By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 May 2020 at 2:23 pm
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.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 May 2020 at 5:23 pm
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.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 8 May 2020 at 10:01 pm
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.”
Health Department urges social distancing on Mothers’ Day
Press Release, Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments
There are no new confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Orleans, while two more people have recovered. There are now 40 recoveries. The county has 124 confirmed cases.
Seven of the total active positive cases are hospitalized.
“We are reporting that an individual (under 65 years of age) who lived in The Villages of Orleans Health and Rehabilitation Center passed away. Due to privacy issues, we are not releasing further details about this individual. I would like to express my sincerest sympathy for these individuals’ family and friends.”
Orleans County has now had 18 people die from Covid-19, including 17 residents at The Villages.
Genesee County received 1 new positive case of Covid-19 for a total of 162 positive cases. The positive case resides in Batavia and is a person is in the 80s. The newly positive individual was not on quarantine prior to becoming symptomatic.
One of the previous positive cases has recovered and has been released from mandatory isolation, bringing the total recoveries in the community to 91.
Five of the total active positive cases are hospitalized.
Click here to view the online map of confirmed cases in Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties.
The facility breakdown is only showing those facilities from where we received a positive swab for Covid-19. Facilities will be added when and 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 as of the release of this briefing. The local health departments do not have oversight with many regulated facilities, which may include nursing homes, correctional facilities, hospitals, etc.
• The Nursing Home hotline number is 833-249-8499 or click here for the online form.
Covid-19 Serology Testing (SARS-CoV-2): Serology tests look for antibodies (proteins that fight off infections) in the blood to better understand how many Covid-19 infections have occurred. Provides a more complete estimate of how common Covid-19 is (or the incidence of infection) and is a guide to control measures, such as social distancing.
• 44 residents of Orleans County had the Serology Test for antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) and 4 returned positive. 336 residents of Genesee County had the Serology Test for antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) and 12 returned positive.
• Serology tests are not used for diagnosis. These tests are more for research to help in the development of vaccines and in understanding the scale of the pandemic.
• The tests look for the antibodies in the blood. If antibodies are found it means there has been a previous infection. It takes 1-2 weeks after the first symptoms appear for antibodies to develop in the body.
• Antibodies can take 2-3 weeks after infection to develop, so people should not get the antibody test too early or it may give false negative results. This is an aid in identifying individuals with an adaptive immune response to Covid-19, indicating recent or prior infection. There are also several different strains of coronavirus and the antibody may pick up a different coronavirus type other than the current pandemic novel strain, causing positive for coronavirus antibodies. Not everyone will develop an antibody response.
• It is currently unknown if someone who has been infected with Covid-19 will be immune to the virus if exposed in the future.
Nurses’ Week – we would like to take a moment to thank our nursing teams in both counties as well as all the nurses who are working so hard to help those under their care. They daily provide care, instruction, encouragement, compassion, and strength to the patients and their families they are in contact with. We greatly appreciate all you do every day no matter if it is a routine day or in the midst of a pandemic, thank you!
Mothers’ Day: As with any special holiday, it is important during Covid-19 we continue social distancing. This is not the time to be having barbecues, large family gatherings.
Honor your moms creatively by facetiming, sending them some special treats, calling on the phone, but if you don’t live in the same household, honor them from a distance. Keep your moms healthy and safe and stay 6 feet away. We don’t want to see a rise in positive cases because people didn’t heed social distancing.
Prepping for Re-opening Our Region: The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments have developed a guide to use in developing business or organizations re-opening plans. Please click here for a re-opening guidance and fact sheet.
For further information on the NYS Plans, click here.
Priority Industries for Re-Opening:
Phase One:Construction; Manufacturing & wholesale supply chain; Select retail using curbside pickup only
Phase Two: Professional services; Finance & Insurance; Retail; Administrative support; Real Estate & Rental Leasing
Phase Four: Arts, Entertainment & Recreation; Education
• Swabbing and antibody testing is becoming increasingly available in the WNY region. If you are experiencing symptoms, contact your primary care provider and they will determine if testing is right for you. If the counties receive an increase in swabbing supplies and the protocol for testing is changed, we will notify the public. The Health Departments are not providing public swabbing due to lack of supplies. For more information on testing click here.
