Genesee reports 2 more deaths for 28 since Dec. 1

There are 87 more confirmed Covid-19 cases to report today in Genesee and Orleans counties, including 26 at nursing homes in Batavia and Le Roy, the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments reported in an afternoon daily news briefing.

In Orleans County, there are 34 new positive cases of Covid, bringing the total to 1,535 positive cases since March.

The new positive cases reside in the West Region (Yates, Ridgeway, Shelby), Central Region (Carlton, Gaines, Albion, Barre) and the East Region (Kendall, Murray, Clarendon).

The individuals are in the age groups of 0-19, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s and 70s. Of the new cases, 6 were on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive.

Orleans today also is reporting 42 of the previous positive individuals have recovered and been removed from the isolation list.

There 17 Orleans County residents hospitalized with Covid, down from 19 on Tuesday.

The G-O Health Departments said 1 individual has been removed from yesterday’s total due to the person not being a resident of Orleans County.

Albion Central School reports today that three staff members have tested positive for Covid-19. Two work in the Elementary School and the other works district-wide.

They were last in school on Dec. 23. Due to the 48-hour lookback period, the Department of Health determined there was no need for contact tracing or the quarantine of additional students and staff members, the district stated on its website.

Holley Central School is reporting an elementary teacher has tested positive for Covid-19. The last day the teacher was in school was Monday.

“The health department is still processing this case and we will cooperate with them,” said Brian Bartalo, the district superintendent. “If warranted, any official decision on mandatory quarantining of students or staff members will come directly from the health department. If the health department indicates to us that there is quarantining required for the students (Red Hawks) who may have had close contact with this teacher on Monday, we will reach out to those families ASAP. In the meantime, if you don’t hear from the school district or the department of health, there’s nothing for anyone to do at this time.”

Medina Central School on Monday reported several cases from winter break. Anyone associated with these cases due to school contact has already been contacted, Mark Kruzynski, the district superintendent, said in a letter.

The positive cases include a student and a staff member in the high school, three students and one teacher in the middle school, two students and two teachers in the elementary school.

In Genesee County, 53 new confirmed cases of Covid-19 for a total of 2,759 positive cases since March.

The new positive cases reside in the West Region (Alabama, Darien, Pembroke), Central Region (Alexander, Batavia, Bethany, Elba, Oakfield) and East Region (Bergen, Byron, LeRoy, Pavilion, Stafford).

The individuals are in the age groups of 0-19, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s.

Genesee also is reporting today that 47 of the previous positive individuals have recovered and been removed from the isolation list.

Genesee has 25 residents hospitalized with Covid, up from 21 on Tuesday.

Of the new cases, 16 are residents at Premier Genesee Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation in Batavia, 7 are residents at the LeRoy Village Green Residential Healthcare Facility, 2 are residents at Genesee Senior Living in Batavia, and 1 is a resident at the New York State Veterans’ Home at Batavia.

Genesee is reporting two more deaths due to Covid, for 35 during the pandemic and 28 since Dec. 1. The deaths reported today include a resident of Genesee Senior Living and a resident at Leroy Village Green. Both of the individuals were over 65 years old.

“We will not be releasing any further information to protect the privacy of the individual and their family,” the G-O Health Departments said. “Our deepest condolences go out to the families and friends of these individuals during this difficult time.”

Hospitalizations due to Covid rise in both counties

The two counties of Genesee and Orleans are reporting 116 more confirmed cases of Covid, and both counties are seeing an increase in hospitalizations due to Covid, the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments reported this afternoon.

In Orleans County, there are 25 new confirmed cases of Covid-19 reported today, bringing the total to 1,502 positive cases since March.

The new positive cases reside in the West Region (Yates, Ridgeway, Shelby), Central Region (Carlton, Gaines, Albion, Barre) and East Region (Kendall, Murray, Clarendon).

The individuals are in the age groups of 0-19, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s.

Of the new cases, only 1 was on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive, the Health Departments reported.

