Orleans County is reporting two more cases of Covid-19, both are from Albion in the 0-19 age group. Both of the individuals were on quarantine prior to testing positive, the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments reported.

Orleans has now had 310 people test positive for Covid-19.

The county also is reporting 13 new individuals are on precautionary quarantine due to travel from restricted states.

Genesee County doesn’t have any new cases, and remains at 297 positive cases since March. The county has 6 new individuals on precautionary quarantine due to travel.

• State-wide data: Gov. Andrew Cuomo reported 665 of the 70,930 test results reported on Tuesday or 0.94 percent were positive for Covid-19.

Today’s data is summarized briefly below:

• Patient Hospitalization – 490 (+20)
• Patients Newly Admitted – 83
• Number ICU – 141 (+8)
• Number ICU with Intubation – 68 (+1)
• Deaths – 5 (Total Deaths – 25,437)

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‘This is the governor’s fault. It’s creating such a terrible thing for people, who just want to see their loved ones, and it’s breaking my heart.’

Friends and relatives who have waited nearly six months to see their loved ones in nursing homes now find themselves faced with another obstacle.

Initally, it looked like Gov. Andrew Cuomo was easing some restrictions, saying visitation would be allowed at nursing homes that went 14 days of being Covid free, down from the requirement of 28 days.

But the governor added a new mandate, requiring visitors to receive a Covid test within seven days of visiting a nursing home.

People attempting to get that test are finding the process is a nightmare.

A Medina senior was told to contact his primary care physician to get an order and then go to Orleans Community Health’s Albion Walk-In Healthcare Center, where the test results sometimes take a week or more. That is past the seven-day limit required by the governor’s new mandate.

When this senior’s doctor said they weren’t issuing orders for Covid tests, the doctor’s office said to go to Batavia, where WellNow Urgent Care on Veteran’s Memorial Drive was accepting walk-ins. The senior got to Batavia, had the test and was charged $275.

“A lot of people are struggling with how to move on and see their loved ones,” said Nola Goodrich Kresse, public health and public education officer at Orleans/Genesee Health Department. “We have asked the state to provide free testing in Orleans and Genesee counties, but it’s not happening.”

A Medina senior, who got her Covid test in Albion last Wednesday, got her results on Tuesday. However, when she went to make her appointment for the next test she was told the price had gone from $50 to $100.

Nicole Helsdon, manager of Albion’s Walk-In Healthcare Center, clarified that by saying they initially only charged the co-pay and planned to submit the rest of the cost to the patient’s insurance company, hoping it would pay the difference. If the insurance company denies the claim, the patient will be responsible for the additional cost.

Orleans Community Health is doing these tests at cost and are not making money on the tests, added Jessica Capurso, director of outreach, education and marketing at Orleans Community Health.

Helsdon said it is important to note that this pricing is only for those seeking testing for screening purposes only. There is no cost for those presenting with symptoms, such as children sent home from school or adults sent home from work. The fee charged by the urgent care center is only what the lab charges them.

“Insurance companies are constantly telling us they won’t cover screening for people who aren’t sick,” Helsdon said. “We are having a meeting this week to discuss insurance companies. This is the governor’s fault. It’s creating such a terrible thing for people, who just want to see their loved ones, and it’s breaking my heart.”

Helsdon also wanted to clarify rumors about the length of time it takes to get test results. She said 98 percent of tests come back within 48 to 72 hours. Once in a while there is a hang-up at the lab, she said.

Assemblyman Stephen Hawley is irate about the mandate.

“It’s price gouging and it’s mandated by the governor,” he said. “Testing ought to be free and available.”

He and other lawmakers have urged the governor when making these decisions to consider the different regionalized criteria, based on current statistics.

“That’s the criteria he used for reopening the economy and it was our idea,” Hawley said. “He ought to be looking at the different criteria for nursing home visits across the state, based on Covid-positive tests in each area.”

Hawley explained the state average of positive tests as of Friday was .98 percent. Orleans County reported .5 percent, far below the state average. It had gone up to .8 on Sunday, but that is still below the state average.