• There is still no cure or vaccination available for Covid-19. Be alert to scams or home remedies. Contact your primary care provider if you have any symptoms and follow his/her instructions.
• 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. As seen over the last week there have been increases in community spread cases of Covid-19.
• If we see a significant increase in community acquired positive cases it may hinder our ability to move forward and re-open our counties. It is up to each of us individually to adhere to the guidelines in place, this is about respecting others and their safety understanding as we protect others we are protecting ourselves.
Do No Harm and Strengthen Healthcare System – Based on CDC recommendations, regions must experience a 14-day decline in hospitalizations and deaths on a 3-day rolling average. Regions with few Covid cases cannot exceed 15 new total cases or 5 new deaths on a 3-day rolling average. A region must have fewer than two new Covid patients admitted per 100,000 residents per day.
Testing and Contact Tracing – Regions must implement a testing regimen that prioritizes symptomatic persons and individuals who came into contact with a symptomatic person, and conducts frequent tests of frontline and essential workers. Every region must have the capacity to conduct 30 diagnostic tests for every 1,000 residents per month.
New York State is seeking contact tracers. If you are interested in this position, click here for more information 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.
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.
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.
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.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 8 May 2020 at 5:37 pm
One more death reported at Albion nursing home due to Covid-19
ALBION – The New York State Department of Health will be testing all residents and staff at The Village of Orleans Health and Rehabilitation Center, where there has been a big outbreak of Covid-19.
The facility has 68 confirmed cases of Covid-19 among its residents. Today, another death was reported at The Villages, bringing the total deaths due to Covid-19 to 17.
The DOH will likely do the testing mid-week, said Paul Pettit, the county’s public health director. The tests should identify people with the virus, including those without symptoms. Staff members can then be quarantined and removed from the facility to reduce the chances of the virus continuing to spread, Pettit said today after his weekly 4 p.m. news briefing.
The county on Thursday evening also received 307 testing kits to be shared among the two other long-term care facilities in Orleans – the North Wing at Medina Memorial Hospital and Orchard Rehabilitation & Nursing Center in Medina. All of the residents and staff will be tested at those sites, which aren’t facing a Covid-19 outbreak.
Lynne Johnson, County Legislature chairwoman, said she is grateful for the increased testing. The Legislature has asked for the state Department of Health and Attorney General’s Office to investigate the “terrible situation” at The Villages.
Johnson also said the county is pressing the state for a mobile testing site like in the other neighboring counties.
“We are also requesting that New York State add a mobile testing site here so our residents don’t have to drive 45 minutes to get tested,” Johnson said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 May 2020 at 4:17 pm
2 more deaths reported, including 1 in community and 1 at The Villages
Orleans County has 15 new confirmed cases of Covid-19, the biggest one-day increase for the county.
Ten of those new confirmed cases are at The Villages of Orleans Health and Rehabilitation Center in Albion, where there have now been 68 confirmed cases.
The Villages also suffered another death of a resident, for 16 deaths now due to the virus at the 120-bed nursing home in Albion.
The county also had its first death from Covid-19 outside of the nursing home, the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments is reporting this afternoon. That person had underlying health issues, the Health Departments reported.
“Due to privacy issues, we are not releasing further details about either of these individuals,” Public Health Director Paul Pettit stated in a news release. “I would like to express my sincerest sympathy for these individuals’ family and friends.”
The 15 new positive cases of Covid-19 bring the county’s total to 124 positive cases. That includes 38 people who have recovered.
The five new community cases include a resident in each of the following towns: Albion, Gaines, Kendall, Shelby and Yates.
Of the 15 new cases, the age ranges for the people who tested positive include two people in their 30s, one in the 50s, four in the 60s, three in the 70s, five in the 80s, and one in the 90s.
One of the community newly positive individuals was on quarantine prior to becoming symptomatic. Eight of the cases include people who are currently hospitalized.
In Genesee County, there are four new positive cases of Covid-19 for a total of 161 positive cases.