Orleans also is reporting 20 more of the previous positive individuals have recovered and been removed from the isolation list.

The county has 19 residents currently hospitalized with Covid, up from 16 on Monday..

In Genesee County, there are 91 new confirmed cases of Covid-19 for a total of 2,706 cases since March.

The new positive cases reside in the West Region (Alabama, Darien, Pembroke), Central Region (Alexander, Batavia, Bethany, Elba, Oakfield) and East Region (Bergen, Byron, LeRoy, Pavilion, Stafford).

The individuals are in the age groups of 0-19, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s.

Of the new cases, 1 is a resident at the LeRoy Village Green Residential Healthcare Facility, where 90 residents have now tested positive for Covid during the pandemic.

Genesee also has 35 more of the previous positive individuals recover and be removed from the isolation list.

Genesee has 21 residents hospitalized with Covid, up from 11 on Monday and 4 last Wednesday.

Genesee also is reporting two more deaths from Covid, both nursing home residents. One was a resident of Genesee Senior Living and the other lived at Leroy Village Green Residential Healthcare Facility. Both of the individuals were over 65 years old.

Genesee has now had 26 residents die since Dec. 1 due to a Covid-related illness.

• Health Alert – People should monitor themselves for symptoms of Covid-19 if they were at Denny’s Restaurant in Batavia from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Dec. 29 or Dec. 30.

If the symptoms develop, contact a primary care provider to seek testing immediately and self-isolate until the test results are received.

Symptoms of Covid-19 include but are not limited to fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, and diarrhea.

• Vaccine Information: Limited clinics are now open for only those in the Priority Group 1A. As of this release the following are included in this group:

• All outpatient/ambulatory frontline, high-risk health care workers of any age who provide direct in-person patient care, or other staff in a position in which they have direct contact with patients (i.e. intake staff) will be eligible to receive the Covid-19 vaccine. This includes but is not limited to individuals who work in private medical practices, hospital-affiliated medical practices, public health clinics, specialty medical practices of all types, dental practices of all types, dialysis workers, diagnostic and treatment centers, occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech therapists, phlebotomists, behavioral health workers, and student health workers.

• All frontline, high-risk public health workers who have direct contact with patients, including those conducting Covid-19 tests, those handling Covid-19 lab specimens and Covid-19 vaccinations.
• Home care workers and aides, hospice workers, personal care aides, and consumer-directed personal care workers,
• Staff and residents of nursing homes, skilled nursing facilities and adult care facilities.

For Genesee County 585-344-2580 ext. 5555 or e-mail Health.Dept@co.genesee.ny.us. For Orleans County 585-589-3278 or OCPublicHealth@orleanscountyny.gov. To check eligibility, click here.

The vaccine availability is limited and determined by the state. For more information on when it will be available for the general public, keep checking the Genesee and Orleans County Health Department websites or the NYS Department of Health website.

Press Release, Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Office

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo on Monday announced the latest prioritization for New Yorkers eligible to receive the Covid-19 vaccine.

Beginning yesterday, eligibility is being expanded to include all outpatient/ambulatory front-line, high-risk health care workers who provide direct in-person patient care, as well as all public health care workers who provide direct in-person care, including those who conduct Covid-19 tests and handle lab specimens.

Beginning this week, eligibility will also be expanded to include home care workers, hospice workers, and nursing home and other congregate setting workers who have yet to receive a vaccine through the federal nursing home vaccination program.

“While we’re trying to control Covid with one hand, we’re trying to defeat it with the other and the vaccine is the weapon that will win this war,” Governor Cuomo said. “Getting this vaccine out is going to be the single greatest operation government has ever had to accomplish and we’re taking bold actions to ensure it is delivered swiftly and equitably for all New Yorkers.”

Continued Expansion of Eligibility

Under the Department of Health’s most recent eligibility guidance, beginning January 4, all Outpatient/Ambulatory front-line, high-risk health care workers of any age who provide direct in-person patient care, or other staff in a position in which they have direct contact with patients will be eligible to receive Covid-19 vaccine.