“I appreciate and acknowledge that nursing homes have been a big issue during the pandemic,” Hawley said. “But this new mandate is unworkable, expensive and unnecessary.”

Right now, the nearest free Covid testing is available at Niagara County Community College on Route 31 in Sanborn. It is drive-through, but appointments are required. They can be made by calling 1-888-364-3065.

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Orleans and Genesee each have a new confirmed case of Covid-19 to report today. In Orleans, the new case is an elementary school student at Albion.

The student has been placed on mandatory isolation at home. All close contacts have been notified by the Orleans County Health Department.

“If you were not notified you are not considered a close contact,” the Health Department stated in a news briefing this afternoon.

The student was not on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive.

The county has now had 308 people test positive for Covid-19 with five of them in the 0-19 age group.

Genesee County has one new case of Covid-19 and now has had 297 people test positive since March. Of those, 19 are in the 0-19 age group.

The new case confirmed in Genesee County is a Bethany resident in the 50s. The individual was not on quarantine prior to testing positive.

Genesee also is reporting 2 more people are on precautionary quarantine due to travel from restricted states, while Orleans has five more on precautionary quarantine due to travel.

To see an online map of confirmed cases in Orleans, Genesee and Wyoming counties, click here.

• State-wide Data: Of the 83,997 test results reported to New York State yesterday, 754 or 0.89 percent were positive.

The state has now had 451,227 confirmed cases since March. New York also hit a milestone with 10 million Covid tests.

Today’s data from the state includes:

• Patient Hospitalization – 470 (+2)
• Patients Newly Admitted – 43
• Number ICU – 133 (-1)
• Number ICU with Intubation – 67 (+1)
• Deaths – 3 (Total Deaths – 25,432)

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Travelers from Arizona, Minnesota, Nevada, Rhode Island and Wyoming must quarantine for 2 weeks once in NY

Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced today that Arizona, Minnesota, Nevada, Rhode Island and Wyoming are on the state’s travel advisory, bringing the total of states to 33 on the advisory. Travelers from those states must self quarantine for two weeks once in New York.

States on the advisory have had a positive test rate higher than 10 per 100,000 residents over a 7-day rolling average or they are an area with a 10 percent or higher positivity rate over a 7-day rolling average.

“For a clear example of the continuing extent of the Covid crisis in America, look no further than New York’s travel advisory list,” Cuomo said. “The virus’ spread across the country—new cases have increased more than 15 percent in the last 10 days—makes it all the more urgent that we stay vigilant here at home.”

The full list of states and two territories on the travel advisory now includes: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Guam, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, Nevada, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Wisconsin, West Virginia and Wyoming.

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2 counties pass 600 cases combined since March

Orleans County is reporting 2 new confirmed cases of Covid-19 today, bringing the county’s total to 307 since March.

The two new cases are a resident of Yates and the other a resident of Carlton. One is in the 30s and the other in the 50s, according to the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments. Neither of the individuals were on quarantine prior to testing positive.

Orleans also has three more recoveries from Covid-19, bringing that total in the community to 142 people who have recovered and been released from mandatory isolation.

The county also has nine more individuals on precautionary quarantine due to travel from restricted states.

Genesee County has been notified of 5 new positive cases of Covid-19, for a total of 296 now since March.  The two counties – Genesee and Orleans – have now had 603 cases of Covid-19.

The new positive cases in Genesee reside in Alexander, Batavia, Byron and Oakfield. One of the new positive cases is a resident at the NYS Veterans Home. (That is the first confirmed case from that nursing home in Batavia.)

Among the five cases, one of the positive individuals is less than 20 years old, one in the 30s, two in the 50s and one in the 80s. One of the individuals was on quarantine prior to testing positive.

Genesee also has one more recovery and now has had 231 recoveries from community members. Genesee also has 22 new individuals on precautionary quarantine due to travel from restricted states.

• State-wide data: There were 58,319 test results reported to the state yesterday, and 573 or 0.98 percent were positive.