Two of the new positive cases are people who reside in Batavia, while one resides in Bethany, and the other lives in the Town of Alabama.
Two of the people are in their 30s, one is in the 40s, and other is in the 50s.
Three of the newly positive individuals were on quarantine prior to becoming symptomatic.
Genesee had two more people recover from the virus, bringing the total recoveries to 90.
Five people are currently hospitalized from Covid-19.
Click here to view the online map of confirmed cases in Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties.
The facility breakdown is only showing those facilities with 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 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 and hospitals.
• In order to un-PAUSE safely, the Health Departments urge residents to continue to be intentional about social distancing, properly wearing face coverings, handwashing/sanitizing and limiting time in public.
As seen over the last week there have been daily increases in community spread cases of Covid-19.
“If we see a significant increase in community-acquired positive cases it may hinder our ability to move forward and re-open our counties,” the Health Departments said. “It is up to each of us individually to adhere to the guidelines in place. This is about respecting others and their safety, understanding as we protect others we are protecting ourselves.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 6 May 2020 at 4:37 pm
15 residents have now died at nursing home in Albion from coronavirus
The local health department is reporting one more death from Covid-19 at The Villages of Orleans Health and Rehabilitation Center in Albion. That brings the total confirmed deaths due to coronavirus at the nursing home to 15.
“Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of this individual at this very sad time,” the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments said in a news release this afternoon.
There is also one more confirmed case of Covid-19 at The Villages, bringing that total to 58.
The county has four new positive cases of Covid-19, with three others outside of the nursing home. That brings the county’s total positive cases to 109.
None of the three were on quarantine prior to becoming symptomatic.
Two of the new positive cases reside in Ridgeway and one of the new positive cases is in Shelby.
Among the four cases, one individual is in the 40s, two are in their 50s and one individual is in the 80s or older, the Health Departments reported.
Genesee County 3 new positive cases of Covid-19 for a total of 157 positive cases.
Two of the positive cases reside in Pembroke and one resides in Batavia. One individual is in the 20s and the other two are in their 30s.
Two of the newly positive individuals were on quarantine prior to becoming symptomatic.
Five of the total active positive cases in Genesee County are hospitalized.
“We have removed a ‘positive/recovered’ individual that was determined to be a false-positive result,” the Health Departments said. “Therefore, the total positive case number will be one less and has been adjusted in our data. No further information will be shared.”
The facility breakdown is only showing those facilities from where there has been a positive swab for Covid-19. Facilities will be added when and 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.
• 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.
• The Nursing Home hotline number is 833-249-8499 or click here for the link to the online form.
• Prepping for Re-opening Our Region: The Health Departments have developed a guide to use in developing business or organizations re-opening plans.
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.
Press Release, Medina Memorial Hospital/Orleans Community Health
MEDINA – We are also pleased to announce that radiology, imaging and cardiac services have resumed at Medina Memorial Hospital by appointment only.
Services include: CT, ultrasound, MRI, mammography, nuclear medicine and cardiology. A script from your physician and insurance authorization are required. Accommodations will be made for high risk individuals at designated times. Please call 585-798-8054 to make an appointment.
Radiology continues to be offered at the Albion Healthcare Center – 14789 Route 31, Albion (585-589-2273) by appointment only.
All patients who enter the hospital or the Albion Health Center will be required to have their temperature taken and will be given a mask.
If you have any questions, please call Erica Chutko, director of Radiology, Imaging and Cardiac Services, at 585-798-8039.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 May 2020 at 4:20 pm
Nursing home in Albion now has had 57 residents test positive
ALBION – The Villages of Orleans Health and Rehabilitation Center in Albion has three more confirmed cases of Covid-19, bringing the total 57 residents at the nursing home who have tested positive.
The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments reported the three latest confirmed cases this afternoon. The people who tested positive include one person in the 70s, one in the 80s and one in the 90s.
Orleans County, as a whole, has now had 105 people test positive for Covid-19, with more than half at The Villages.
The Orleans County Legislature and State Assemblyman Steve Hawley are asking the State Department of Health for an investigation into the outbreak at The Villages, where 14 people have died from Covid-19. The Legislature also is asking the Attorney General Letitia James to investigate the nursing home’s handling of the virus.
