Press Release, Congressman Chris Jacobs

BATAVIA – Congressman Chris Jacobs (NY-27) is announcing a $1 million grant from the Department of Health and Human Services has been awarded to the Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse (GCASA).

“I am pleased to announce that this great local organization is receiving a grant to further combat alcohol and drug addiction, and the opioid crisis in our community,” Jacobs said. “While our nation has focused on fighting another public health battle, substance abuse has continued to hurt our communities. That is why the work the Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse is critical to our region. I am proud to see this funding go to an organization working to make our communities safer for all members, and I am committed to continuing our efforts to end the substance abuse and opioid epidemic.”

The grant was awarded through a $101 million grant program through the Department of Health and Human Services to combat substance abuse disorders (SUD) and opioid use disorders (OUD). This grant program supports 116 organizations in over 42 states – the grant is intended to expand and enhance service delivery for SUD and OUD in rural communities.

“This grant will allow GCASA to continue a multi-fold aim of removing barriers to recovery and improved quality of life for people suffering from alcohol and other drug problems,” said GCASA Executive Director John Bennett. “Far too long, we have treated addiction only as an acute disease when, in fact, it is a chronic long-term health condition.

“While treatment is a guiding force to assist individuals in establishing abstinence and getting them on the path to recovery, it does not address how to sustain individuals and families in recovery over long periods,” Bennett said. “Grants like this will help build the recovery supports and address the social determinants of health to overcome the long-term effects of addiction. It is designed to break down the barriers to long-term recovery so people can manage their own conditions over time and build on the resources needed for sustained recovery.”

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Orleans County is reporting two new Covid-19 cases today, bringing the county’s total to 282 people who have tested positive.

The new confirmed cases includes residents of Carlton and Ridgeway, with one in the 40s and the other in the 50s.

The county also is reporting four more recoveries in the community, bringing that total to 126, the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments reported this afternoon.

Orleans also have 7 new individuals on precautionary quarantine due to travel from restricted states.

In Genesee County, there are no new confirmed and three more people have recovered, bringing the total recoveries to 205.

Genesee also has 40 new individuals on precautionary quarantine due to travel from restricted states.

One person in Genesee is hospitalized with Covid-19.

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

• Statewide: Governor Andrew Cuomo announced 476 additional cases of novel coronavirus, bringing the statewide total to 421,336 confirmed cases. The 476 new cases are out of 54,002 test results reported to New York State yesterday, for a 0.88 percent positive rate.

Statewide there are 535 hospitalized with Covid-19 (down by 13), 127 in ICU (down by 4), 62 in ICY with intubation (down by 4) and two more deaths from Covid-19, bringing the state total to 25,204.

“Our numbers reflect the work of everyone in this state, and the number of ICU patients and hospitalizations have reached new lows again,” Cuomo said. “That is extraordinary given where we were just a few months ago.”

• New Mask PSA: The Governor also released a new Public Service Announcement, reminding their neighbors to wear a mask and help stop the spread of coronavirus. Click here to see it.

The new highlights the effective use of masks during the 1918 deadly Influenza Pandemic that infected 500 million people – a third of the world’s population. The advertisement features archival photos of the use of masks during the 1918 outbreak, which was crucial to preventing the spread of the deadly virus, to inspire Americans to wear masks today. This new PSA is one in a series launched by the governor to inform the public on the importance of wearing masks during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“All the data and science show that masks work, and it is essential that everyone wear a mask to protect one another and further prevent the spread of Covid-19,” Cuomo said. “Our message is simple: I wear a mask to protect you and you wear a mask to protect me.”

From the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments:

• Travel Advisory: Travelers from the following states with high coronavirus rates will be required to self-quarantine for 14 days: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin.

Those violating could be subject to a judicial order and mandatory quarantine and potential fines.

• Traveler Health Form: For all out-of-state travelers from NYS restricted states, whether arriving by land or air, must self-identify by completing a traveler health form or be subject to a $2,000 fine. Click here for the traveler health form.

