Orleans County received 8 new positive cases of Covid-19, bringing the county’s total confirmed cases to 154, the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments reported today.

One of the new cases is a resident of The Villages of Orleans Health and Rehabilitation Center in Albion, but seven of the cases were people outside the nursing home in the community.

One of the positive cases resides in Yates, two of the new positive cases reside in Ridgeway, one lives in Shelby, two are in Albion, and one of the new positive cases resides in Murray.

Three of the individuals are in their 20s, two are in their 30s, two are in their 50s and one of the new positive cases is a person in the 80s.

None of the newly positive community cases were on quarantine prior to becoming symptomatic.

One of the previous positive community cases have recovered and have been released from mandatory isolation. That brings the total recoveries to 49 in Orleans County.

The Health Department reports that 13 of the total active positive cases are hospitalized. Please note those in the hospital may be from the community or a state-regulated facility. The Health Department does not separate them out to protect their privacy.

The department was made aware that the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) did swab all residents and employees of The Villages of Orleans Health and Rehabilitation Center, where 78 residents have tested positive for Covid-19 and 20 have died after contracting the virus. Any questions regarding specific issues should be addressed to The Villages or NYSDOH, the local health department said.

In Genesee County, there are four new positive cases of Covid-19, bringing the Genesee total to 169.

One of the new positive cases is a person who lives in Le Roy, while the other three cases are Batavia residents. One of the individuals is in the 20s and three are in their 30s.

Two of the newly positive individuals were not on quarantine prior to

becoming symptomatic.

Genesee also has had three more people recover from Covid-19, bringing the total recoveries to 99.

The county has one person currently hospitalized from the virus.

The Health Department also has received notification that one of the patients from the Batavia VA Medical Center has been identified as an Erie County resident. Therefore, the total positive case number will be one less and has been adjusted in the Genesee data.

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

Additional information from the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments:

• The facility breakdown is only showing those facilities from where we received a positive swab for Covid-19. Facilities will be added if there is a positive case of Covid- 19.

Because the local health departments don’t follow the positive cases for facilities, we cannot report any recoveries from the facilities with positive cases of Covid-19. If a regulated facility from either of the counties is not listed, there are no positive cases of Covid-19. The local health departments do not have oversight with many regulated facilities, which may include nursing homes, correctional facilities, hospitals, group homes, etc.

• Social gatherings: We have plenty of guidance and criteria for businesses to safely open and encourage everyone to visit the ESD website, NY Forward and the Regional Control Room for guidance and to answer your questions.

Un-PAUSING does NOT mean we can start having social events, even outside. The Executive Order bans gatherings of any kind, in any location, to no more than 10 people. The more socialization that occurs the higher risk of transmitting the virus, especially to those who are most vulnerable.

It is imperitive we still restrict social/family gatherings until we are certain to have this under control and/or there is a vaccine. It is expected we will see an uptick of positive cases and mandatory quarantines as social interaction increases. If cases increase, it shows us people may be ignoring the orders to not have gatherings of 10 or more people, not social distancing, not hand washing/sanitizing, disinfecting shared surfaces often, and/or not wearing face coverings properly. This can also impact our ability to continue the re-opening phases. We ask that you respect the guidance and continue to social distance.

• New York State on PAUSE: To assist local authorities with enforcement of these orders, the Governor established the New York State PAUSE Enforcement Assistance Task Force where individuals can file complaints regarding the operation of non-essential businesses or gatherings 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Click here to file a complaint online. You may also call 1-833-789- 0470. Businesses that are not in compliance with the Governor’s executive order may be penalized.

• Upcoming Graduations: Because of the current Executive Order that bans gatherings of more than 10 people, no ceremonies are allowed in stadiums or fields. Drive-by parades are okay as long as they are maintaining social distancing orders and not parking. The Governor’s office is not going to review requests on a case by case basis.

• Re-Opening Guidance: The State has provided a template for all businesses to help develop their written Safety Plan to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. This plan does not need to be submitted to a state-agency for approval, however it must be retained on the premises of the business and must be made available to the New York State Department of Health (DOH) or local health or safety authorities in the event of an inspection.

Be advised the local health departments are NOT the gatekeepers in these next steps. We are NOT reviewing/approving plans and we don’t have the ability to make decisions on who is/who isn’t a part of the first phase nor have we been provided with guidance on interpreting who is and who isn’t included.