Today’s data is summarized briefly below:

• Patient Hospitalization – 468 (+0)
• Number ICU – 134 (+2)
• Number ICU with Intubation – 66 (+6)
• Deaths – 1 (Total Deaths – 25,428)

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Orleans County doesn’t have any new confirmed cases of Covid-19 to report today while Genesee County has two more cases, the first new cases in nine days in that county.

In Genesee, the new cases are residents of Byron and Le Roy, and both are under age 20. The individuals were not on quarantine prior to testing positive. Genesee has now had 291 people test positive for Covid-19.

Genesee also has 6 new individuals on precautionary quarantine due to travel from restricted states, while Orleans has 10 more.

Click here to see an online map of confirmed cases in Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties.

• State-wide Data: Governor Andrew Cuomo today announced that the state’s Covid infection rate remained below one percent. Yesterday, 0.88 of test results or 790 of 89,727 were positive.

Today’s data is summarized briefly below:

• Patient Hospitalization – 478 (-8)
• Patients Newly Admitted – 81
• Number ICU – 141 (+6)
• Number ICU with Intubation – 62 (-6)
• Deaths – 10 (Total Deaths – 25,423)

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New nursing home visitation guidelines in effect today

Orleans and Genesee counties both are again reporting no new confirmed Covid-19 cases today. Orleans has gone two days without a new case while Genesee’s streak is up to eight straight days without a new confirmed case.

Genesee is reporting four more people on precautionary quarantine due to travel from restricted states, while Orleans has added 2 more people on precautionary quarantine.

• State-wide Data: Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the state’s Covid-19 infection rate remained below 1 percent. Yesterday, 0.98 of test results reported to New York State were positive or 896 of the 91,504 test results.

Other state data includes:

• Patient Hospitalization – 486 (+3)
• Number ICU – 135 (-3)
• Number ICU with Intubation – 68 (+1)
• Deaths – 3 (Total Deaths – 25,413)

More from the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments:

• Nursing Home Visitation: New guidance for skilled nursing facility visitation is available by clicking here.

The state is requiring the facilities to have visitors provide proof of negative Covid-19 test results within 7 days of visit. This may result in multiple tests to continue to visit your loved ones. To find additional test sites nearest you, click here.

• New York School Districts will be providing the NYS Department of Health with daily data on the number of people who have tested positive for Covid-19. When the reporting starts to come back, the Covid Report Card will be live. To access, click here.

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There are no new Covid-19 cases to report today in Orleans and Genesee counties.

Orleans has one more recovery for 139 in the community while Genesee has two more for 230 in the community.

Orleans also is reporting 7 more people on precautionary quarantine due to travel from restricted states, while Genesee has 20 more, according to the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments.

Click here to see an online map of the confirmed cases in Orleans, Genesee and Wyoming counties. There are currently seven active cases in the three rural counties, with four in Orleans, three in Wyoming and none in Genesee.

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Visitors must show negative Covid-19 test within 7 days of visit

MEDINA – Visitors to see any of the 30 residents in the North Wing at Medina Memorial Hospital will have to follow new state guidelines beginning on Thursday.

The North Wing is a residential care facility on the second floor of the hospital.

The executive order from the state includes a new requirement that any visiors must show a verified negative test for Covid-19 within the past seven days.

Other guidelines for nursing homes that have been Covid-free for at least 14 days include:

• Visitors, including long-term care ombudsman, are screened for signs and symptoms of Covid-19 prior to resident access.

• If a visitor doesn’t show a verified negative Covid-19 test within the last 7 days, the visitation must be refused. Visitors also must be refused if they exhibit any Covid-19 symptoms or do not pass screening questions.

“We understand this is an added step in the efforts to visit your loved ones but we must maintain strict compliance with the state,” Sarah Bateman, North Wing administrator, said in a notice to the community. “We thank you for your continued cooperation, and we remain committed to your loved one’s care and well-being.”

For information on where to be tested, Orleans Community Health recommends reaching out to a primary care physician, Orleans County Department of Health at (585) 589-7000 Ext 9, and WellNow Urgent Care in Batavia: (585) 201-5598.