This includes, but is not limited to:

• Individuals who work in private medical practices
• Hospital-affiliated medical practices; public health clinics
• Specialty medical practices of all types
• Dental practices of all types
• Dialysis workers
• Diagnostic and treatment centers
• Occupational therapists
• Physical therapists
• Speech therapists
• Phlebotomists
• Behavioral health workers
• Student health workers

Additionally, all front-line, high-risk public health workers who have direct contact with patients, including individuals who administer Covid-19 tests, handle Covid-19 lab specimens, and those directly engaged in Covid-19 vaccinations are also eligible to receive the vaccine.

Eligibility also expands this week to include home care workers, those in the consumer directed programs, hospice workers, and staff of nursing homes/skilled nursing facilities and other congregate settings who did not receive the Covid-19 vaccination through the Pharmacy Partnership for Long-Term Care Program.

• New Efforts to Expedite Vaccine Delivery and Administration

As part of New York’s effort to further expedite the delivery and administration of the Covid-19 vaccine, a number of efforts are now underway.

New ‘Am I Eligible?’ App

New York State has launched a new ‘Am I Eligible ” app to help New Yorkers determine their eligibility, connect them with administration centers, and schedule appointments. To access the app, as well as find the latest information concerning the vaccine and its administration, click here.

Supplemental Support for Federal Nursing Home Vaccination Program

Currently, 611 facilities in New York have enrolled in the federal government’s Nursing Home Vaccination Program, in which staff and residents receive vaccinations through a partnership with pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens.

According to the latest data, 288 facilities – or 47 percent – have completed the first dose for residents. Through state facilitation, 234 more facilities will administer the first dose this week. This will ensure that 85 percent of facilities have administered the first dose to residents by week’s end, with the remaining 15 percent to be completed over the next two weeks.

Planning for Vaccination of General Public

As the state moves closer to the vaccination of the general public, a number of special efforts are now underway to ensure resources are in place to facilitate widespread vaccination, especially in underserved communities.

First, the state will establish a number of pop-up vaccination centers to facilitate public vaccinations, similar to the state-run mobile testing centers which were established in the spring. The state is also identifying public facilities and convention centers to also be used as vaccination centers, and is recruiting retired nurses, doctors and pharmacists to support vaccine administrations.

A main focus of these efforts will also be focused on ensuring vaccine access in underserved communities and health care deserts. The state is already in the process of building Community Vaccination Kits to support these efforts and will work with public housing officials, churches and community centers to identify the most appropriate locations for kit deployments.

Each kit includes step-by-step instructions for how to set up a site, and critical supplies and equipment such as:

• Office Supplies
• Workstation Equipment
• Communications Equipment
• Cleaning Supplies
• Lighting Equipment
• PPE
• Crowd/Traffic Control Equipment
• Vials
• Syringes
• Room Dividers
• Privacy Curtains

Ensuring Accountability Within Vaccine Administration Process

The vaccine will only be effective if it is administered quickly and fairly across every corner of the state. To facilitate this, New York State Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker issued a letter to vaccine providers in recent days outlining the expectations which have been placed on providers to ensure an expedited administration of the vaccine. This included:

Any provider must use the vaccine inventory currently in hand by the end of week or face a fine up to $100,000;

Moving forward, facilities must use all of its vaccine allotment within seven days of receipt;

Providers who do not comply or are found to be seriously deficient can be subject to more serious sanctions and fines, including being disqualified from future distribution

Additionally, with fraud being a real concern of any operation this size, the Governor is signing an Executive Order stating that if any entity falsifies who or what they are, or if any entity does not follow state guidelines on vaccine eligibility, that provider will be subject to license revocation. The Governor will also be proposing legislation to make these acts criminal moving forward.

2 counties combined pass 4,000 cases in pandemic

There are 267 new confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Genesee and Orleans counties, in the first update since Thursday from the Genesee & Orleans County Health Departments. The new cases put the combined total in the two counties past 4,000 to 4,092 since March.