• Waiting for Testing Results:  If you are being tested for Covid-19 it is important that you self-quarantine until you get your test results whether you have symptoms or not.  If you are symptomatic, meaning you are coughing, have a fever or other symptoms, self-quarantine even if you are an essential worker until you get your results back, if you have Covid-19 you may be spreading it!  That means to stay home and limit contact with other people, even in your household.

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Provided photo: Nancy Ciavarri, MD, serves as chief medical officer for Oak Orchard Health.

Press Release, Oak Orchard Health

BROCKPORT – National Health Center Week (August 9 – 15) is an annual celebration with the goal of raising awareness about the mission and accomplishments of America’s health centers over the past five decades. This year is extra special for Oak Orchard Health as they recognize this special week for the first time with their three new locations that were formerly part of Pembroke Family Medicine.

The mission of Community Health Centers remains vital today because access to basic care remains a challenge in parts of the United States including our community. Many people live in remote and underserved communities where there is a shortage of providers and, in many cases, the nearest doctor or hospital can be as far as a 50-mile drive – if transportation is available.

While COVID-19 continues to impair social and medical inequities across the country, Community Health Centers have stretched themselves to reconfigure services for those in need. As unemployment rates rise and more people lose their employee-sponsored health insurance, Community Health Centers have remained open to provide care for all, regardless of insurance status.

“Community Health Centers are here to support the community. Our presence is even more important as people face high unemployment and employer-based healthcare decreases. Oak Orchard Health is able to serve all who need medical, dental, vision, or behavioral health services,” said Mary Ann Pettibon, CEO, Oak Orchard Health

This year’s mission for Health Center Week is to thank our providers and staff along with our patients. Given we’re practicing social distancing, we’ll be using social media to communicate with patients on staying healthy during this time.

Oak Orchard Health

Originally founded in 1966, Oak Orchard has grown from a migrant health project into an integrated health center with multiple locations providing health care services for everyone located in the communities we serve. Currently serving over 30,000 patients at nine locations, Oak Orchard Health is a recognized patient-centered medical home and 501(c) nonprofit Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) located in the towns of Albion, Alexander, Batavia, Brockport, Corfu, Lyndonville, Hornell and Warsaw.

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State has fewest people in ICU from Covid-19 since March 16

Gov. Andrew Cuomo today said the state has lowest percentage of people testing positive for Covid-19 since the pandemic gripped the state in March.

New York on Saturday reported 515 new cases of Covid-19 out of 65,812 tests, a 0.78 percent positive rate.

The state also had 131 people in intensive care due to Covid-19, which is the lowest since March 16, the governor said.

“Our daily numbers remain low and steady, despite increasing infection rates across the country, and even in our region – and we had the lowest one-day positive rate since we started. That’s an incredible achievement, all thanks to the hard work of New Yorkers,” Cuomo said. “New York’s progress shows that a data-driven, phased reopening works. We have followed the data since day one, and now we are an example for the rest of the country to follow. But we must not become complacent: Everyone should continue to wear their masks and socially distance.”

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Press Release, Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments

Map from NYS Wildlife Rabies Vaccination Program and NYS Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory at Cornell University.

On behalf of Wildlife Services of the United States Department of Agriculture, the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments have been notified that they will be distributing the ONRAB oral wildlife rabies vaccine on the western parts of our counties. This program has been in Niagara and Erie counties for several years and has been expanded to include our counties.

This rabies vaccine bait will be air-dropped by a fixed wing plane or a helicopter potentially starting Aug. 11 weather permitting through late August. The ONRAB bait is in a PVC blister pack that contains the rabies vaccine. The bait is coated with a sweet attractant that includes vegetable-based fats, wax, icing sugar, vegetable oil, artificial marshmallow flavor, and dark-green food-grade dye to attract wildlife.

These baits do not contain the live rabies virus and cannot cause rabies. If found near your home, keep children away from it, use gloves or a plastic bag to move the bait to a wooded area where a raccoon, skunk, fox or coyote will be more likely to find it. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after any contact with the bait.