The Health Department reports today that six people from Orleans County who currently have Covid-19 are hospitalized. Of the 105 who have tested positive, 38 have recovered.
In Genesee County there is one new confirmed case of Covid-19. That person is from Darien and is in the 80s. The newly positive individual was not on quarantine prior to becoming symptomatic.
Genesee County has had 155 people test positive for Covid-19. Three more people have recovered from the virus, bringing the total recoveries to 86.
Five of the active cases include people who are hospitalized.
Click here to see an online map of 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 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 and hospitals.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 May 2020 at 4:18 pm
5 more recoveries reported in Orleans County
The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments are reporting new Covid-19 cases today for both counties.
In Orleans there are two new confirmed cases of Covid-19, bringing the county’s total to 102 positive cases.
One of the new cases is a Ridgeway resident while the other case is a resident of The Villages of Orleans Health & Rehabilitation Center in Albion. The Villages has now had 54 residents test positive for Covid-19.
The two new positive cases for the county include an individual in the 40’s and one in the 70’s. The Ridgeway resident wasn’t on mandatory quarantine prior to becoming symptomatic.
The Health Departments are reporting five more people have recovered from Covid-19 and have been released from mandatory isolation. That brings the total recoveries to 36.
Five of the total active positive cases include people who are hospitalized.
In Genesee County, there is one new confirmed case, for 154 total in the county. The new case is a person who’s in the 20’s and lives in the Town of Alabama. The individual was not on quarantine prior to becoming symptomatic.
The Health Departments is reporting one more recovery in Genesee County, bringing that total to 86. Six Genesee County residents remain hospitalized from Covid-19.
The facility breakdown is only showing those facilities from where the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments received a positive swab for Covid-19. Facilities will be added when and if there is a positive case 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 and hospitals, etc.
Click here to view an online map of confirmed cases in Orleans, Genesee and Wyoming counties.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 May 2020 at 4:16 pm
Health Department reports 1 more death from Covid-19 at The Villages for 14 total
ALBION – Two more people residents of Orleans County have tested positive for Covid-19, bringing the county’s total to 100.
The two new positives are both residents of The Villages of Orleans Health and Rehabilitation Facility in Albion. That 120-bed facility now has had 53 people test positive for Covid-19.
The nursing home also had another person die of Covid-19, bringing the total deaths from the coronavirus at The Villages to 14. The person passed away on Friday and that death was reported to the Health Department today.
“We extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of this individual during this very challenging time,” said Paul Pettit, director of Genesee & Orleans County Health Departments.
Of the 100 confirmed cases in Orleans County, 31 people have recovered after contracting the virus.
The two Health Departments announced the new cases today at 4 p.m. Besides the new two cases in Orleans County, there are three more in Genesee, which now has had 153 people test positive.
The Health Department will provide more information on Monday about the ages of the people and where they are from in the new Genesee cases.
The Health Departments urges people to continue to be vigilant about handwashing, cleaning frequently used surfaces, properly wearing cloth face coverings over the mouth and nose, and keeping your hands away from your face.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 May 2020 at 11:01 am
Assemblyman Hawley says he is asking state to bring testing site to Orleans County
Orleans County stands alone among its neighbors by not having a drive-through testing site for Covid-19.
In Genesee County, United Memorial Medical Center in Batavia added a drive-through site in late March.
Last week Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced the opening of drive-through sites close to Orleans, including:
• Niagara County: Niagara County Community College, 3111 Saunders Settlement Rd., Sanborn
• Erie County: Buffalo Sabres Lot, 125 Perry Street, Buffalo
• Monroe County: Monroe County Community College, 1000 E Henrietta Road, Rochester, Lot G
(People who would like to be tested at these facilities must make an appointment by calling 888-364-3065 or online at covid19screening.health.ny.gov.)
In Orleans County, 662 people have been testing for Covid-19, as of Friday, the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments reported. Of those tested in Orleans, 566 didn’t have Covid-19, while 96 tested positive, as of Friday. (Two more people tested positive on Saturday, bringing the total to 98.)
