Press Release, Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments

The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments have received notice of 4 more Covid-19 cases. Orleans has 3 new positive cases (bringing the total to 242) and Genesee has 1 (bringing the total to 195).

Contact tracing has been initiated and all who have had direct contact with the individuals will be notified by Health Department staff. All of the new positive cases are community members (outside of nursing homes or other facilities)  and none of them were under quarantine prior to testing positive.

There is currently no further information to release on ages and location. Mapping to include the positive cases from the weekend will be updated on Monday afternoon.

In this morning’s address, Governor Cuomo announced churches can have services starting immediately with up to 25 percent of their building capacity. Social distancing, face coverings and proper hygiene must be followed. All churches also have to have a completed business safety plan in place. Check www.forward.ny.gov for more details.

Now that we are halfway through Phase 2 we ask residents to continue social distancing, mask wearing, and proper hygiene. Even when you are outside, the virus can be spread.

We also ask residents to be respectful of the business owners and wear masks while you are in their establishment. If you are unable to wear a mask due to a medical condition, call the business and ask for curbside delivery.

We can all show people that we care and respect them by continuing these practices to keep everyone safe.

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Businesses urged to have plans in place for Phase 3 of reopening

Orleans County has one new confirmed case of Covid-19, a person in the 30s who lives in Yates, the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments said this afternoon.

The new positive case was not on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive.

Orleans has now had 239 confirmed cases of Covid-19.

Three more county residents have also recovered from the coronavirus, bringing the total recoveries to 83.

The Health Departments reported that 16 from Orleans are currently hospitalized with Covid-19.

In Genesee County, two more people tested positive for Covid-19, both are from Batavia. One is in the 30s and the other is in the 40s. One of the new positive cases was on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive.

Genesee has also had five more people recover from Covid-19, bringing that total to 132. No one from Genesee is currently hospitalized with Covid-19, the Health Departments reported.

Paul Pettit, the public health director for the two counties, urged local residents to continue vigilance with social distancing and wearing a facial covering when in public around other people.

He thanked residents for their precautions to slow the spread of the virus. He said that is helping the county and Finger Lakes Region advance on a methodical march to reopening the economy.

If the region doesn’t see a significant increase in hospitalizations from Covid-19, Pettit said the county and region could advance to Phase 3 of businesses reopening. That could happen next Friday, but Pettit said that announcement with come from the governor’s office.

Cuomo last Friday announced businesses could move to Phase 2 of the reopening, but that announcement didn’t come until 1 in the afternoon.

Pettit urged businesses to have their plans in place for protecting employees and the public from Covid-19. Those plans should include keeping people 6 feet apart, wearing masks, sanitizing common areas, frequent cleaning and Plexiglass or other dividers between the public and employees.

The plans don’t need to be approved by the Health Department, but they need to be done to show businesses understand the guidelines and have implemented them. Pettit said the local health department can provide some assistance if businesses aren’t sure how to proceed.

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There are no new confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Orleans County, but there has been an additional death, a resident of the Villages of Orleans Health and Rehabilitation Center in Albion.

The Villages has now had 28 of its residents pass away from Covid-19. The county has suffered 41 deaths from the coronavirus.

Two more people from the county have also recovered from Covid-19, bringing the total recoveries in the community to 80.

The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments is reporting that 17 residents from Orleans remain hospitalized with Covid-19.

In Genesee County, there is one new confirmed case of Covid-19, for 192 total. The new case is a resident of Pembroke in the 50s. The newly positive case was not on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive.

Genesee also has an additional recovery, bringing that total to 127. No Genesee residents are currently hospitalized from Covid-19.

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

The facility breakdown shows the total positive cases from facilities where a positive case has been reported to the Health Departments.

Additional information from the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments:

• Outdoor dining: The Governor announced that outdoor dining at restaurants will be permitted beginning today. Outdoor tables must be spaced six feet apart, all staff must wear face coverings and customers must also wear face coverings when not seated. There are still limitations.

We encourage business owners to go to the NY Forward website and click on Phase Two for more information.

For Outdoor and Takeout/Delivery Food Services guidance, click here.

• Graduation: To help schools plan graduation ceremonies to celebrate all who are graduating in a safe and responsible manner, click here for guidance from the state Department of Health.

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Two more Orleans County residents have died from Covid-19, bringing the total to 40 people who have passed away for the coronavirus, the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments is reporting today.

The two deaths reported today were residents of the Orchard Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Medina, which has now has 12 residents die from Covid-19. (Among the 40 deaths, the others include 27 residents at The Villages of Orleans Health and Rehabilitation Center in Albion, and one who was a community member outside a nursing home.)

