By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 31 March 2020 at 10:49 am
Niagara County has 51 confirmed cases of Covid-19, including two 1-year-old children.
Daniel Stapleton, Niagara County Public Health Director, shared the update on Monday.
The department has a map (click here) showing the municipalities and the number of cases within the town, city or village borders.
There has been one confirmed case in the eastern Niagara towns by the Orleans border – the towns of Royalton, Hartland and Somerset. (That one case is a Somerset resident).
Niagara’s other cases include 6 in the City of Lockport, 2 in the Town of Porter, 2 in Newfane, 6 in the Town of Lockport, 1 in Cambria, 3 in Pendleton, 8 in City of North Tonawanda, 10 in Wheatfield, 1 in the Town of Niagara, 4 in Town of Lewiston and 12 in the City of Niagara Falls.
Among the 51 COVID-19 positives, 44 are in isolation and 7 have recovered, the Health Department reported.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 March 2020 at 4:23 pm
Orleans has 1 more confirmed case of coronavirus for 5 total
Genesee County has its first death from the coronavirus, Public Health Director Paul Pettit said this afternoon. The person is over 65 and had been hospitalized for about two weeks and had other health issues.
Pettit said he isn’t going into more detail out of respect for the privacy of the person and family.
Pettit and Shelley Stein, chairwoman of the Genesee County Legislature, both expressed their condolences to the person’s family.
Genesee County also has three more Covid-19 cases, bringing its total to 12, while Orleans has one more case for five total. The latest confirmed case in Orleans is a person over age 65 from the central part of the county.
Quarantine data
• Orleans County: 5 people are under precautionary quarantine, 9 people are under mandatory quarantine, and 5 people are under mandatory isolation 2 of whom are hospitalized and 3 are recovering at home (one out of county).
• Genesee County: 13 people are under precautionary quarantine, 37 people are under mandatory quarantine, and 11 people are recovering under mandatory isolation at home.
Cumulative Data
Genesee County has received 122 negative test results and Orleans County has received 87 negative test results for COVID-19.
These negative tests give a good indicator of what’s going on in the community, the Health Department said.
The flu also continues to be prevalent with 7 new cases in Orleans and 9 in Genesee for the week ending March 21.
“This data continues to show a high number of respiratory illness in our counties is not Covid-19,” the Health Department said.
Photo by Tom Rivers: A sign for the First Presbyterian Church of Albion encourages people to stay home.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 March 2020 at 9:07 pm
President Donald Trump announced today that he will be extending federal guidelines for social distancing until April 30. Those guidelines, intended to slow the spread of the coronavirus, were due to expire on Monday. The president put them in place originally for 15 days.
More than 2,000 people affected by the virus in the United States have died, including nearly 1,000 in New York State.
The President’s Coronavirus Guidelines for America
• Listen to and follow the directions of your state and local authorities.
• If you feel sick, stay home. Do not go to work. Contact your medical provider.
• If your children are sick, keep them at home. Do not send them to school. Contact your medical provider.
• If someone in your household has tested positive for the coronavirus, keep the entire household at home. Do not go to work. Do not go to school. Contact your medical provider.
• If you are an older person, stay home and away from other people.
• If you are a person with a serious underlying health condition that can put you at increased risk (for example, a condition that impairs your lungs or heart function or weakens your immune system), stay home and away from other people.
Do Your Part to Slow the Spread of the Coronavirus
• Even if you are young, or otherwise healthy, you are at risk and your activities can increase the risk for others. It is critical that you do your part to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
• Work or engage in schooling from home whenever possible.
• If you work in a critical infrastructure industry, as defined by the Department of Homeland Security, such as healthcare services and pharmaceutical and food supply, you have a special responsibility to maintain your normal work schedule. You and your employers should follow CDC guidance to protect your health at work.
• Avoid social gatherings in groups of more than 10 people.
• Avoid eating or drinking at bars, restaurants, and food courts — use drive-thru, pickup or delivery options.
