions if cases continue to rise.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo said the cluster strategy has worked so far, with increased testing, awareness and actions to rein in Covid.
For example, Brooklyn was changed from the most restrictive red zone to an orange warning zone based on reduced Covid cases. The change to an orange zone allowed many businesses to reopen.
“Covid is surging across the country and the globe, and we expect the rates will continue to go up through the fall and into the winter,” Governor Cuomo said today. “The long-term prognosis is get a vaccine as quickly as possible, and administer the vaccine as quickly, fairly and equitably as possible. In the meantime, we manage the increase by doing more testing and targeted restrictions where necessary, and being more aggressive on enforcement.”
The state designated large portions of Erie, Monroe and also Onondaga counties with yellow zones today.
• Erie County – Over the past 10 days, parts of Erie County have had 7-day average positivity rates above 2.5 percent, and cases per 100,000 and new daily hospital admissions have increased, meeting the metrics for a yellow zone designation. (Click here to see a map of the county in the yellow zone.)
• Monroe County – Over the past 10 days, parts of Monroe County have had 7-day average positivity rates above 3 percent, and cases per 100,000 and new daily hospital admissions have increased, meeting the metrics for a yellow zone designation. (Click here to see a map of the county in the yellow zone.)
• Onondaga County – Over the past 10 days, parts of Onondaga County have had 7-day average positivity rates above 3%, and cases per 100,000 and new daily hospital admissions have increased, meeting the metrics for a yellow zone designation. (Click here to see a map of the county in the yellow zone.)
‘I know people are tired – Covid fatigue is real. But the virus isn’t tired.’ – Gov. Andrew Cuomo
Identifying and Implementing Focus Zone
Daily data monitoring enables the state to identify areas that are experiencing a concerning increase in Covid spread, Cuomo said.
Once an area meets certain metrics – detailed below – that demonstrate substantial spread, it may be designated a focus zone.
• Red Zone — Micro-Cluster: A “Red Zone” focus area is put in place to contain spread from a specific, defined geographic area.
• Orange Zone — Warning/Buffer: An Orange Zone area either is put in place primarily in densely populated urban areas as a tight buffer zone around a Red Zone micro-cluster (“Orange Buffer Zone”) area or is implemented independently as a focus area based on metrics.
The purpose of an Orange Buffer Zone is to 1) restrict activity to prevent further spread from Red Zone area; 2) provide a defined geographic area where metrics can be monitored daily to ensure Covid is not spreading beyond the Red Zone.
• Yellow Zone — Precautionary/Buffer: A “Yellow Zone” area either is put in place as a broader buffer area to ensure Covid outbreak is not spreading into the broader community or is implemented independently based on the metrics.
The purpose of a Yellow Buffer Zone is to 1) restrict some activity to help prevent further spread from Red and/or Orange Warning Zone area; 2) provide a larger defined geographic area where metrics can be monitored daily to ensure Covid is not spreading beyond the Red Zone or Orange Warning Zone.
The restrictions for the three cluster zones include:
• Red Zone — Cluster Itself
Houses of Worship: 25 percent capacity, 10 people maximum
Mass Gatherings: Prohibited
Businesses: Only essential businesses open
Dining: Takeout only
Schools: Closed, remote only
Orange Zone — Warning Zone
Houses of Worship: 33 percent capacity, 25 people maximum
Mass Gatherings: 10 people maximum, indoor and outdoor
Businesses: Closing high-risk non-essential businesses, such as gyms and personal care
Dining: Outdoor dining only, 4 person maximum per table
Schools: Closed, remote only
Yellow Zone — Precautionary Zone
Houses of Worship: 50 percent capacity
Mass Gatherings: 25 people maximum, indoor and outdoor
Businesses: Open
Dining: Indoor and outdoor dining, 4 person maximum per table
Schools: Open with mandatory weekly testing of students and teachers/staff for in-person settings with percentage of students and teachers to be tested to be established by the New York State Department of Health.
A county or area can be downgraded in zone designation or have the designation ended if the positivity data, cases per capita, and daily hospital admissions over a 14 day period go down, showing there are no signs of broader spread from the focus area that prompted the zone creation.
“I know people are tired – Covid fatigue is real,” Cuomo said. “But the virus isn’t tired. The red, orange and yellow zones are our way of saying the virus is making headway and we’re going to increase restrictions and we’re going to increase enforcement. When we see a small increase, we attack that small increase – and the numbers show it works.”
Limited visitation to continue for specific groups
Press Release, Rochester Regional Health
BATAVIA – Due to the rapidly increasing prevalence of Covid-19 in the Finger Lakes Region, Rochester Regional Health will suspend general visitation at all hospitals effective Sunday, November 8 at 7 p.m.
This includes Rochester General Hospital, Unity Hospital in Greece, Unied Memorial Medical Center in Batavia, and Clifton Springs Hospital and Clinic in Clifton Springs, Ontario County. Newark-Wayne Community Hospital in Newark, Wayne County suspended visitation last week.
Limited visitation will be allowed in the following cases:
Pediatric patients may have one support person on-site at a time. Two support people can alternate visitation.
Obstetrical patients may have one on-site support person and a doula.
Patients with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities, and cognitive impairments, including dementia or who have conditions protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act, may have a support person who is medically necessary for their care.
Visitation at end of life.
In the above cases, visitation will only be allowed under the following conditions:
Visitors/support people will have their temperature checked before entering the hospital and then again every 12 hours while in a clinical area.
If a visitor/support person has a fever (100 degrees Fahrenheit or more) or displays symptoms, they are not allowed into the hospital.