• Children: Children have had their lives turned upside down with school suddenly closing, not being able to play with their friends, no birthday parties and people wearing masks wherever they go. This is a challenging time for everyone, but we also need to remember this is probably more challenging for many children.

Consider setting up virtual play dates so your children can ‘connect’ with their friends, plan to allow time for them to catch up, but also engage in an activity like playing cards or a board game they have while on a messaging app.

Spend time with your children outside. Now is a great time to start a Victory Garden of plants and fruits and vegetables as we move into warmer weather.

• Mental Health: Everyone reacts differently to stressful situations and having to socially distance yourself from someone you love can be difficult. Below are resources that can help you connect to a professional that can help you through these challenging times:

• Care + Crisis Helpline is available 24/7 at 585-283-5200 or text ‘Talk’ to 741741

• New Yorkers can call the COVID-19 Emotional Support Hotline at 1-844-863-9314 for mental health counseling

• Health care workers can text NYFRONTLINE to 741741 to access 24/7 emotional support services

• Domestic Violence: For New Yorkers in need of help or assistance, they can text 844-997-2121 or can go to the new confidential online site to reach a professional at www.opdv.ny.gov.

The new text program and confidential online service will make it easier for victims who are isolated with their abusers to get help. Both the text and online service are staffed 24/7 by the Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence Staff who are experts in the area of domestic violence.

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Orleans County has 4 more confirmed cases of Covid-19

Orleans County has four new confirmed cases of Covid-19, including two at The Villages of Orleans Health and Rehabilitation Center in Albion.

That nursing home also suffered another death from the virus, a person over age 65, bringing the total deaths at The Villages to 20, the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments is reporting this afternoon.

“Our sincerest condolences to the family and friends of this individual during this difficult time,” the Health Departments said in a news release this afternoon.

Of the four new cases in the county, two are at The Villages, which has now had 77 residents test positive for Covid-19. The two other positives reported today include a resident in Ridgeway and a person living in Kendall. Neither of the two new cases in the community were on quarantine prior to testing positive.

The county has now had 146 people with confirmed cases of Covid-19.

Of the four new cases, one person is in the 30s, one in the 60s, and two people are in their 70s.

Four of the previous positive community cases have recovered and have been released from mandatory isolation, bringing the total recoveries to 48, the Health Departments reported.

There are 12 people hospitalized with Covid-19 from Orleans.

In Genesee County, there is one new confirmed case of Covid-19, bringing the county’s total to 166 positive cases. The new positive case is a person from Darien in the 30s. The newly positive individual was not on quarantine prior to becoming symptomatic.

A Genesee County resident over age 65 also has died from Covid-19. The county has now suffered four deaths from the coronavirus.

The county also had one more person recover from Covid-19, bringing the total recoveries in the community to 96. Four residents remain hospitalized due to the virus.

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

The facility breakdown is only showing those facilities from where the Health Departments received notification of a positive swab for Covid-19. Facilities will be added if there is a positive case of Covid-19.

If a regulated facility from either county is not listed, there are no positive cases of Covid-19. The local health departments do not have oversight with many regulated facilities, which may include nursing homes, correctional facilities, hospitals or group homes for disabled residents.

From the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments:

• Un-PAUSING does not mean business or life as usual! Be advised the more socialization that occurs the higher risk of transmitting the virus, especially to those who are most vulnerable.

It is imperative we still restrict social/family gatherings until we are certain to have this under control and/or there is a vaccine. It is expected we will see an uptick of positive cases and mandatory quarantines as social interaction increases. If cases increase, it shows us people may be ignoring the orders to not have gatherings of 10 or more people, not social distancing and/or not wearing face coverings properly. This can also impact our ability to continue the re-opening phases. We ask that you respect the guidance and continue to social distance.

• New York State on PAUSE: To assist local authorities with enforcement of these orders, the Governor established the New York State PAUSE Enforcement Assistance Task Force where individuals can file complaints regarding the operation of non-essential businesses or gatherings 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Click here to file a complaint online. You may also call 1-833-789-0470. Businesses that are not in compliance with the Governor’s executive order may be penalized.

• Re-Opening Guidance: The State has provided a template for all businesses to help develop their written Safety Plan to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.  This plan does not need to be submitted to a state-agency for approval, however it must be retained on the premises of the business and must be made available to the New York State Department of Health (DOH) or local health or safety authorities in the event of an inspection.