For Covid-19 testing and locations, click here. Individuals who have questions regarding eligibility or access for testing should call the New York State Covid-19 Hotline at 1-888-364-3065 or visit the NYSDOH website.

For additional questions, contact Sarah Hallifax Bateman: (585) 301-1151, Rebecca Mannella: (585) 798-8127 or Niccole Moore: (585) 798-8120.

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Clarendon, with 5 cases since March, has fewest among 10 Orleans towns

Orleans County is reporting one more confirmed case of Covid-19, a resident of Clarendon in the 50s. The individual was not on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive.

The county has now had 305 people test positive for Covid-19 since March.

Clarendon has now had five confirmed cases of Covid-19 since March, that is the fewest among the 10 towns in Orleans County.

The breakdown in cases among the 10 towns includes: Clarendon, 5; Barre, 6; Kendall, 10, Gaines and Yates, 11; Carlton, 13; Murray, 14; Ridgeway, 37; Shelby 72; and Albion 126.

The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments also is reporting one more recovery in Orleans, bringing that total among community residents to 138.

There are also 12 more individuals on precautionary quarantine due to travel from restricted states.

In Genesee County there aren’t any new Covid-19 cases to report today.

Genesee has one more recovery, bringing that total to 228 who have been released from mandatory isolation.

Genesee also has 7 more people on precautionary quarantine due to travel from restricted states.

To see an online map of confirmed cases in Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties, click here. There are currently 10 active cases in the three counties with five in Orleans, two in Genesee and three in Wyoming.

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Orleans County has one new confirmed case of Covid-19, bringing the total to 304 who have tested positive in the county since March.

The new case is an Albion resident in the 50s. The individual was not on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive, the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments reported.

The county has also had two more people recover from Covid-19, bringing the total recoveries in the community to 137.

The county also has 17 new individuals are on precautionary quarantine due to travel from restricted states.

In Genesee County there aren’t any new Covid-19 cases to report since the last update on Friday afternoon.

Genesee has one more recovery from Covid, bringing that total to 227 recoveries in the community.

Genesee also has four new individuals on precautionary quarantine due to travel from restricted states.

• State-wide data: Governor Andrew Cuomo today announced that New York State’s Covid-19 infection rate has been below 1 percent for 38 straight days.

Yesterday, 0.92 of test results reported to New York State were positive or 583 out of 63,358.

“New York’s government sets the tone for the state’s response to COVID-19, but New Yorkers drive it home,” Cuomo said. “We can defeat this virus and create a better future, but we need New Yorkers to wear masks, socially distance and wash their hands as local governments enforce state guidance.”

Other state data includes:

• Patient Hospitalization – 464 (+0)
• Patients Newly Admitted – 43
• Number ICU – 143 (+12)
• Number ICU with Intubation – 59 (+5)
• Deaths – 4 (Total Deaths – 25,394)

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

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Health Foundation, YMCA, Cooperative Extension and Community Partners sponsor ‘Hunt Orleans’ on Oct. 17

MEDINA – With all of their regular events canceled this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Orleans Community Health Foundation has been brainstorming ways to hold new fundraising events.

This summer, the Foundation director and the board decided to partner with the YMCA, Cornell Cooperative Extension and Community Partners to sponsor an event that will benefit youth in Orleans County.

“We have all been shut down and our programs all canceled this summer,” Smith said. “We weren’t allowed to do any fundraising, but we all wanted some program where we could get people out, have fun and be safe.”

They decided to host a scavenger hunt called “Hunt Orleans,” which will take place from 10 a.m. to noon on Oct. 17.

Participants will pay a $25 fee to register and must acquire at least $125 in sponsorships. Teams will then set off in their cars and be directed throughout Orleans County by clues supplied by the committee. A cell phone is required, as the first clue will be by a text.

“Hunt Orleans” will feature landmarks from all around Orleans County. Participants must take a picture of themselves at the destinations they think are the location of a clue. Each location will have a point value, and points are earned for each correct clue. The team with the most points will win $250.