In Orleans County, there are 101 new confirmed cases of Covid-19 for a total of 1,477 positive cases since March.

The new positive cases reside in the West Region (Yates, Ridgeway, Shelby), Central Region (Carlton, Gaines, Albion, Barre) and East Region (Kendall, Murray, Clarendon).

The individuals are in the age groups of 0-19, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s. Of the new cases, 8 of the individuals were on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive.

Orleans also is reporting 65 of the previous positive individuals have recovered and have been removed from the isolation list.

There are 16 residents from Orleans hospitalized with Covid.

The Health Department also is reporting a resident over age 65 passed away due to Covid.

“We will not report any other details out of respect for the person and their family,” the Health Department reported. “We extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of this person during this very difficult time.”

Albion Central School reported an elementary student and elementary school staff member tested positive for Covid-19 over winter break.

“As we were not in session, the Department of Health determined there was no need for contact tracing or the quarantine of additional students and staff members,” the district stated on its website.

In Genesee County, there are 166 new confirmed cases for a total of 2,615 positive cases since March.

The new positive cases reside in the West Region (Alabama, Darien, Pembroke), Central Region (Alexander, Batavia, Bethany, Elba, Oakfield) and East Region (Bergen, Byron, LeRoy, Pavilion, Stafford).

The individuals are in the age groups of 0-19, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s.

Of the new cases, 3 are residents at the Batavia VA Medical Center, 2 are residents at the LeRoy Village Green Residential Healthcare Facility and 1 is a resident at the Premier Genesee Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation in Batavia.

Genesee also has had 141 of the previous positive individuals recover and be removed from the isolation list.

Genesee has 11 residents hospitalized with Covid.

Genesee also is reporting that 2 residents from LeRoy Village Green have passed away due to Covid. Both of the individuals were over 65 years old.

Positive rates rise in Finger Lakes Region, state-wide

New York State has passed some grim milestones this past week with 1 million cases of Covid-19 since March 1 and more than 30,000 deaths.

After 11,368 new confirmed cases were reported to the state on Saturday, the statewide count is now at 1,017,153 who have tested positive for the virus in New York.

On Saturday, there were also 138 deaths due to Covid, bringing the number of confirmed deaths in the state from Covid to 30,476 in the pandemic.

The percent of Covid tests that are positive continues to rise. The state was at 7.78 percent positive on Saturday, which was up from 7.55 percent on Friday and 7.20 percent on Thursday.

The Finger Lakes Region, which includes Orleans, topped 10 percent positivity on Friday and Saturday.

The state reported Orleans had 19 new positive on Saturday out of 212 tests, for a positive rate of 9.0 percent. The positivity rate in Orleans the past seven days is 9.3 percent, which is actually the second lowest of the nine counties in the Finger Lakes Region.

The other counties and their positive rates the past week include: Genesee is at 12.3 percent, Livingston at 10.7 percent, Monroe at 10.1 percent, Ontario at 10.5 percent, Seneca at 10.4 percent. Wayne at 9.8 percent, Wyoming at 14.2 percent, and Yates at 8.9 percent.

Press Release, Orleans County Health Department

The Orleans County Health Department and Orleans Community Health are working together to provide more rapid testing opportunities for residents.

“We have received the rapid testing Binax cards and Abbott machines and test kits through the New York State Department of Health,” stated Marc Shurtz, CEO/CIO of Orleans Community Health. “We have established a drive-through testing site at our Walk-in Care Clinic and are scheduling tests that best fits the needs of the resident.”

For patients that are exposed, have symptoms, need clearance for pre-operation, travel or nursing home visitation, we are here to assist you in getting the correct test you need. Please remember for exposure you should wait at least 3-5 days post exposure as it may be too soon to test. If you would like to speak to a provider regarding your symptoms and treatment you may schedule an audio tele-med visit for assessment and the need for testing.