• Avoid discretionary travel, shopping trips and social visits.
• Do not visit nursing homes or retirement or long-term care facilities unless to provide critical assistance.
Practice Good Hygiene
• Wash you hands, especially after touching any frequently used item or surface.
• Avoid touching your face.
• Sneeze or cough into a tissue, or the inside of your elbow.
• Disinfect frequently used items and surfaces as much as possible.
Press Release, Orleans and Genesee County Public Health Departments
One more resident in Genesee County tested positive for Covid-19 since yesterday afternoon, stated Paul Pettit, Public Health Director of Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments.
“This now brings the official total to 8 positive cases in Genesee County,” Pettit said. “Orleans County remains the same with 4.”
The individual who tested positive in Genesee County is under the age of 65 and resides in the central part of the county. The person is at home in mandatory isolation. The Health Department is reaching out to people the person has been in close contact with recently.
Genesee and Orleans County health officials emphasize that the public should take precautions against the spread of the coronavirus. Practice social distancing and wash your hands often.
If you are sick with any illness, the best way to keep it from spreading is to stay home! If you have a fever, cough and/or trouble breathing, please call your health care provider for an assessment of your symptoms. For general questions in regard to COVID-19, please contact the NYS COVID-19 Hotline at: 1-888-364-3065 or click here to ask a question electronically.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 March 2020 at 5:23 pm
Paul Pettit, Public Health director in Orleans and Genesee counties, speaks at the Orleans County Legislature chambers this afternoon. This image is from a computer screen. The meeting was online through Zoom.
Genesee County now has three more confirmed cases of Covid-19, bringing the county’s total to 7, while Orleans County doesn’t have any new cases to report today, keeping the county at 4 confirmed cases.
Paul Pettit, the Public Health director for the two counties, shared the update during an on-line conference with local reporters at 4 p.m.
In Genesee, two of the new cases are people over age 65 in the central part of the county, while the third is under age 65 in western Genesee.
Pettit said the Health Department isn’t giving more information about the peoples’ ages, what town they live in or their gender, even though some in the community have asked for more specifics.
“Respect / Social Responsibility / Fear mongering / Consequences – A reminder Genesee and Orleans Counties are small counties where just about everyone ‘knows your name,’ with that in mind the Health Departments are mandated to adhere to HIPAA regulations therefore we are not releasing potential identifying information of anyone who is under our care,” the Health Department said in a news advisory.
The relevant information, Pettit said, is there is community spread of the virus. If people develop symptoms of a respiratory illness, they should stay home and call a doctor’s office.
People in general should maintain social distancing when they are in public, staying at least 6 feet away from others.
“Talking about who has or hasn’t been tested, is sick or sharing rumors about anything COVID-19 is increasing anxiety in many people,” according to the advisory from the Health Department. “Be respectful and stay home as much as possible. It is safe to go outside or for a ride, but be mindful to keep at least 6’ distance between other people.”
Cumulative Data
Genesee County has received 75 negative test results and Orleans County has received 74 negative test results for COVID-19.
People seeking those tests had symptoms. Some of them had the flu.
Pettit said the flu remains prevalent in the community, with eight new cases in Orleans and 22 new cases in Genesee, for the week ending March 14.
“This data continues to show a high number of respiratory illness in our counties is not COVID-19,” Pettit said.
• Orleans County: 6 people are under precautionary quarantine, 8 people are under mandatory quarantine, and 4 people are under mandatory isolation – 1 of whom is hospitalized and 3 are recovering at home (one out of county).
• Genesee County: 17 people are under precautionary quarantine, 34 people are under mandatory quarantine, and 4 people are recovering under mandatory isolation at home and 3 person are under mandatory isolation and are hospitalized.
Clearance Protocol
Currently, the Health Department says the NYS clearance protocol for discontinuation of mandatory isolation for persons with confirmed COVID-19 is the following: it has been at least 7 days since the initial positive test for COVID-19, at least 3 days without fever and no use of fever-reducing medication, improvement in the signs and symptoms of the illness and 2 negative swabs at least 24 hours apart.