Be advised the local health departments are NOT the gatekeepers in these next steps. We are NOT reviewing/approving plans and we don’t have the ability to make decisions on who is / who isn’t a part of the first phase nor have we been provided with guidance on interpreting who is and who isn’t included.

• For guidance on Phase 1 re-opening, go to the NY Forward website (click here).

• Both county operations in Genesee and Orleans are to stay reduced until June 7, according to the Governor’s Executive Order and Phase 1 guidelines.

• For questions regarding your specific business/organization contact the Regional Control Room at flnyf@esd.ny.gov.

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Orleans Community Health is responding to the recent article from an aide who quit her job at The Villages Health and Rehabilitation Center in Albion.

Hope Albone recently shared her concerns about all the residents who have contracted the coronavirus and the 19 who have died. She commented the staff felt the virus was brought to the facility by a resident who had attended dialysis in Batavia.

Laurie Joslyn, manager of Orleans Community Health’s dialysis units in Medina and Batavia, explained there has been no cases of the virus in either of those units. Batavia does, however, have a dialysis facility not affiliated with Orleans Community Health.

Joslyn said they take the utmost precautions to make sure their patients remain safe.

“We have had no positive cases of the virus,” Joslyn said. “Every patient and every staff member is screened every day, and none of us have been exposed.”

Should they have a case diagnosed, Joslyn said they have  an isolation area to keep that patient away from the others.

She said they are still taking applications for new patients in Batavia, but the slots at the Medina site are full.

Between the two sites, they treat 80 patients a week. In Medina, the site is open from 5:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday, with two shifts per day. In Batavia, they operate from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday and from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

Joslyn said several of the patients have come to her with concerns about the virus.

“But once I explain the precautions we take, they are comfortable,” she said.

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Orleans County hit a milestone on Tuesday when it reported that more than 1,000 tests for Covid-19.

Since the Covid-19 pandemic started, the county on Tuesday reported there have been 1,009 tests for the virus, with 142 testing positive with 867 negative, according to the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments.

On Wednesday, the total tested in Orleans County was up to 1,064, with 142 confirmed cases of Covid-19.

The county has 40,352 residents, according to the Census estimate in 2019. That breaks out to one tested for every 38 residents.

One of the seven criteria for reopening the state’s economy is a region must test one out of every 30 residents each month. Orleans County is in the Finger Lakes region, which meets the testing standard as a region.

Orleans County officials and the county’s state representatives have asked for the Governor’s Office to approve a drive-through testing site in the county. The nearby counties – Genesee, Niagara, Erie and Monroe – all have drive-through testing locations but that can be a 45-minute drive for Orleans residents, said Lynne Johnson, chairwoman of the Orleans County Legislature.

The county did receive some good news with Covid-19 testing on Wednesday. Oak Orchard Health was approved for $449,314 in emergency funding from the federal government to do Covid-19 testing.

Oak Orchard Health has centers in Albion, Lyndonville, Brockport, Warsaw and Hornell. The organization wants to offer Covid-19 testing at all of the sites, Oak Orchard officials said.

“We are working through the details to finalize our plans to expand our testing capacity for all of Oak Orchard,” said Stacie Bridge, director of operations for Oak Orchard Health. “Supplies are limited so we are working through how to obtain the quantities we need as well to support all the communities we serve.”

Paul Pettit, the public health director for Genesee and Orleans counties, said increased testing will be critical in tracking the virus in the county.

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Both counties report 2 more recoveries from virus

Orleans and Genesee counties are both reporting no new confirmed cases of Covid-19, and both counties had two more people recover from the coronavirus since Tuesday.

The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments releases a daily report usually at about 4 p.m. Today was a rarity since mid-March with both counties not having a new confirmed Covid-19 case. Orleans remains at 142 confirmed cases and Genesee is at 165.

With the two new recoveries in each county, Orleans is now up to 44 recoveries in the community outside nursing homes, while Genesee is up to 95 recoveries, not counting the federal detention center.

In Orleans County, 10 people are still hospitalized with Covid-19, while four people are in Genesee.

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

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Press Release, Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Office

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the State Department of Health will host a statewide webinar tomorrow for all healthcare providers to discuss the symptoms, testing and care of reported inflammatory disease in children related to Covid-19.