Orleans County also has two new confirmed cases of Covid-19, who are both residents of Orchard Rehab and Nursing Center. One is in the 60s and the other is in the 80s.

Orleans County has now had 238 positive cases, with 48 of those at Orchard.

The Health Departments also are reporting one more person has recovered from Covid-19, bringing the county’s total recoveries to 78 among community residents.

Genesee County is reporting one new confirmed case of Covid-19, a person in the 40s from Batavia. That new positive case was not on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive.

While Orleans County has 18 people hospitalized with Covid-19, Genesee doesn’t have any residents in the hospital from Covid.

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

The facility breakdown shows total positive cases from facilities where the Health Departments have been notified of positive cases of Covid-19.

More from the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments:

• Outdoor dining: Governor Cuomo announced that outdoor dining at restaurants will be permitted beginning June 4. Outdoor tables must be spaced six feet apart, all staff must wear face coverings and customers must also wear face coverings when not seated.

There are still limitations. We encourage business owners to go to the NY Forward website and click on Phase Two for more information.

For guidance on Outdoor and Takeout/Delivery Food Services, click here.

• No gatherings of more than 10 people: Per Governor Cuomo, gatherings (groups, assembly, meeting, etc.) of 10 or less are permitted with social distancing and sanitization protocols in place. The executive order is only good for 30 days or unless it is extended. (Click here for more information.)

The Health Departments do not authorize or allow exemptions from the Governor’s orders. If you have questions about the orders you can go to forward.ny.gov or e-mail the Finger Lakes Regional Control Room. https://forward.ny.gov/new-york- state-pause

For questions go to NY Forward website and the Regional Control Room (for guidance and to answer your questions: e-mail to: flnyf@esd.ny.gov.

To file a complaint about a business, location or incident in your community you can call 1-833-789- 0470 or click here for a link to the online form.

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Orleans and Genesee today both are reporting a death from Covid-19.

In Orleans County, the person who passed away was a resident of The Villages of Orleans Health and Rehabilitation Center in Albion, which has now had 27 of its residents die from Covid-19. Orleans has now had 38 people die from Covid-19.

In Genesee County, a person over age 65 died from Covid-19. That person was in the hospital, the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments reported this afternoon.

Genesee has now had five residents die after contracting the coronavirus.

Both counties are also reporting new confirmed cases of Covid-19. In Orleans County, the Health Department said there are two new cases – a community member form Ridgeway and a resident of Orchard Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Medina. (Orchard has had 46 residents test positive.)

Of the new positive cases in the county, one of the individuals is in the 50s, and the other is in the 70s. The new positive community case was not on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive.

The county has now had 236 people test positive for Covid-19.

Orleans also has two more recoveries, bringing that total to 77. There are 18 residents from Orleans hospitalized with Covid-19.

Genesee County has one new confirmed case of Covid-19, a person in the 50s who lives in Byron. Genesee has now had 190 cases of Covid-19.

The new positive case was not on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive.

Genesee also has had two more recoveries in the community, bringing that total to 126. (With the four recoveries in the two counties, Genesee and Orleans have topped 200 recoveries – 203.)

Genesee County currently doesn’t have any residents hospitalized from Covid-19.

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

The facility breakdown shows the total positive cases from facilities where the Health Departments have received a positive swab for Covid-19.

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Press Release, Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments

Provided photo – Front row: Mary Ellen Messmer, Deborah Restivo, Doris Delano and Kayla Shuknecht. Back row: Kerry Miller, Kerry Ohlson, Carla Wahls and Melissa Pless. Missing from photo: Gail Pettit.

The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments’ nursing team has been recognized as a Tuberculosis Elimination Champion for 2020 by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention “Our nurses partner to test and treat TB disease and latent TB infection in migrant farmworker camps. Working together with Oak Orchard Health, a local federally funded qualified health center, they have adapted how they provide directly observed therapy to better match the schedules of their clients,” said Brendan Bedard, Deputy Public Health Director for the Health Departments. “This partnership allows them to provide TB screening and treatment for TB disease and latent TB infection to over 70 migrant farmworker camps in both counties.”

The cross-jurisdictional agreement between the two counties has allowed our nursing team to collaborate on projects such as this for the past 8 years. Not only does this help financially, but allows both counties to provide coordinated services in an effective and efficient manner.

“We are continuing in our efforts as chief health strategists to look at how our departments can combat illness and disability and assessing emerging health needs to improve community health,” stated Paul Pettit, Director of the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments. “This team approach to monitor and address the needs of priority populations in the community will help in our efforts to eradicate TB. We commend our nursing team for their efforts and diligence.”