The bait will not hurt your dog or cat as it has been shown to be safe in many different species of animals, including dogs and cats. Eating a large number of baits may cause a temporarily upset stomach for your pet. Do not attempt to remove a bait from your pet’s mouth, doing so may cause you to be bitten and could lead to vaccine exposure. If your pet becomes ill from eating the bait, contact your veterinarian for more information.

The baits are generally eaten within 4 days, and almost all baits are gone in 1 week. If baits are not found and eaten, they will dissolve and expose the vaccine. Sunlight and exposure to air inactivates the vaccine.

For more information about this program call 1-866-487-3297 to speak with staff from Wildlife Services or visit the web: www.aphis.usda.gov/wildlife-damage/rabies.

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There will be a second public hearing about the 6,400 nursing home deaths in the state during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The first hearing was on Aug. 3 in Albany and included testimony by Howard Zucker, the commissioner of the state Department of Health.

There will be another hearing on Aug. 10. State Assemblyman Steve Hawley welcomes local residents to provide testimony on Covid-19’s impact on residential healthcare facilities and other long-term care settings.

In Orleans County, 54 nursing home residents died from Covid-19, with 30 deaths at The Villages of Orleans Health and Rehabilitation Center in Albion and 24 deaths at Orchard Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Medina.

The joint hearing from Assembly and Senate also is a chance for recommendations for improving systems, protocols and practices to reduce transmission and mortality rates of contagious diseases.

Each citizen who signs up will be allotted five minutes of speaking time, and is reminded that the proceedings are video recorded.

“Many New Yorkers have lost loved ones to the Covid pandemic, with nursing homes being particularly mishandled by state government,” Hawley said. “My staff and I drafted several letters trying to call attention to this issue before more lives were lost. It’s important that every New Yorker who feels comfortable sharing their stories at this event do so. It will provide an opportunity for your testimony to be heard before the state government directly. It won’t bring back anyone we’ve lost, but it will bring hope to the future for those who were left behind.”

Those looking to sign up and have the opportunity to speak are asked to fill out the application form (click here) and email it to the following individuals: Assemblyman Gottfried at GottfriedR@nyassembly.gov,  Assemblyman Bronson at Bronsonh@nyassembly.gov,  Assemblyman McDonald at Mcdonaldj@nyassembly.gov and ‘CC’ Assemblyman Byrne at ByrneK@Nyassembly.gov and Assemblyman Hawley at hawleys@nyassembly.gov.

The State Legislature is seeking input on the Covid-19 outbreaks in nursing homes. Legislators want to hear about distribution of medical supplies and personal protective equipment, safety inspections and enforcement during the State of Emergency as well as the practices and procedures of residential health care facilities in responding to Covid-19.

These hearings will seek to identify what steps can be taken to reduce the rate of infection and mortality rate and improve the outcomes and experiences of patients, families, caregivers and providers.

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The Genesee and Orleans County Health Department is reporting no new cases of Covid-19 in Orleans County today, but there are three more in Genesee County.

In Genesee, the new positive cases reside in Batavia and Pembroke. Two of the positive individuals are in their 20s and one is in the 40s. The individuals were not on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive. Genesee has now had 266 people test positive for Covid-19.

Genesee has also had five more people recover from Covid-19 and they have been released from mandatory isolation.

Genesee also has 16 new individuals are on precautionary quarantine due to travel from restricted states.

On Thursday, neither Genesee or Orleans had someone hospitalized with Covid-19. That changed today with one resident from Genesee in the hospital due to Covid-19.

While Orleans doesn’t have any new confirmed cases today, the county has added 16 new individuals on precautionary quarantine due to travel from restricted states.

• Schools: Today, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that all school districts in NYS can reopen based on the metrics set forth by the state, the local health departments reported.

In order to reopen, regions must be in Phase 4 and the daily infection rate must remain below 5% using a 14-day average. If the infection rate increases, the guidance will change accordingly. “If you have specific questions about the school reopening plan, please contact your respective school district,” the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments said today.