The State is currently investigating approximately 102 reported cases in New York where children – predominantly school-aged – are experiencing these symptoms possibly due to Covid-19. The illness has taken the lives of three young New Yorkers, including a 5-year old in New York City, a 7-year old in Westchester County and a teenager in Suffolk County.

Of these cases, 60 percent of the children displaying these symptoms tested positive for Covid-19 and 40 percent tested positive for Covid-19 antibodies. Additionally, 71 percent of the cases have resulted in ICU admission, 19 percent of cases have resulted in intubation and 43 percent of the cases remain hospitalized.

“We must stay alert with this virus because we’re still learning, and what we thought we knew doesn’t always turn out to be true,” Governor Cuomo said. “When we first started with this virus, we were told children are not affected, which was a great sigh of relief. But now we’re finding out that may not be 100 percent accurate because we’re seeing cases where children who may have been infected with the Covid virus show symptoms of an inflammatory disease like the Kawasaki disease or toxic shock-like syndrome. New York State has been aggressively investigating these new cases and is leading the efforts on this nationwide, and the more we know the more we know, the more we’ll communicate.”

New Yorkers should seek immediate care if a child has:

Predominant Symptoms:

• Prolonged fever (more than five days)
• Severe abdominal pain, diarrhea or vomiting
• Bloodshot eyes
• Skin rash

Other Symptoms:

• Change in skin color – becoming pale, patchy and/or blue
• Difficulty feeding (infants) or is too sick to drink fluids
• Trouble breathing or is breathing very quickly
• Racing heart or chest pain
• Lethargy, irritability or confusion

New York State is leading the national effort to find out more about this illness related to Covid-19 in children. Governor Cuomo yesterday directed hospitals statewide to prioritize Covid-19 testing for children displaying symptoms similar to an atypical Kawasaki disease and toxic shock-like syndrome.

At the request of the CDC, the state is helping to develop the national criteria for identifying and responding to Covid-related illness. New York State has notified 49 other states across the country of emerging cases of Covid-related illness in children, and now 14 other states and five European countries have reported cases as well.

The State Department of Health is also partnering with the NY Genome Center and Rockefeller University to conduct a genome and RNA sequencing study to better understand Covid-related illnesses in children and the possible genetic basis of this syndrome.

For more information, visit www.health.ny.gov.

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ALBION – Oak Orchard Health has been awarded $449,314 in emergency funding from the federal government to do Covid-19 testing.

It is part of $16,790,380 in federal funding to help health centers in Upstate New York respond to and contain the spread of the COVID-19 outbreak, U.S. Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand announced.

The funding will help health centers purchase, administer, and expand the use of Covid-19 testing. The funding was allocated by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) through the Expanding Capacity for Coronavirus Testing (ECT) program.

Oak Orchard Health has centers in Albion, Lyndonville, Brockport, Warsaw and Hornell. Orleans Hub has reached out to Oak Orchard Health to see which sites the testing will be offered and when it be available.

“Testing is essential to our Covid-19 response and to the successful reopening of the Upstate economy without triggering a second wave of infections,” said Senator Schumer. “This funding provides the essential expansion of testing needed to beat back the virus and for life to go back to normal. I am proud to have secured this vital funding for New York and will continue to fight tooth and nail for a fully-funded testing strategy that keeps New Yorkers safe.”

“To contain the spread of this disease and safely reopen schools and businesses, we must make COVID-19 testing widely available for all Americans,” said Senator Gillibrand. “Our state has faced more cases of COVID-19 than any other state and this critical funding will make testing and treatment more accessible in Upstate New York. As we fight to flatten the curve, I will continue to advocate for the resources needed during this pandemic.”

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NY investigating about 100 reported cases  of Covid-related illness in children

Press Release, Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Office

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today directed hospitals statewide to prioritize Covid-19 testing for children displaying symptoms similar to an atypical Kawasaki disease and toxic shock-like syndrome.

The State is currently investigating approximately 100 reported cases in New York where children – predominantly school-aged – are experiencing these symptoms possibly due to Covid-19. The illness has taken the lives of three young New Yorkers, including a 5-year old in New York City, a 7-year old in Westchester County and a teenager in Suffolk County.

“We have been behind this virus every step of the way and even as we are now beginning to see the numbers on the decline, the virus is still surprising us,” Governor Cuomo said. “Initially we thought Covid-19 didn’t affect children, and now we’re dealing with a disturbing issue where we have about 100 cases of an inflammatory disease in children that seems to be created by the virus. New York is leading the investigation of this situation and we are advising all hospitals and medical providers to prioritize diagnostic testing for any children that are displaying symptoms of this illness.”