“Swabbing through the Health Departments is warranted as part of our quarantine/isolation protocol for those who become symptomatic,” the Health Department said in a news advisory. “We are not providing community testing at this time. We will be announcing further information on this as local capacity increases.”
Be careful what you flush
Toilet Paper: A reminder that flushing non-traditional toilet paper, such as tissues, paper towel, baby wipes and more will more than likely cause plumbing issues, the Health Department said.
“On-site septic systems and public sewers are not built to handle these types of materials and will cause problems,” the Health Department said. “If you are using non-traditional products as toilet paper, they are to be thrown in the trash receptacles.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 March 2020 at 4:10 pm
Both counties now have 4 confirmed cases of coronavirus
The Public Health Department in Orleans and Genesee counties reported more local cases of COVID-19, with one more in Orleans and 2 new confirmed cases in Genesee County.
• Orleans: The new positive case is under the age of 65 and is a resident of the central part of the county. This individual is being isolated in an adjacent county, said the Health Department.
• Genesee: One positive case is under the age of 65 and resides in the central part of Genesee County. The second positive case is over the age of 65 and also resides in the central part of the county. Based on the ongoing investigation, these cases are not connected. These two individuals are under mandatory isolation and are in the hospital.
Cumulative Data
• To Date: Genesee and Orleans have each received 61 negative test results for COVID-19.
• Orleans County: 6 people are under precautionary quarantine, 8 people are under mandatory quarantine, and 4 people are under mandatory isolation 1 of whom is hospitalized and 3 are recovering at home (one out of county).
• Genesee County: 18 people are under precautionary quarantine, 26 people are under mandatory quarantine, and 2 people are under mandatory isolation at home and 2 people are under mandatory isolation and are hospitalized.
“As a reminder, we are asking our community members to practice social distancing and stay home whenever possible to control the spread of this virus,” said Paul Pettit, Public Health director for the two counties.
Press release, Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse
Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse remains open during the COVID-19 pandemic with modifications in place to protect the health of patients and staff.
“We are open and providing treatment services in Albion and Batavia,” Executive Director John Bennett said. “Group sessions have been cancelled, but we are still accepting appointments for individual counseling sessions or phone sessions.”
Bennett advised patients to call their GCASA counselor for further information, noting that tele-practice sessions are being set up to eliminate any exposure.
“It is also important to note that GCASA’s methadone clinic is the first of its kind to provide medication outside, something that’s being modeled at other agencies in the state,” Bennett said.
Residential services continue, again with preventive measures in place, and although Recovery Station on Clinton Street Road is temporarily closed to the public, it is being made available for GCASA’s Atwater House residents.
GCASA Prevention Department group programs, such as the DWI Victim Impact Panel and Children of Addiction Support Groups, have been cancelled for the time being.
Prevention Director Shannon Ford and her staff are working on creative ways to advance prevention messaging via social media and through the school districts.
Bennett said all staff are adhering to the coronavirus protocol during the crisis, with many being able to work remotely to decrease the number of people on site.
He encourages everyone to protect themselves and their loved ones by doing the following:
• Washing your hands frequently with soap and warm water and/or alcohol-based hand sanitizer;
• Maintaining social distancing, keeping at least six feet between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing;
• Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth;
• Practicing respiratory hygiene by covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Then dispose of the used tissue immediately;
• Seeking medical care early if you have fever, cough and difficulty breathing.
Press Release, Orleans and Genesee Public Health Departments
Genesee County has one new confirmed case of coronavirus, while Orleans remains at three cases, according to the Orleans and Genesee County Health Departments.
The positive case in Genesee County is under the age of 65 and resides in the central part of Genesee County. The individual is under mandatory isolation and is recovering at home, said Paul Pettit, Public Health director for the two counties.
Contact tracing has been initiated for the new case. Known contacts have already been placed under mandatory quarantine and will be swabbed if indicated (if symptoms present). If a person is identified as a contact, they will be notified by the Genesee County Health Department.