The county has a population of 40,352, according to the 2019 Census estimate. With 662 tested, that is one out of 60 in the county.
In Genesee County, where there is a drive-through testing site, 1,030 people have been tested overall. The county has a population of 57,280, according to the 2019 Census estimates. With 1,030 people tested in the county, that is one out of every 55, which isn’t much different than in Orleans.
Paul Pettit, the Public Health director in the two counties, said more testing is needed in both counties to get an accurate picture of how prevalent the virus is in both counties.
A free opioid overdose prevention online Narcan training is scheduled for May 13. The program is hosted by the GOW Opioid Task Force and Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Prevention Department.
The videoconference training offers two one-hour sessions: 10 to 11 a.m. and 2 to 3 p.m. Participants need to attend only one of the sessions to receive credit.
Topics to be covered include the disease of addiction, a brief history of the opioid crisis, signs and symptoms of opioid use and overdose, the overdose reversal drug Narcan, the administration of Narcan and where to obtain Narcan.
“After completing a registration form, an attendee will be sent a link for this online training,” said Christen Ferraro, task force coordinator. “Once the training is complete, that person will receive a free Narcan nasal spray kit from a licensed provider.”
To register, send an email requesting a registration form to cferraro@gcasa.org.
Amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the results of the state’s completed antibody testing study show 12.3 percent of the population have COVID-19 antibodies.
The survey developed a baseline infection rate by testing 15,000 people at grocery stores and community centers across the state over the past two weeks. Of those tested, 11.5% of women tested positive and 13.1% of men tested positive.
“While we’re in uncharted waters it doesn’t mean we proceed blindly, and the results of the 15,000 people tested in our antibody survey program – the largest survey in the nation – will inform our strategy moving forward,” Governor Cuomo said. “We’re also going to undertake a full survey of antibody testing for transit workers, who have been on the front lines of this crisis. We’ve said thank you to our essential workers thousands of times but actions speak louder than words, and we want them to know that we’re doing everything we can do to keep them safe.”
A regional breakdown of the results is below:
The Governor also announced that the state will distribute over 7 million more cloth masks to vulnerable New Yorkers and essential workers across the state. The masks will be distributed as follows:
500,000 for NYCHA residents
500,000 for farm workers
1 million for vulnerable populations, including the mental health and developmental disabled communities
500,000 for homeless shelters
2 million for elderly New Yorkers and nursing homes
1 million for faith-based organizations and food banks
2 million for grocery stores, supermarkets and food delivery workers
The Governor also announced the state is distributing $25 million to food banks across the state through the Nourish New York Initiative. The Nourish New York initiative, announced earlier this week by Governor Cuomo, is working to quickly reroute New York’s surplus agricultural products to the populations who need them most through New York’s network of food banks.
Funding will be distributed as follows:
New York City Region: $11 million
Westchester Region: $1 million
Long Island Region: $1.6 million
Capital/Hudson Valley Region (includes portion of North Country and Mohawk Valley): $4.4 million
Central NY Region (includes portion of North Country and Mohawk Valley): $2.2 million
Southern Tier Region: $1.1 million
Western New York Region: $2.1 million
Finger Lakes Region (includes portion of Southern Tier): $1.7 million
Finally, the Governor confirmed 4,663 additional cases of novel coronavirus, bringing the statewide total to 312,977 confirmed cases in New York State.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 May 2020 at 5:43 pm
ALBION – There are two more cases of Covid-19 at The Villages of Orleans Health and Rehabilitation Facility in Albion, the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments is reporting this afternoon.
That brings the total confirmed cases among residents to 51 at the 120-bed facility. Orleans County also now has 98 confirmed cases of coronavirus, with more than half at The Villages.
There aren’t any new confirmed cases to report today in Genesee County. That county has had 150 confirmed cases of Covid-19.
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 in a news release.
The local public health departments offered this advice for residents: “We continue to encourage our residents to be vigilant about handwashing, cleaning frequently used surfaces, properly wearing cloth face coverings over the mouth and nose, keeping your hands away from your face, limiting time out in public and when you do need to go out for essentials you designate one person from your household, keep social distancing and stay home if you are sick.”