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MEDINA – Orchard Rehabilitation and Nursing Center has suffered another death of a resident from Covid-19, the 10^th total at the nursing home in Medina on Bates Road, the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments reported this afternoon.

Orleans County has now had 37 residents die from Covid-19.

The county also has four new confirmed cases, with three of those at Orchard Rehab and Nursing Center. Orchard has now had 45 of its residents test positive for Covid-19. The three new cases include a resident in the 60s, one in the 70s and one in the 80s.

Orleans County also had a community resident in the 20s test positive for Covid-19. The county has now had 234 confirmed cases of Covid-19 since mid-March.

The new positive case in the community was not on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive, the Health Department said.

Orleans County also has had two more people recover from having Covid-19, bringing the total recoveries to 75.

There are currently 19 people from Orleans hospitalized with the coronavirus.

In Genesee County, there is one new confirmed case, a person in the 20s from Batavia. The person was on mandatory quarantine prior to becoming symptomatic.

Genesee has now had 189 confirmed cases of Covid-19.

It has one resident currently hospitalized with the coronavirus.

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

The facility breakdown shows the total positive cases from those facilities from where the Health Departments have received a positive swab for Covid-19.

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ALBION – Paul Pettit, Public Health director in Orleans and Genesee counties, will serve on the board of directors for the New York State Association of County Health Officials.

Pettit is a past president of NYSACHO, serving a term that started two years ago. NYSACHO was organized in 1979 and is a membership association representing the 58 local health departments in New York State.

The NYSACHO general membership meets monthly, providing a unique opportunity for the exchange of ideas and experiences among local public health officials as well as with other federal, state and local partners. NYSACHO strengthens the provision of local public health programs and services.

Dr. Kevin D. Watkins, Public Health Director of Cattaraugus County, is the group’s new president. Watkins has been the Public Health Director for the Cattaraugus County since 2009. He previously served as a primary care physician, research scientist, public health physician, and director of a faith and health outreach association.

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Press Release, Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Office

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that New York dentists can reopen statewide tomorrow.

Dentists’ offices will be subject to state guidance on best practices for safety and social distancing. The Governor also updated New Yorkers on the state’s progress during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. New cases, hospitalizations, intubations and deaths are all declining as of yesterday.

“The reduction in New York’s new Covid-19 cases, hospitalizations, intubations and other metrics represent tremendous progress from where we were,” Governor Cuomo said. “We have gone through hell and back – we are on the other side and it’s a lesson for all of us, and we need to stay vigilant as we reopen different parts of the state so that we don’t backslide. I am also authorizing dentists to resume their practices statewide starting tomorrow as long as they follow health and safety guidelines that the state is laying out and that we have been discussing with them.”

The Governor also confirmed 1,110 additional cases of novel coronavirus, bringing the statewide total to 370,770 confirmed cases in New York State.

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There are four more confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Orleans County, with one of them a community resident and the other three at the Orchard Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Medina.

Orleans County has now had 225 confirmed cases of Covid-19. The Orchard nursing home now has now had 40 cases among its residents.

Genesee County also has two new confirmed cases, both community members, bringing the Genesee total to 188, the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments reported this afternoon.

Contact tracing has been initiated and all who have had direct contact with the individuals will be notified by Health Department staff. There is currently no further information to release on ages and location. Mapping to include the positive cases from the weekend will be updated on Monday afternoon by the Health Departments.

“Now that we are in Phase 2 we ask residents to continue social distancing, mask wearing, and proper hygiene even in the company of whom we trust the most – family, friends, and co-workers,” according to a news release from the Health Departments. “We also ask residents to be respectful of the business owners and wear masks while you are in their establishment. If you are unable to wear a mask due to a medical condition, call the business and ask for curbside delivery. We can all show people that we care and respect them by continuing these practices to keep everyone safe.”

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Orleans County has suffered two more deaths from Covid-19, both residents of the Orchard Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Medina.

The county has now had 36 people die from Covid-19. Orchard has had nine of its residents die from Covid-19.

The county also has 10 new confirmed cases of Covid-19, bringing the total cases since mid-March to 221.

One of the new positive individuals resides in Albion, three live in Ridgeway, one is a resident of The Villages of Orleans Health & Rehabilitation Center in Albion, and five of the new positive individuals live at Orchard Rehabilitation and Nursing Center.

The Villages has now had 89 of its resident with confirmed cases of Covid-19, while Orchard has had 37 cases.

Of the new confirmed cases, one is under age 20, one is in the 20s, two are in the 50s, two are in the 60s, three are in their 70s, and one is in the 90s.

Two of the new positive cases were on mandatory quarantine prior to testing, the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments said.

One more person has recovered from Covid-19, bringing the total recoveries in the county to 73.