Since the onset of testing, Genesee County has received 49 negative test results while Orleans has 52 negative test results for COVID-19.
• Orleans County: 6 people are under precautionary quarantine, 7 people are under mandatory quarantine, and 3 people are under mandatory isolation – 1 of whom is hospitalized and 2 are recovering at home.
• Genesee County: 18 people are under precautionary quarantine, 16 people are under mandatory quarantine, and 2 people are under mandatory isolation at home where they are recovering.
• As we receive more test results, local contact tracing will continue within our departments for any positive results. The cases and stories are being built and documented. Contact tracing is initiated based on the day the identified positive case became symptomatic. Identified contacts are notified by the local health department, quarantined and if warranted, swabbed as indicated.
• Currently, NYS clearance criteria require 2 negative COVID-19 swabbing results prior to being released. Swabbing through the Health Departments is warranted as part of our quarantine / isolation protocol for those who become symptomatic. We are not providing community testing at this time.
• Please remain home if ill, with all of the directives regarding social distancing that are still be in place, especially if a person has a negative COVID-19 result it is important to limit physical contact. The flu and COVID-19 are still transmittable and people should continue to remain home and limiting contact with others. Do not be afraid of people because they may be coughing or sneezing, they may have allergies, but continue to keep your distance (at least 6 feet).
Returning Snowbirds
• Due to the number of positive cases in New York State, there are stricter guidelines in place and may be different from your winter address. All large gatherings have been canceled or postponed.
We strongly encourage anyone over 65 or those with underlying health issues to consider self-quarantine which means to limit contact with others as much as possible. Stay at home as much as possible as this age group is one of the higher-risk groups. This includes visiting the grocery store to limit exposure to any respiratory virus.
Check with your grocery store / pharmacy to see if they have special considerations for seniors and those with underlying health issues such as special hours, curbside pick-up or delivery. Monitor your symptoms and if you develop a fever, cough, or shortness of breath, call your primary care provider immediately.
If you are in need of household essentials such as groceries or prescriptions, ask a family member, neighbor, or someone in your social support network for assistance. They may be able to shop for your needs and leave the items outside your door so they do not have any physical contact with you.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 March 2020 at 4:19 pm
(Editor’s Note: This article has been corrected. The original post said one new confirmed case in Orleans County, but it’s two new cases.)
The Orleans County Health Department reported this afternoon there are two new confirmed cases of coronavirus.
The two people in the new confirmed cases both reside in the center part of the county and cases are not connected. One of the individuals is over 65 and the other is younger than 65, Pettit said.
“The contact tracing has been initiated for the new cases,” according to the Health Department. “Known contacts to these two cases have already been placed under mandatory quarantine and will be swabbed if indicated. If a person is identified as a contact, they will be notified by the Health Department.”
In Orleans County, 45 people have been tested for coronavirus and 43 of those test results came back negative. Another positive case from Orleans was a person who actually was on vacation out of state when tested positive with coronavirus.
Four people are under precautionary quarantine, 13 people are under mandatory quarantine, and 3 people are under mandatory isolation – 1 of whom is hospitalized and 2 are recovering at home, the Health Department reported.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 24 March 2020 at 12:23 pm
MEDINA – The latest restrictions ordered by Governor Cuomo in efforts to stem the spread of the coronavirus in New York State have not only resulted in local organizations having to make drastic changes in planned events for the year, but could have a negative financial effect, especially on Orleans Community Health.
At Medina Memorial Hospital, Orleans Community Health has announced the postponement of two events – a Meet and Greet with new doctors on March 25 sponsored by Community Partners, and a basket raffle in honor of the late Nancy Albanese April 2 to April 4, sponsored by a group of community members. Proceeds of the event, when it can take place, will go towards renovations and improvements in the Recovery Room, where Albanese worked for most of her 40 years at the hospital.