• State-wide update: New York has 714 new cases of Covid-19 statewide. There were 714 positive tests out of 70,170 test results, for 1.0 percent testing positive.

The state is reporting 5 deaths from Covid-19 on Thursday, 579 patient hospitalizations (up by 9), 139 in ICU (up by 7) and 66 intubated in ICU (down 3).

“Our performance is extraordinary in this sea of spread around us,” Gov. Andrew Cuomo said. “Our numbers are great because we’re doing what we need to do – the quarantine procedures are all in place and we’re enforcing compliance. But we cannot become complacent, especially as infection rates continue to surge. We must protect the progress we’ve made in New York, and it’s going to take the work of all of us to keep wearing our masks, socially distancing and staying New York Tough.”

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Orleans and Genesee counties both don’t have any new cases of Covid-19, and both counties don’t have a resident in the hospital from the coronavirus.

Genesee County is also reporting one more person has recovered from Covid-19.

Orleans has 10 more people on precautionary quarantine due to travel from restricted states while Genesee County has 12 more precautionary quarantine.

• Statewide there are 703 new Covid-19 cases in the state out of 72,370 test results for a 0.97 percent positive rate.

The state is reporting three deaths from Covid-19, 570 hospitalizations (up by 6), 132 in ICU (down by 2), and 69 who are intubated (no change from previous day).

“There’s no secret to how a virus spreads – this is mathematics, this is science and this is a function of our behavior, which we see reflected in the daily numbers,” Cuomo said. “New Yorkers worked hard to change our behavior and bring the numbers down to the levels we have been holding at through our phased reopening. We are now focused on protecting that hard-won progress. We are fighting against the national surge of cases with our quarantine efforts, but we need local governments to be more active in enforcing compliance.”

• More from Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments:

• Travel Advisory: Travelers from the following states with high coronavirus rates will be required to self-quarantine for 14 days: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin.

Those violating could be subject to a judicial order and mandatory quarantine and potential fines.

• Traveler Health Form: For all out-of-state travelers from NYS restricted states, whether arriving by land or air, must self-identify by completing a traveler health form or be subject to a $2,000 fine. Click here for the traveler health form.

• Gathering sizes: According to Governor Cuomo’s Executive Order 202.45, all non-essential gatherings of up to 50 individuals of any size for any reason (graduation parties, celebrations, weddings, or other social events at public facilities or private venues) unless otherwise designated (ex. Religious gatherings), are now allowed for those regions in phase 4. So long as appropriate social distancing, wearing cloth masks/face coverings over their mouth and nose, and cleaning and disinfection protocol requirements are followed.

• Be alert for scam artists: The Genesee and Orleans County Health Department staff will always identify themselves, their position, and the reason for their visit or phone call. All staff have county provided identification badges that have their pictures. In the event you are approached by someone stating they are from the health department without a clear reason for their visit or phone call, do not let them in your home and do not give them any information and call 911.

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No one from Orleans currently hospitalized with coronavirus

Orleans and Genesee counties are each reporting one new case of Covid-19 today.

The new case in Orleans is a person in the 50s from Murray. The individual was not on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive, the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments reported. Orleans has now had 280 people test positive for Covid-19.

The county is also reporting one new recovery bringing that total to 122, which doesn’t include residents of nursing homes or other facilities not regulated by the local health department.

Orleans also has 18 new individuals on precautionary quarantine due to travel from restricted states.

No one from the county is currently hospitalized with Covid-19.

In Genesee, the new case is a person in the 20s from Batavia. The individual was not on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive. Genesee has now had 263 people test positive for Covid-19.

The county also added 16 new individuals to precautionary quarantine due to travel from restricted states. One Genesee resident is hospitalized with Covid-19.

• State-wide update: Gov. Andrew Cuomo today said there are 636 new cases of Covid-19 in the state, out of 72,668 tests, a 0.87 percent positive rate.

The state also had four new confirmed deaths from Covid-19 on Tuesday, bringing the total to 25,179.

There are also 564 hospitalizations from Covid-19, which is down by four, and 134 people in ICU, which is down by five.