Nineteen people from the county are currently hospitalized from Covid-19.

In Genesee County, there is one more confirmed case, bringing the county’s total to 186. The person who tested positive lives in Batavia and is in the 20s. The person was on mandatory quarantine prior to becoming symptomatic.

Two of the total active positive cases in Genesee are hospitalized.

Click here to see an online map with information about the confirmed cases in Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties.

From the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments:

The facility breakdown only shows the total positive cases from those facilities from there has been a positive swab for COVID-19.

Phase 2 is now open in the Finger Lakes region! There are still limitations. We encourage business owners to go to the NY Forward website and click on Phase Two for more information.

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There has been another death from Covid-19 in Orleans County, bringing the total to 34 residents form the county who have passed away after contracting the coronavirus.

The latest death was a person who was a resident of the Orchard Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Medina. That nursing home has now had 7 deaths from Covid-19.

The county has two new cases of Covid-19, with one at Orchard, where 32 of its residents have now tested positive for Covid-19.

The other confirmed case reported today is an Albion resident, the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments reported. The county has now had 211 positive cases of the coronavirus.

Of the two new cases reported today, one of the new positive cases is in the 40s and the other is in the 80s. None of the new positive cases were on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive.

The Health Department is reporting two new recoveries, bringing that total to 72 in Orleans County.

There are 18 people from Orleans currently hospitalized with Covid-19.

Genesee County has two new positives, bring the total confirmed cases to 185. The two new cases are Batavia residents, with one less than age 20 and the other in the 50s.

One of the positive cases was not on mandatory quarantine prior to becoming symptomatic, the Health Departments reported.

Two people from Genesee are currently hospitalized with Covid-19.

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

The facility breakdown is only showing the total positive cases from those facilities from where there was a positive swab for Covid-19.

More information from the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments:

Governor Cuomo announced that gatherings of 10 or less are now permitted with social distancing and sanitization protocols in place. The executive order is only good for 30 days or unless it is extended. https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/no-20233-continuing-temporary-suspension-and-modification- laws-relating-disaster-emergency

• For questions go to NY Forward website and the Regional Control Room (for guidance and to answer your questions: mailto:flnyf@esd.ny.gov).

• To file a complaint about a business, location or incident in your community you can call 1-833-789- 0470 or click here.

• Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfecting for Re-opening America: click here.

Although the State has issued a statement about campgrounds, they have not provided updated guidance for camping. The local health departments are in the process of communicating with local campgrounds with updated information.

A reminder that outdoor seating for restaurants is still prohibited according to the Governor’s Executive Order and Phase 1 and Phase 2 guidelines. Restaurants are to provide take-out or delivery only until Phase 3 or until the Governor states otherwise – https://forward.ny.gov/industries-reopening-phase.

As we get closer to the potential to advance to Phase 2 those businesses in that phase should be working on their plans to have them ready. Check daily for potential guidance. Click here for guidance and the business safety plan template.

Re-Opening Guidance: Links to assist businesses

Link to the NY Forward Reopening guide: https://www.governor.ny.gov/sites/governor.ny.gov/files/atoms/files/NYForwardReopeningGuide.pd f

Regional Control Room: flnyf@esd.ny.gov

Link to NY Forward website: https://forward.ny.gov/

Link to NY Forward “Can I re-open” Business Look-up Tool https://www.businessexpress.ny.gov/app/nyforward

Public/Private Beaches: https://forward.ny.gov/statewide-guidelines

COVID-19 Test Finder: https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/find-test-site-near-you

Masks/Face Coverings – Both counties are still low in supplies of masks. They are being distributed to high-risk agencies/businesses as prioritized and if there is a supply left over they will be distributed in an appropriate manner. County plans for releasing supplies to the public will be forthcoming as supplies become available. Additional information will be released by the respective County Emergency Management offices as appropriate.

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There is one new case of Covid-19 in Orleans County, a person in the 70s from Carlton, the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments reported this afternoon.

Orleans County has now had 209 confirmed cases of Covid-19. The Health Department is reporting 70 people from the community have recovered after contracting the virus. That doesn’t include cases in nursing homes and also group homes for disabled residents. The county has had 33 deaths from Covid-19.

There are 20 people from the county currently hospitalized with Covid-19.

In Genesee County, there are two new confirmed cases, bringing the Genesee total to 183.

The new cases include a resident of Batavia and a person who lives in Darien. One of the confirmed cases is a person in the 20s, and the other is in the 30s.

One of the positive cases was not on mandatory quarantine prior to becoming symptomatic.

The Health Department is reporting two more recoveries, bringing that total to 119. Two people in Genesee are currently hospitalized with Covid-19.

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