Heather Smith, director of the Orleans Community Health Foundation, said they are extremely busy implementing protocols to ensure they are doing their utmost to protect every resident, patient and staff member.
“In addition to these protocols, we have been asked to postpone our events and meetings for an unspecified amount of time,” Smith said.
Orleans Community Health’s “For Women Only” event on April 29 also has been postponed. That event typically includes more than 200 people and is a fundraiser for people battling cancer.
As of right now, Smith said the OCHF Annual Golf Tournament is currently scheduled for June 19, however, they are holding off on taking registrations and sponsors until they feel confident it will not be canceled. The good news is, she said, they already have a rain date of July 24.
Unfortunately, some of these protocols have cost the hospital.
“We have yet to determine the actual financial impact this will have on our bottom line,” Smith said. “It is of great concern that while we are trying to protect our community we will also suffer a huge financial burden, due to the added expense of implementing necessary precautions and regulations which are out of our control.”
The hospital is asking anyone who has the means to consider making a donation at this time to help alleviate these unforeseen expenses that could have a dramatic effect over the long run.
Anyone who can make a donation is asked to mail a check payable to Orleans Community Health Foundation, 200 Ohio St., Medina, or donate online at www.supportoch.org.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 March 2020 at 4:25 pm
34 negative tests in Orleans and 36 in Genesee
ALBION – There are no new confirmed cases of coronavirus in Orleans or Genesee counties, the public health departments said today.
Since the onset of testing, Genesee County has received 36 negative test results and Orleans has had 34 negative test results for COVID-19
The Health Department reported the following this afternoon.
• Local contact tracing continues within our departments. The cases and stories are being built and documented. Regarding the special circumstances of the Orleans positive. (That person was diagnosed while on vacation out-of-state but is believed to have contracted the virus in Orleans.)
Identified contacts have been notified and quarantined and swabbed as indicated. This patient became symptomatic out of state and is now in mandatory isolation at their residence in Orleans County. The patient was released from isolation from the state they were in, in line with that state’s clearance criteria. NYS clearance criteria is currently more restrictive and requires negative COVID-19 results prior to being released. Swabbing through the Health Departments is warranted as part of our quarantine /isolation protocol for those who become symptomatic. We are not providing community testing at this time.
• Orleans County: 4 people are under precautionary quarantine, 10 people are under mandatory quarantine, and 1 person is under mandatory isolation (this is not a new positive case). As shared last week, the department continues to explore contacts related to the case and places any further contacts on mandatory quarantine as needed
• Genesee County: 7 people are under precautionary quarantine, 20 people are under mandatory quarantine, and 1 person (positive case) is under mandatory isolation.
• Reminder as discussed last week. We are placing people on quarantine and isolation from the health department but individuals will also be asked by their provider to self-isolate if they have been swabbed until the results come back. This is very important. Number one the person is symptomatic, that’s why they’re being swabbed and secondly, we don’t want the person exposing others to illness (COVID-19 or otherwise). Please remain home if ill.
• Young people may think this won’t affect them…they can get COVID-19, they can spread it to vulnerable populations and although not as likely, they can be hospitalized and possibly die from this disease, just as they can get the flu and have complications.
Young people may also have underlying health issues they may not be aware of or if they smoke / vape, etc. they are putting themselves at higher risk of severe illness. This is why all people participate in social distancing even if they are not immune-compromised some people are going to react to this illness differently…it is not just the older folks, they do have the greater risk of dying or going to the hospital but people of any age can have severe illness. It is still important for all to help flatten the curve.
Swabbing/Partner Information
• Remember that if you are sick to call your primary care provider. If you must go to the Emergency Room or Urgent Care – call ahead so they can prepare for your arrival.
• COVID-19 swabbing/testing at the Health Departments and community is limited. If you feel you may have COVID-19, call your primary care provider or healthcare facility ahead of time. Do n Do not go directly there, call ahead to get guidance. We will be screening and focusing on our at-risk populations – elderly and immune compromised and those with underlying health issues. Primary care providers and some health systems are offering testing in both Monroe and Erie counties. We’re still waiting on more public/private labs to sign-on soon along with swabbing kits.