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Orleans County has two new confirmed cases of Covid-19, and both people are in their 30s. One lives in Kendall and the other is a Murray resident, the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments is reporting this afternoon.

Orleans has now had 279 people test positive for Covid-19. The two new cases were not on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive.

Orleans also has six more people on precautionary quarantine due to travel from restricted states. The county has one resident hospitalized due to Covid-19.

Genesee County is reporting one new case, a person in the 50s from Batavia. The individual was not on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive.

Genesee has now had 262 people test positive for Covid-19. The county also has 13 more people on precautionary quarantine due to travel from restricted states.

Genesee also is reporting one person is hospitalized due to Covid-19.

Statewide: Gov. Andrew Cuomo this morning reported there are 746 new confirmed cases in the state, out of 70,993 test results on Monday, for a 1.05 percent positive rate.

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

Cuomo reported there are 568 people hospitalized in the state due to Covid-19, which is up by 32. There are 139 in intensive care (up by three), and 69 people were intubated in ICU (which is up by 7).

The state also has three new confirmed deaths from Covid-19, bringing that total to 25,175 in the state.

• More from Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments:

• Travel Advisory: Travelers from the following states with high coronavirus rates will be required to self-quarantine for 14 days: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin.

Those violating could be subject to a judicial order and mandatory quarantine and potential fines.

• Traveler Health Form: For all out-of-state travelers from NYS restricted states, whether arriving by land or air, must self-identify by completing a traveler health form or be subject to a $2,000 fine. Click here for the traveler health form.

• Gathering sizes: According to Governor Cuomo’s Executive Order 202.45, all non-essential gatherings of up to 50 individuals of any size for any reason (graduation parties, celebrations, weddings, or other social events at public facilities or private venues) unless otherwise designated (ex. Religious gatherings), are now allowed for those regions in phase 4. So long as appropriate social distancing, wearing cloth masks/face coverings over their mouth and nose, and cleaning and disinfection protocol requirements are followed.

• Be alert for scam artists: The Genesee and Orleans County Health Department staff will always identify themselves, their position, and the reason for their visit or phone call. All staff have county provided identification badges that have their pictures. In the event you are approached by someone stating they are from the health department without a clear reason for their visit or phone call, do not let them in your home and do not give them any information and call 911.

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The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments said there is one new confirmed case of Covid-19 in Orleans and five more in Genesee since Friday.

Orleans has now had 277 people test positive for Covid-19. The new case is a person in the 50s from Yates. The individual was not on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive, the Health Departments reported this afternoon.

The county also has 27 new individuals on precautionary quarantine due to travel from restricted states. One resident from Orleans is currently hospitalized due to Covid-19.

Genesee’s 5 new cases bring the total to 261 who have tested positive in Genesee. The new cases include residents of Batavia, Elba and Pembroke. One is in the 20s, one in the 40s, another in the 50s, one in the 60s and the other resident is in the 70s.

The individuals were not on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive.

Genesee also has 33 new individuals on precautionary quarantine due to travel from restricted states. One Genesee resident is hospitalized.

Genesee is also reporting five more recoveries from Covid-19, bringing that total in the community to 196.

Click here to view to see an online map of confirmed cases in Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties. Currently there are 12 active cases in the three counties.

• State update: Gov. Andrew Cuomo today reported there are 536 people hospitalized with Covid-19, the lowest since March 17.

The intubations is down to 62, the lowest since mid-March. There were three confirmed deaths from Covid-19 in the  state, including none in New York City for the second straight day.

Of the 51,839 test results reported to New York State on Sunday, 545 or 1.05 percent, were positive.

More from the Genesee and Orleans County Health Department:

• Discrepancy with state data: We only report the numbers that are directly received to our departments. NYS data has been off due to some results being linked to people with one of our county’s addresses but actually don’t live in either county. These results are transferred to the appropriate county of residence, but are not reflected in the state’s daily updates.