New Yorkers should seek immediate care if a child has:

• Prolonged fever (more than five days)
• Difficulty feeding (infants) or is too sick to drink fluids
• Severe abdominal pain, diarrhea or vomiting
• Change in skin color – becoming pale, patchy and/or blue
• Trouble breathing or is breathing very quickly
• Racing heart or chest pain
• Decreased amount of frequency in urine
• Lethargy, irritability or confusion

At the request of the CDC, the state is helping to develop the national criteria for identifying and responding to Covid-related illness. The State Department of Health is also partnering with the NY Genome Center and Rockefeller University to conduct a genome and RNA sequencing study to better understand Covid-related illnesses in children and the possible genetic basis of this syndrome. New York State is also notifying 49 other states across the country of emerging cases of Covid-related illness in children.

At the direction of Governor Cuomo, the State Department of Health has issued an advisory about this serious inflammatory disease, called “Pediatric Multi-System Inflammatory Syndrome Associated with Covid-19,” to inform healthcare providers of the condition, as well as to provide guidance for testing and reporting. Health care providers, including hospitals, are required to report to the Department of Health all cases of pediatric multisystem inflammatory syndrome potentially associated with Covid-19 in those under 21 years of age.

Though most children who get Covid-19 experience only mild symptoms, in the United Kingdom, a possible link has also been reported between pediatric COVID-19 and serious inflammatory disease. The inflammatory syndrome has features which overlap with Kawasaki disease and toxic shock syndrome and may occur days to weeks after acute Covid-19 illness. It can include persistent fever, abdominal symptoms, rash, and even cardiovascular symptoms requiring intensive care.

Early recognition by pediatricians and referral to a specialist including to critical care is essential. Molecular and serological testing for Covid-19 in children exhibiting the above symptoms is recommended.

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1 more death reported at The Villages of Orleans, which now has 19 due to virus

Orleans County has eight more confirmed cases of Covid-19, with five of those new cases at a state-owned group home for people with disabilities in Ridgeway. (That group home also had a positive test over the weekend and has six total cases of Covid-19.)

There has also been one more death of a resident at The Villages of Orleans Health and Rehabilitation Center. That nursing home in Albion has now suffered 19 deaths due to Covid-19, the Genesee and Orleans Health Departments reported. The Villages also has one more confirmed case of Covid-19, bringing that total to 75.

The Health Departments also reported the first case of Covid-19 at Orchard Rehabilitation & Nursing Center in Medina.

The eight new cases reported today for the county bring the total of people to test positive to 142 in Orleans County.

Of the new positive cases, one individual is in the 20s, three people are in their 30s, one in the 50s, one in the 60s, one in the 80s and one person is in the 90s.

Two of the previous positive cases have recovered and have been released from mandatory isolation. That brings the total recoveries in the community to 42, not counting the recoveries in facilities not regulated by the local Health Department (nursing homes).

Ten of the total active positive cases are hospitalized. Please note those in the hospital may be from the community or a state-regulated facility

In Genesee County, there is one more confirmed case of Covid-19 for a total of 165 positive cases. The new positive case resides in Batavia and is a person in the 30s.

The newly positive individual was not on quarantine prior to becoming symptomatic. Five of the total active positive cases are hospitalized.

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

The facility breakdown is only showing those facilities from where the Health Departments were notified of a positive swab for Covid-19. Facilities will be added if there is a positive case of Covid-19.

If a regulated facility from either county is not listed, there are no positive cases of Covid-19.  The local health departments do not have oversight with many regulated facilities, which may include nursing homes, correctional facilities, hospitals, etc.

More information from the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments:

• Finger Lakes Region to Re-open New York’s first phase beginning on Friday.  If you have questions about New York Forward and Business Re-opening, click here.

Be advised the local health departments are not the gatekeepers in these next steps. We are not reviewing/approving plans and we don’t have the ability to make decisions on who is or isn’t a part of the first phase nor have we been provided with guidance on interpreting who is and isn’t included.

• The first phase In order to un-PAUSE safely, we need to continue to be intentional about social distancing, properly wearing face coverings, handwashing/sanitizing and limiting time in public.  Please click here for a re-opening guidance and fact sheet in response to Covid-19 developed by the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments.