• Lab testing has been bogged down and sample results are coming back slower. Again this is a source of frustration for the public and us. We continue to push these unacceptable issues back up to the state.
• Due to the current limited swabbing kits, guidelines are in place for primary care providers to order COVID-19 swabbing. We will notify how and who can be tested at testing sites once we have the capability to set them up.
• Flu for the week ending March 14: Orleans had 8 flu cases that week and 257 for the season; Genesee – 22 cases of flu that week and 588 for the season. Compared to COVID-19 the risk of the flu and what many people may be experiencing is higher.
We are receiving back negative COVID-19 test results from the lab, but we are still having flu – more flu and other respiratory illness as we look at the data. Keep this in mind. Everyone should be social distancing and staying home.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 March 2020 at 3:29 pm
MEDINA – Orleans County’s only hospital will expand its capacity from 15 beds to 23, said Mark Cye, CEO of Medina Memorial Hospital.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo today signed an executive order requiring hospitals in the state to increase bed capacity by at least 50 percent. The governor urged hospitals to have a goal of increasing capacity by 100 percent so they can handle an anticipated wave of cases with people suffering respiratory infections from the coronavirus.
Cye said the Medina hospital has also modified its CMR unit, which is no longer in use, but could provide additional beds if necessary.
“If we had a large influx we could accommodate 49 beds total,” Cye said.
Medina Memorial has staffing for 25 beds and will hire more staff if necessary, he said.
“We are being proactive and are in the process of reaching out for more staff in the event we need more,” Cye said. “We have also discontinued all out-patient services and are cross training our current staff to work in other direct care areas as needed.”
Medina Memorial also is working the state and local public health departments, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for guidance to protect the health and safety of patients and staff, Cye said.
“And we are continually taking measures to limit the spread of the coronavirus In our community and to ensure we are prepared to care for those who are sick or injured,” he said.
Governor Cuomo announced today that an additional 5,707 coronavirus cases in New York State, bringing the statewide total to 20,875.
MEDINA/ALBION – General Physicians PC’s Medina and Albion offices remain open during the current COVID-19 outbreak.
In order to protect our patients and reduce chances of exposure to the corona virus we are changing some of our processes for patient visits and management.
Both Medina and Albion offices will remain open with regular office hours.
We have accelerated our adoption of telemedicine and will convert many visits to virtual visits using telephone, Skype, ZOOM or other interactive technology. Patients who require a procedure or physical examination will still come to and be cared for at the office in the usual fashion.
Dr. Madejski, Marcel Rozario ANP, Pamela Eaton ANP, Emma Leatham PA, and Pamela Eaton ANP will continue to see patients either through a telemedicine interface or in person in the office.
Dr. Madejski anticipates that 60-70% of visits can be done without coming to the office, reducing the chance of exposure of patients to healthcare workers and importantly to other patients who could potentially be carrying the virus and be a source of transmission while still asymptomatic. This is especially important for our elder patients with multiple medical issues.
Patients, as always, have options to reschedule visits but we recommend keeping regular follow-up and wellness visits as scheduled. This should keep your healthcare up to date and reduce the likelihood of problems arising due to deferral of care and testing. This is especially important for our patients with multiple chronic diseases. It will also assist in reducing the pressure to catch up with diagnostic testing and care when we return to normal in the next few weeks to months.
Due to the declaration of a National Emergency telemedicine visits are covered by insurance without any copayment. General Physicians is also able to see new patients via telemedicine without a pre-existing relationship during the crisis. Patients who have symptoms are welcome to call for guidance and help avoid additional burdens to our stressed inpatient healthcare system.
Dr. Madejski and the staff at General Physicians remain committed to helping the citizens of Orleans and Eastern Niagara Counties weather this storm and come out of it stronger.
Please call us with any questions at 585-798-3345 or 585-589-1322.
