By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 September 2020 at 5:25 pm
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.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 September 2020 at 3:10 pm
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.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 September 2020 at 4:16 pm
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.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 September 2020 at 4:57 pm
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.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 14 September 2020 at 7:55 am
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.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 13 September 2020 at 10:15 am
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.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 September 2020 at 4:37 pm
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.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 September 2020 at 4:18 pm
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.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 September 2020 at 4:38 pm
Orleans also has first Covid hospitalization in a month
Orleans County is reporting 1 new Covid-19 case today, a person from Gaines in the 60s. The county has now had 301 people test positive for Covid since March.
The new case is a person from the community who wasn’t on quarantine prior to testing positive.
There are 8 new individuals on precautionary quarantine due to travel from restricted states, the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments reported.
Orleans also is reporting 1 person is hospitalized from Covid-19, the first hospitalization in the county due to Covid in about a month.
Genesee County also received 2 new positive cases of Covid-19 and has now had 289 positive cases.
The two new cases are both Batavia residents, one in the 50s and the other in the 90s. One of the individuals was not on quarantine prior to testing positive.
Genesee also is reporting 3 more recoveries from Covid-19 and those people have been released from mandatory isolation.
Genesee also has added 2 new individuals to precautionary quarantine due to travel from restricted states. Genesee also has one person hospitalized due to Covid-19.
• Statewide data: Governor Andrew Cuomo today announced the 33rd straight day that New York State’s Covid-19 infection rate has been below 1 percent.
On Tuesday, 0.91 percent of tests reported to the state were positive or 576 out of 63,230.
Other statewide data includes:
Patient Hospitalization – 463 (+18)
Number ICU – 121 (+7)
Number ICU with Intubation – 59 (+7)
Deaths – 3 (Total Deaths – 25,370)
More from the Genesee & Orleans County Health Departments:
• Schools: 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.
• New York State Agricultural Seasonal Worker Covid-19 Testing Opportunity: The Departments of Agriculture and Markets, Health, and Labor are partnering with county health departments, Cornell Cooperative Extension, New York Farm Bureau and community health partners in Clinton, Genesee, Orleans, Ulster and Wayne counties to offer free Covid-19 testing to agricultural workers.
These counties were selected for this opportunity as these counties see the highest number of out-of-state workers during harvest season. For registration, click here.
ALBION – Orleans County smokers are encouraged to contact the New York State Smokers’ Quitline to receive up to three months of free nicotine gum while supplies last.
The Quitline asks everyone to spread the word to family and friends about this time-limited offer, made possible thanks to a generous donation from Ro, a U.S. telehealth company headquartered in Manhattan.
Nicotine gum is one of seven FDA-approved nicotine replacement therapy products to treat nicotine dependence and increases the chance for success in quitting. Those odds further increase when combined with coaching support from a trained tobacco treatment specialist, such as one of the Quitline’s Quit Coaches.
“We strongly encourage anyone who’s interested in the nicotine gum to spread the word to family and friends,” said Paul Pettit, Public Health Director in Orleans County. “Nicotine gum is an effective and proven medication to treat addiction and supplement the quit-process. It eliminates short-term cravings of cigarettes and can double the odds of successfully quitting when combined with a nicotine patch.”
Each piece of nicotine gum typically lasts 20 to 30 minutes. Unlike traditional chewing gum, nicotine gum works when chewed only a few times and then parked along the inside of the mouth by the cheek.
Interested smokers can receive the nicotine gum by contacting one of the Quitline’s Quit Coaches at 1-866-NY-QUITS (1-866-697-8487), who are available seven days a week beginning at 9 a.m. Nearly all Quitline participants are eligible to receive nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), coaching and self-help materials.
The Quitline’s Quit Coaches work with all types of traditional tobacco and vape-product users by developing personalized quit-plans to navigate the behavioral and psychological aspects of nicotine dependence. Healthcare professionals can also connect to the Quitline’s Patient Referral Program as a supplement to visits and follow-ups with their nicotine-dependent patients.