• Facilities: There are currently no new positive cases of residents in any of the non-county regulated facilities in Genesee or Orleans counties.  If we have any changes we will re-post the graph with updates which will include all previous confirmed cases and number of deaths.

• Travel Advisory: New York is requiring travelers from the following 34 states with high coronavirus rates to self-quarantine for 14 days: Alaska, Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin.

The list also includes Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico.

Those violating could be subject to a judicial order and mandatory quarantine and potential fines. These states may change at any time.

• Be alert for scam artists: The Genesee and Orleans County Health Department staff will always identify themselves, their position, and the reason for their visit or phone call. All staff have county provided identification badges that have their pictures.

In the event you are approached by someone stating they are from the health department without a clear reason for their visit or phone call, do not let them in your home, do not give them any information and call 911.

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6 million Covid tests have been completed in state

The state reached a new low in hospitalizations from Covid-19 on Saturday. The 556 hospitalizations are the fewest since March 17.

There were also three confirmed deaths from Covid-19 on Saturday in the state. The state’s three-day daily average was 4, the lowest number since mid-March.

The state also reached a milestone on Saturday with the total Covid tests in the state surpassing 6 million.

“We’ve now conducted over 6 million tests, and the numbers are just about where we want them to be, which is all very good news and says that our plan is working,” Governor Cuomo said today. “However, context is important, and there are storm clouds on the horizon in the form of new cases throughout the country and a lack of compliance here in the state, and I urge New Yorkers to stay New York Smart and local governments to properly enforce state guidance.”

Saturday was also the five-month anniversary of the first confirmed case of Covid-19 in the state. The state has had 416,298 confirmed cases in the past five months.

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State reports lowest Covid hospitalizations, ICU patients since mid-March

Orleans and Genesee counties each are reporting one new confirmed case of Covid-19.

The new case in Orleans is a person in the 60s from Shelby. The individual was not on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive. The county has now had 276 people test positive for Covid-19.

Orleans also has one person hospitalized with Covid-19, and 12 new individuals on precautionary quarantine due to travel from restricted states, the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments is reporting this afternoon.

Genesee County received 1 new confirmed case and now has a total of 256 people who have tested positive.

The new case is a Batavia resident in the 30s. The individual was not on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive.

Genesee has one person hospitalized with Covid-19. Genesee has 23 new individuals are on precautionary quarantine due to travel from restricted states.

• State sees new low in hospitalizations, intubations: Gov. Andrew Cuomo said hospitalizations statewide are at 576, the lowest since March 17. Patients in ICU due to Covid-19 are at 140, the lowest since March 16, and intubations are down to 70, a new low since March 15.

“So much of our ability to fight this destructive virus is dependent on what each of us does in day-to-day life, and social distancing, wearing masks and washing hands make a huge difference as we stay New York Smart,” Cuomo said. “I ask New Yorkers to continue practicing those good habits and closely following state guidance, and I urge local governments to enforce that guidance.”

The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments issued the following information:

• Travel Advisory: New York is requiring travelers from the following 34 states with high coronavirus rates to self-quarantine for 14 days: Alaska, Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin.

The list also includes Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico.

Those violating could be subject to a judicial order and mandatory quarantine and potential fines. These states may change at any time.

• Be alert for scam artists: The Genesee and Orleans County Health Department staff will always identify themselves, their position, and the reason for their visit or phone call. All staff have county provided identification badges that have their pictures.

In the event you are approached by someone stating they are from the health department without a clear reason for their visit or phone call, do not let them in your home, do not give them any information and call 911.

• Community Testing Sites: Check with the testing site for any specific criteria necessary for testing such as illness, contact with someone who tested positive, essential worker, required for reopening/business, etc. Many need to have a doctor referral/prescription. Always call first.

• Oak Orchard Health: 301 West Ave Albion, NY 14411. Call (585) 589-5613 to be screened and to schedule an appointment – no walk-ins.
• WellNow Urgent Care: 4189 Veterans Memorial Drive Batavia, NY 14020.
• Rochester Regional Health Urgent Care: 16 Bank Street Batavia, NY 14020. (Rochester Regional Health has transitioned Covid-19 evaluations from the tents at 127 North Street to Urgent Care.)