For further information on the NYS Plans, click here.

• Business Safety Precautions:

Each business and industry must have a plan to protect employees and consumers, make the physical work space safer and implement processes that lower risk of infection in the business. In developing these plans, businesses will need to consider three main factors.

• The first factor is protections for employees and customers. These include possible adjustments to workplace hours and shift design as necessary to reduce density in the workplace; enacting social distancing protocols, and restricting non-essential travel for employees.

• The second is changes to the physical workspace, including requiring all employees and customers to wear masks if in frequent close contact with others and implementing strict cleaning and sanitation standards.

• The last factor for businesses to consider is implementing processes that meet our changing public health obligations, like screening individuals when they enter the workplace, or reporting confirmed positives to customers. While these processes will vary from business to business, almost everyone will have to adapt, in some way or another, to our new normal.

• ROC COVID-19 Health Screener:  This symptom tracker for the Greater Rochester region is a scientific study collected aggregate data by zip code to track hot spots of COVID-19.  The data will potentially show how the virus may be spreading, identify areas that may be at risk and determine how our efforts are working to slow the spread.

You can participate by taking the daily survey whether you are having symptoms or are feeling healthy. It just takes a few seconds. Click here for more information.

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Press Release, 914th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

U.S. Air Force graphic by 2nd Lt. Lucas Morrow: A 914th Air Refueling Wing KC-135 out of the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station along with F-35s from the 158th Fighter Wing from the Vermont Air National Guard are scheduled to fly over parts of Western New York today to salute all frontline Covid-19 healthcare workers, emergency responders, and essential employees.

NIAGARA FALLS – A formation of Western New York & New England-based U.S. Air Force aircraft are scheduled to fly over parts of Western New York on May 12, 2020, starting at approximately 11:45 a.m.

(Editor’s Note: The route starts at Eastern Niagara Hospital in Lockport but the planes are expected to be visible from Medina Memorial Hospital at about 11:30 a.m.)

Following routine training operations, a KC-135 from the 914th Air Refueling Wing’s 328th Air Refueling Squadron at NFARS and F-35s from the Vermont Air National Guard will honor all of those working on the front lines during the Covid-19 crisis.

The 328th ARS Director of Operations, Lt. Col. Ben Canetti, says the aircraft were granted final approval to fly in the restricted airspace above the city of Niagara Falls.

“There’s a lot of limitations when planning a flyover to ensure the safest environment possible,” says Canetti. “None of this would have been possible without the help of the Federal Aviation Administration, Air Transport Canada, and Buffalo Approach Control. We wish we could visit every location across Western New York but we’re limited to time, resources and fuel.”

Canetti says the route was based on population density to safely fly over as many locations as possible before being required to return to base.

“If we could fly over all of Western New York, we would. This is our salute to everyone in Western New York that’s in this fight,” says Canetti.

The flyover is directly following required aerial refueling training operations for the two wings. The formation is scheduled to start at approximately 11:45 a.m. over Eastern Niagara Hospital in Lockport, followed by Mount St. Mary’s Hospital in Lewiston, Niagara Falls International Airport, DeGraff Memorial Hospital, University at Buffalo, Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital, Buffalo Niagara International Airport, St. Joseph Campus, Mercy Hospital of Buffalo, Buffalo General Medical Center, John R. Oishei Children’s Hospital, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Erie County Medical Center & Sisters of Charity Hospital, VA Western New York Healthcare System, Kenmore Mercy Hospital and ending at approximately 12:15 p.m. over Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center.

These are just a few of the many healthcare, emergency response and essential personnel organizations that are along the flight path that will be able to view the flyover salute. We encourage everyone to continue to practice social distancing when viewing the flyover in your area. Times and locations are subject to change.

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Health Departments won’t be reviewing business plans for reopening in phase one

Orleans County has two more confirmed cases of Covid-19, bringing the county’s total to 134, the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments is reporting this afternoon.

One of the new cases is a Ridgeway resident and the other is a resident of The Villages of Orleans Health and Rehabilitation Center in Albion. That nursing home has now had 73 of its residents test positive for Covid-19.

Of the two new positive cases, one person is in the 50s and the other is in the 90s.

Ten people are currently hospitalized from Orleans County with Covid-19.

In Genesee County, there is one new confirmed case of Covid-19, a person from Batavia who is in the 30s. The newly positive individual was not on quarantine prior to becoming symptomatic.