About the New York State Smokers’ Quitline
The New York State Smokers’ Quitline is a service of the New York State Department of Health and based at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center in Buffalo, N.Y. It is one of the first and busiest state quitlines in the nation and has responded to nearly 3 million calls since it began operating in 2000. The Quitline encourages nicotine users to talk with their healthcare professionals and access available Medicaid or health insurance benefits for stop-smoking medications. All New York State residents can call 1-866-NY-QUITS (1-866-697-8487) for coaching and resources, free of charge, seven days a week beginning at 9 a.m. Visit www.nysmokefree.com for more information.
About Tobacco-FREE GOW
The New York State Department of Health, Bureau of Tobacco Control funds Tobacco-Free GOW to increase support for New York State’s tobacco-free norm through youth action and community engagement in Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming counties. Efforts are evidence-based, policy-driven, and cost-effective approaches that decrease youth tobacco use, motivate adult smokers to quit, and eliminate exposure to secondhand smoke.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 8 September 2020 at 4:17 pm
County reaches 300 confirmed cases since March
Orleans County has 10 new confirmed cases of Covid-19, the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments said today in their first update since Friday.
Orleans has now had 300 people test positive for Covid-19 since March. It only had 12 new confirmed cases in the month of August.
Seven of the new cases since Friday are inmates at the Albion Correctional Facility. That women’s prison also had two confirmed cases reported on Friday and has now had nine people test positive.
The three new cases in the community, outside of the prison, are residents of Albion, Clarendon and Kendall. Those three people were not on quarantine prior to testing positive, the Health Departments said this afternoon.
The age breakdown of the new cases includes one person less than 20, two individuals in their 20s, three people in their 30s, one person in the 40s, and three people in their 50s.
There are also 19 new individuals on precautionary quarantine in Orleans due to travel from restricted states.
Genesee County received four new positive cases of Covid-19 and now has had 287 positive cases.
The new positive cases reside in Batavia, Byron, Elba and Pembroke.
One of the positive individuals is less than 20, two individuals are in their 40s, and one person is in the 50s. Three of the individuals were not on quarantine prior to testing positive, according to the Health Departments.
Two people in Genesee also have recovered from Covid-19, bringing the total recoveries in the community to 220 who have been released from mandatory isolation.
Genesee also has 25 new individuals on precautionary quarantine due to travel from restricted states. The county also has one resident hospitalized with Covid-19.
This is each region’s percentage of positive test results over the last three days. Orleans County is in the Finger Lakes Region.
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that New York State’s Covid-19 hospitalizations have dropped to 410—a new low since March 16. The state’s COVID-19 infection rate has been less than 1 percent for 30 straight days.
“We know based on experience that an incremental, data-driven reopening is the best way to protect the health and safety of all New Yorkers,” Cuomo said. “As this virus continues to be a national crisis, it’s clear that caution is a virtue, not a vice. Our infection rate has been below 1 percent for 30 days, and New Yorkers can help us keep that streak going by wearing masks, socially distancing and washing their hands.
Of the 85,630 test results reported to New York State yesterday, 729, or 0.85 percent, were positive.
“Our actions today determine the rate of infection tomorrow, so as the Labor Day weekend continues, I urge everyone to be smart so we don’t see a spike in the weeks ahead,” Cuomo said.
• Oneonta SWAT Team Testing Effort
The Governor also announced the results of the state’s testing SWAT Team’s focused testing effort in the City of Oneonta in Otsego County over the past five days. A total of 1,965 tests were performed at the 3 sites with results delivered in 15 minutes.
A total of 91 positive cases were identified, for a positivity rate of 4.6 percent. Contact tracing efforts in partnership with local health departments are ongoing. However, test results show that the cases continue to be connected to ongoing spread among college students with 85 of the 91 positives cases being individuals aged 18-24. Of the 738 tests for individuals in this age bracket, 11.5 percent tested positive. For the 1,227 individuals tested who were not in the 18-24 age bracket, the positivity rate was 0.48 percent.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 September 2020 at 4:35 pm
ALBION – There are two confirmed cases of Covid-19 at the Albion Correctional Facility, a medium-security prison for women, the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments reported this afternoon.