Proceeds will benefit Community Partner’s Youth Health Education; at the YMCA, money will fund youth scholarships; and at Cooperative Extension, money will go to 4-H programming for youth.

All the necessary information to register or donate is available on the website www.supportoch.org.

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Foundation will try virtual cash drawing as fundraiser

MEDINA – One of the most successful and long-running fundraisers in support of Medina Memorial Hospital will not take place this year, according to Heather Smith, director of the Orleans Community Health Foundation which sponsored Treasure Island.

The event has taken place for 26 years and has earned thousands of dollars for hospital improvements. Some years, profits were $50,000, Smith said.

But because of the Covid-19 pandemic, the event had to be canceled this year and the Foundation began to think about what they could do to recoup part of that money.

The decision was made to hold a virtual cash drawing. Tickets are $100 each and only 300 will be sold. Grand prize will be $10,000. There are no online sales. Tickets must be reserved by completing a form on supportoch.org and returning it to the Foundation office, or they may be mailed to OCH Foundation, 200 Ohio St., Medina. Checks should be made payable to OCH Foundation.

The drawing will take place live at noon Nov. 24 via Facebook.

Meanwhile, the Foundation is moving ahead with plans for next year. The date for the hospital’s annual golf tournament has already been set. It will take place June 18 at Shelridge Country Club in Medina.

Next year, for the first time, Treasure Island will take place Nov. 6 at Ridgeway Fire Hall on Ridge Road.

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There aren’t any new confirmed cases to report today in Orleans and Genesee counties.

Orleans does have 6 new individuals on precautionary quarantine due to travel from restricted states. One person from Orleans is hospitalized due to Covid-19, the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments reported this afternoon.

Genesee has three more recoveries and now has had 226 people recover from Covid-19.

Genesee also has 12 people on precautionary quarantine due to travel from restricted states.

There are currently six active cases in Orleans, four in Genesee, and one in Wyoming. To see an online map of confirmed cases in Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties, click here.

• State-wide data: Governor Andrew Cuomo today announced the 35th straight day that New York State’s Covid-19 infection rate has been below 1 percent.

Of the 89,722 test results reported to New York State yesterday, 880, or 0.98 percent, were positive.

This is each region’s percentage of positive test results reported over the last three days. Orleans County is in the Finger Lakes Region.

Today’s state data is summarized briefly below:

• Patient Hospitalization – 474 (-8)
• Patients Newly Admitted – 68
• Number ICU – 120 (+0)
• Number ICU with Intubation – 54 (-1)
• Deaths – 5 (Total Deaths – 25,382)

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Orleans County has 2 more confirmed cases of Covid-19. Both are residents of Gaines, with one person in the 30s and another in the 50s, the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments reported.

Both of the new positive individuals were not on quarantine prior to testing positive. Orleans has now had 303 people test positive for Covid-19.

Orleans also has 5 new individuals on precautionary quarantine due to travel from restricted states. One resident from Orleans is hospitalized due to Covid, the Health Departments reported this afternoon.

In Genesee County, there aren’t any new Covid cases to report today. The county does have 25 new individuals on precautionary quarantine due to travel from restricted states.

Two residents in Genesee are hospitalized due to Covid.

• State-wide data: Governor Andrew Cuomo today announced over 9 million diagnostic tests for Covid-19 have been conducted to date in New York State, and that the number of positive cases yesterday — 0.98 percent — was below one percent for the 34th day in a row.

“New Yorkers are the ones who have flattened the curve,” Cuomo said. “Thanks to their hard work, for 34 straight days, our infection rate has remained below one percent. We have conducted over 9 million tests to date – that’s more per capita than any other state in the country and more than most countries on the globe. But we cannot go backwards – we must keep up the hard work and wear our masks, wash our hands and socially distance.”

Of the 76,813 test results reported to New York State yesterday, 757, or 0.98 percent, were positive.

Other state-wide data includes:

• Patient Hospitalization – 482 (+19)
• Patients Newly Admitted – 78
• Number ICU – 120 (-1)
• Number ICU with Intubation – 55 (-4)
• Deaths – 7 (Total Deaths – 25,377)

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