Two more people have recovered from Covid-19 in Genesee, bringing the total recoveries to 93 in the community. (That doesn’t count the 49 people who have recovered from Covid-19 at the federal detention center in Batavia).

There are five people from Genesee hospitalized with Covid-19. The Health Departments are also reporting that one “positive/recovered” individual was determined to be a false-positive result. Therefore, the total positive case number will be one less and has been adjusted in the data.

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

The facility breakdown is only showing those facilities from where the Health Departments have received a positive swab for Covid-19. Facilities will be added if there is a positive case of Covid-19.

If a regulated facility from either of our counties is not listed, there are no positive cases of Covid-19. The local health departments do not have oversight with many regulated facilities, which may include nursing homes, correctional facilities and hospitals.

Additional information from the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments

• REOPENING –  We are pleased to receive word of being included in the Finger Lakes Region to re-open New York’s first phase beginning this Friday, May 15.

Be advised the local health departments are not the gatekeepers in these next steps. We are not reviewing /approving plans and we don’t have the ability to make decisions on who is or isn’t a part of the first phase nor have we been provided with guidance on interpreting who is and who isn’t included. We have included several links to assist with planning and contact information for your reference on how to re-open for those slated to in phase one.

• In order to un-PAUSE safely, we need to continue to be intentional about social distancing, properly wearing face coverings, handwashing/sanitizing and limiting time in public.

Please click here for a re-opening guidance and fact sheet in response to Covid-19 developed by the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments. For further information on the NYS Plans, click here and the phased plan to re-open New York (click here):

Priority Industries for Re-Opening:

• Phase One: Construction; Manufacturing & wholesale supply chain; Select retail using curbside pickup only; Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing, and Hunting
• Phase Two: Professional services; Finance & Insurance; Retail; Administrative support; Real Estate & Rental Leasing
• Phase Three: Restaurants & Food Service; Hotels & Accommodations
• Phase Four: Arts, Entertainment & Recreation; Education

• ROC COVID-19 Health Screener: This symptom tracker for the Greater Rochester region is a scientific study collected aggregate date by zip code to track hot spots of COVID-19. The data will potentially show how the virus may be spreading, identify areas that may be at risk and determine how our efforts are working to slow the spread.  You can participate by taking the daily survey whether you are having symptoms or are feeling healthy. It just takes a few seconds.  To learn more, click here.

• New York State is seeking contact tracers. If you are interested in this position, click here to apply to be a part of the NYS Contact Tracing team.  This is a moment of crisis and New York needs our help as soon as possible.

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ALBION – The Villages of Orleans Health and Rehabilitation Center in Albion has suffered another death of a resident due to Covid-19, and two more people have tested positive for the virus, the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments reported this afternoon.

The Villages has now had 18 of its residents die from Covid-19, and 72 residents at the nursing home have now tested positive.

“Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of this individual during this very sad time,” the Health Departments stated in a news release.

Orleans County also had one other person test positive for Covid-19 outside of The Villages. That brings the county’s total confirmed cases of Covid-19 to 132.

Genesee County also has an additional confirmed case today, bringing the total to 164 people who have tested positive for Covid-19 in Genesee.

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.

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Gov. Andrew Cuomo today announced new rules for nursing homes during the Coivd-19 pandemic. All nursing home staff must be tested at least twice weekly for the virus.

Hospitals also cannot discharge a patient to a nursing home until that patient has tested negative for Covid-19.

The governor has been criticized for a policy that required nursing homes to accept Covid-19 patients. But the governor said the media has done a “disservice” in its reporting on the issue.

Cuomo said nursing homes were only required to accept Covid-19 residents if the nursing homes could properly care for them. The staff needed to have enough personal protective equipment, they needed to be able to isolate patients, and staff caring for Covid-19 positive residents shouldn’t then care for residents who were negative for the virus.

About 5,000 nursing home residents have died in the state from Covid-19, including 17 in Orleans County at a nursing home in Albion. Cuomo said the state has the highest number of nursing home residents in the nation at 101,518.

If a nursing home can not provide adequate care for Covid-positive residents then they must transfer the resident. “Period,” the governor said today.

That was always the directive and that remains the requirement from the state, Cuomo said during his daily news conference.

If a nursing home fails to follow the directive from the state, it will lose its license, Cuomo said.