One inmate is in the 30s and the other is in the 50s. These are the first reported cases among inmates in Orleans County. Before today, there weren’t any positive cases reported from Albion Correctional, Orleans Correctional Facility (medium-security men’s prison) and the Orleans County Jail.
The two new confirmed cases end a week-long streak with no new Covid-19 case sin the county. Orleans continues to have no active confirmed Covid-19 in the community outside of facilities, the Health Departments reported.
The county has now had 290 people test positive for Covid-19 since March.
The local Health Departments also are reporting 4 new individuals are on precautionary quarantine due to travel from restricted states.
Genesee County received 1 new positive case of Covid-19, and now has had 283 people test positive.
The new positive case resides in Batavia and is in the 40s. The individual was not on quarantine prior to testing positive.
Genesee has 12 new individuals on precautionary quarantine due to travel from restricted states.
These are the number of people who have tested positive at non-county public regulated facilities during the Covid-19 pandemic.
• No report on Monday: Due to the Labor Day holiday, both the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments will be closed on Monday. There will be no map, website or media updates over the weekend or on Monday from the local Health Departments. Updates will resume on Tuesday, Sept. 8.
State-wide Data: Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the fourth straight week that New York State’s Covid-19 infection rate has remained below 1 percent. Yesterday, 0.92 percent of tests reported to the state were positive, or 864 positive tests out of the 93,395 test results reported to the state.
Other state-wide data includes:
Patient Hospitalization – 428 (-2)
Number ICU – 116 (-1)
Number ICU with Intubation – 61 (+0)
Deaths – 5 (Total Deaths – 25,348)
“Thanks to the hard work of New Yorkers across the state, New York has now gone four straight weeks with an infection rate below one percent,” Cuomo said. “Next week, malls in New York City and casinos across the state will be able to open, marking another milestone in our battle against Covid-19. But we cannot become complacent – we must continue to protect our progress. We must all continue to wear masks, social distance, wash our hands and above all, stay New York tough.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 September 2020 at 4:44 pm
783 tests in past week in Orleans, all negative
Orleans County made it seven straight days today without a new Covid-19 case to report. Since last Thursday, the county has had 783 test results reported and all have been negative.
The county has 2 new individuals on precautionary quarantine due to travel from restricted states, the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments reported this afternoon.
In Genesee, there is one new confirmed Covid-19 case, bringing Genesee’s total to 282. (Orleans has had 288 people test positive for Covid-19 since March.)
The new case in Genesee is a Batavia resident in the 20s. The individual was not on quarantine prior to testing positive.
Genesee also has 14 new individuals on precautionary quarantine due to travel from restricted states.
• State-wide Data: Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced the state has now 27 straight days with an infection rate below 1 percent, although it was very close to breaking that threshold on Wednesday.
There were 88,981 test results reported to the state yesterday, and 889 or 0.99 percent, were positive.
• Western NY SWAT Team Testing Effort: The governor also announced the results of the state’s testing SWAT Team’s focused testing effort in Western New York over the past five days. A total of 6,385 tests were performed at the 8 sites with results delivered in 15 minutes. A total of 266 positive cases were identified, for a positivity rate of 4.1%.
The results include: City of Buffalo, 5.9%; Chautauqua County, 4.5%; Niagara County, 2.8%; and Erie County not including City of Buffalo, 2.3%.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 September 2020 at 4:20 pm
With new recovery, no active cases in Orleans County
There are no new confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Genesee and Orleans counties today.
Orleans has one more recovery from Covid-19 and now currently has no active Covid-19 cases while Genesee has four, the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments is reporting.
Orleans has four more people on precautionary quarantine due to travel from restricted states while Genesee has six more on precautionary quarantine.
To see an online map of confirmed cases in Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties, click here.
• State-wide Data: Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the 26th straight day that the state’s Covid-19 infection rate has remained below 1 percent. On Tuesday, 0.80 percent of tests reported to the state were positive. That’s 708 positive cases out 88,447 test results.