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‘Because of the generosity of our community, we have been able to handle all that has been thrown at us so far.’

Contributed photo: Marc Shurtz is the interim chief executive/chief financial officer at Orleans Community Health. He started the job on Wednesday, replacing Mark Cye, who left to take the chief financial officer position at Warren General Hospital in Warren, Pa.

MEDINA – It has always been Marc Shurtz’s goal to attain a position where he could help an organization thrive.

He believes he is on the path to realizing that goal as the new interim chief executive/chief financial officer at Orleans Community Health.

Shurtz officially took over the position on Wednesday from Mark Cye, who joined Orleans Community Health just five years ago and held the duel title of CEO/CFO for just over two years. Cye resigned, effective July 28, to take a position as CFO at Warren General Hospital, an $80 million operation in Warren, Pa.

Cye said he has enjoyed his time and roles at Orleans Community Health and is excited to get back to the finance role. He credits the hospital’s movement in the right direction during the past several years to the continuous support of the staff at Orleans Community Health, something which Shurtz hopes continues under his direction.

Shurtz grew up in Michigan and moved to this area after serving in the Navy for 13 years. He was drawn to the healthcare field because he finds it very rewarding to have a positive effect on the community every day. Prior to his career move to Orleans Community Health, Shurtz worked for a large law firm in Buffalo for more than 10 years.

Cye is confident with Shurtz’s ability to fulfill his new role, as he has been working closely with Cye during the past year. Shurtz has served Orleans Community Health as chief information officer and corporate compliance officer since 2014. He brings 20 years of management experience spanning across military, legal and healthcare backgrounds.

Shurtz is excited about the opportunity to work with the community to find ways to keep Orleans Community Health a valuable asset for the community.

“We have been very fortunate to have the communities’ support during this pandemic,” Shurtz said. “Because of the generosity of our community, we have been able to handle all that has been thrown at us so far. We continue to be diligent in infection control and have been open to opening all services back up. In this day it is difficult to keep health care services close to home, but that is my goal. I also want to market a lot of the services which I don’t think the community realizes we provide.”

These include infusion therapy (beneficial to people suffering from dehydration, multiple sclerosis, Crohn’s disease and anemia), blood transfusions (on an out-patient basis), a wound care center, podiatry and phlebotomy , as well as blood tests and wide range of X-rays. Shurtz also noted the hospital’s long-term care ward recently achieved a four-star rating with the New York State Department of Health.

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Orleans County has one new confirmed case of Covid-19, a person in the 40s from Gaines, the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments is reporting this afternoon.

The individual was not on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive. Orleans has now had 275 people test positive for Covid-19.

The county also has one additional person on precautionary quarantine for 2 weeks due to travel from a restricted state with high Co id-19 infections.

Genesee County has 2 new confirmed cases of Covid-19 for a total of 255 positive cases.

The new positive cases include a Batavia resident and a person from LeRoy. One of the individuals is in the 40s and the other is in the 50s.

Neither of the individuals were on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive.

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

• Hospitalizations at lowest level statewide since March 17: Both Genesee and Orleans each have a resident hospitalized with Covid-19. Gov. Andrew Cuomo today reported there are 586 people in the state hospitalized with Covid-19, the lowest number since March 17.

The number of ICU patients statewide is at 142 today due to Covid-19, the lowest number since March 16.

More from the local Health Department:

• Travel Advisory: New York is requiring travelers from the following 34 states with high coronavirus rates to self-quarantine for 14 days: Alaska, Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin.

The list also includes Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico.

Those violating could be subject to a judicial order and mandatory quarantine and potential fines. These states may change at any time.

• Be alert for scam artists: The Genesee and Orleans County Health Department staff will always identify themselves, their position, and the reason for their visit or phone call. All staff have county provided identification badges that have their pictures.

In the event you are approached by someone stating they are from the health department without a clear reason for their visit or phone call, do not let them in your home, do not give them any information and call 911.

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