The governor said hospitals now have plenty of capacity to treat Covid patients and shouldn’t feel pressure to discharge patients so more beds can be available. Keeping those patients in hospitals until they test negative will ease the burden on nursing homes, Cuomo said.

Nursing homes, if they can’t meet the state standards for care, should call the Department of Health which will find a facility for any the Covid-19 positive person.

“It’s not like a situation where there are no options,” Cuomo said. “We have options and we want to use them. So if there’s any reason why you can’t provide appropriate care let us know and we will put them in a facility that has it.”

UPDATED at 3:55 p.m.: The Governor’s Office released more detailed information about the new directives:

• The Executive Order mandates that all nursing homes and adult care facilities test all personnel for Covid-19 two times per week and report any positive test results to the State Department of Health by the next day. The Executive Order also mandates that hospitals cannot discharge a patient to a nursing home unless that patient tests negative for Covid-19.

• All nursing home and adult care facility administrators will be required to submit a plan on how they will accomplish this testing and a certificate of compliance with this Executive Order to the State Department of Health by Friday,  May 15.

• Any nursing home or adult care facility found to be in violation of the Executive Order may have its operating certificate suspended or revoked or may be subject to a penalty for non-compliance of $2,000 per violation per day. Additionally, any personnel who refuse to be tested for Covid-19 will be considered to have outdated or incomplete health assessments and therefore will be prohibited from working in the nursing home or adult care facility until testing is performed.

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There are five more confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Orleans County, including two more at The Villages of Orleans Health and Rehabilitation Center in Albion

There are also three other cases in the community, the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments reported this afternoon.

The five new cases brings the total number to 129 who have tested positive for the virus in Orleans County. The Villages has now had 70 of the residents test positive for the virus.

The other three cases bring the number of positive cases outside the nursing home to 59.

Genesee County also has one more confirmed case, bringing the total to 163 in Genesee, the Health Departments reporting.

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, the Health Departments said.

The health officials urged people to practice social distancing on Mother’s Day, and to be vigilant about handwashing, clean frequently used surfaces, properly wear cloth face coverings over the mouth and nose, and keep hands away from the face.

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Schumer, Gillibrand announce money for rural hospitals

MEDINA – Orleans Community Health, the parent organization of Medina Memorial Hospital, will receive $3,492,000 in federal funding to help in the fight against Covid-19, U.S. senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand announced today.

The money for Orleans Community Health is among $264 million in federal funds for rural hospitals, clinics and community health centers. The money was allocated by Health and Human Services to combat the coronavirus, Schumer and Gillibrand said.

“This funding is good news for our rural hospitals and health centers throughout Upstate New York that have been fighting to save lives and simultaneously struggling to make ends meet during the ongoing public health crisis,” Schumer said. “Our rural Upstate hospitals and providers have been New York’s heroes in the battle against Covid-19 and these critical dollars will help keep the fight against the virus going strong.”

Other nearby rural hospitals to receive funding include $5,064,000 for United Memorial Medical Center in Batavia, $4,228,000 for Wyoming County Community Health System in Warsaw, and $4,192,000 in Dansville.

“Even before this pandemic rural health care providers were struggling to stay afloat and it’s critical that they have immediate access to capital, grant, and loan programs as they combat Covid-19 in New York’s most affected areas,” said Senator Gillibrand. “Rural hospitals, clinics, and community health centers provide a wide-range of services to some of our most vulnerable populations and they ensure every community has access to quality health care, especially in times of public health emergencies.”

During the CARES Act negations, Schumer pushed the administration to provide this vital $10 billion for rural hospitals and health centers nationally as part of $175 billion Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund he championed and is in addition from the $1.4 billion from the PHSSEF he announced last week.

The Senator explained that with nearly 74,000 confirmed cases in Upstate New York, rural hospitals and healthcare systems are facing financial difficulty and need immediate federal assistance to avoid layoffs and furloughs of healthcare staff who are vital to maintaining the frontline against Covid-19.

“Hospitals across New York state are experiencing unprecedented financial strains as they work to battle the Covid-19 pandemic,” said Bea Grause, president of the Healthcare Association of New York State. “This week’s targeted funding is a lifeline for our rural hospitals. We are tremendously grateful to Senator Schumer and Senator Gillibrand for their continuous work to infuse critical funding into New York and ensure that our rural and hot spot hospitals across the state are not left behind as a result of this pandemic.”

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