“This is another opportunity for county residents to be tested as needed, and the rapid tests from NYSDOH are free,” stated Paul Pettit, Public Health Director, Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments. “Because the rapid testing supplies are provided by the State Department of Health there are no costs to those needing tests.”

“Services are limited due to staffing and testing protocol,”,” stated Nicole Helsdon, Office Manager for the Albion Walk-in Care Clinic. “We can only process a certain amount of tests per day. We ask that people be patient and call for an appointment at our office (585-589-2273) and follow the prompts. Our staff will return your call as soon as they are able to schedule your test.”

Residents are still encouraged to limit time with non-household members, wash hands frequently with soap and water / hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available, wear masks/face-coverings when out in public and keeping at least 6’ away from others in public. Limiting time in public helps to lower the spread, especially if you aren’t having friends and family to your home.

The most important thing to remember, that if you are sick with anything, please stay home. Contact your primary care provider for instructions.

Nearly 3,000 cases reported during month in Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties

This graph from the health departments in Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties shows how the cases have surged recently. Click here to see a detailed chart on cases in the three counties. This graph shows Genesee nearing the 2,500-case marker, Orleans getting close to 1,500 and Wyoming over the 1,000 marker.

December saw the biggest surge in Covid-19 cases during the pandemic in the three local rural counties of Orleans, Genesee and Wyoming.

There were 2,993 cases reported in the three rural counties that combined have about 140,000 people. Before December, there were 2,108 Covid cases in the three counties – since March.

November was a big spike, too, when the 1,133 cases in the three counties were more than the total for all three counties the first eight months of the pandemic.

But December was something else entirely. Those 2,993 cases are nearly 60 percent (58.7) of the total of 5,101 cases in the three counties since March.

All three counties saw a major uptick in cases in December, with Genesee the hardest hit with 1,495 new cases and 22 deaths. Orleans was up by 753 cases and Wyoming by 745.

The three counties, from March through October, had 975 Covid cases combined. At the end of November, the combined cases was at 2,108 and is now at 5,101 after Dec. 31.

Orleans was the hardest hit by Covid in cases – before November. In Orleans the cases were driven by an outbreak in the spring at two nursing homes, which combined had 147 cases by late June. In Late October, Orleans had the most of the three counties with 399 cases, followed by 375 in Genesee and 201 in Wyoming.

But the cases have really taken off in Genesee in November and December. Genesee has had 2,070 Covid cases the past two months.

Here is a monthly breakdown of the Covid cases and deaths in the three counties.

Orleans County (population: 40,352)

First case reported on March 18.

March – 6 cases, 0 deaths (6 cumulative cases, 0 deaths)

April – 89 cases, 11 deaths (95 cumulative, 11 deaths)

May –  126 cases, 25 deaths (221 cumulative, 36 deaths)

June – 45 cases, 18 deaths (266 cumulative, 54 deaths)

July – 10 cases, 1 death (276 cumulative, 55 deaths)

August – 12 cases, 0 deaths (288 cumulative, 55 deaths)

September – 29 cases, 0 deaths (317 cumulative, 55 deaths)

October – 82 cases, 0 deaths (399 cumulative, 55 deaths)

November – 224 cases, 2 deaths (623 cases cumulative, 57 deaths)

December – 753 cases, 5 deaths (1,376 cases cumulative, 62 deaths cumulative)

Genesee County (population: 57,280)

First case reported on March 17

March – 13 cases, 1 death (13 cumulative cases, 1 death)

April – 136 cases, 2 deaths (149 cumulative, 3 deaths)

May – 37 cases, 1 death (186 cumulative, 4 deaths)

June – 40 cases, 1 death (224 cumulative, 5 deaths)

July – 32 cases, 0 deaths (256 cumulative, 5 deaths)

August – 23 cases, 0 deaths (279 cumulative, 5 deaths)

September – 30 cases, 0 deaths (309 cumulative, 5 deaths)

October – 66 cases, 0 deaths (375 cumulative, 5 deaths)

November – 579 cases, 2 deaths (954 cumulative, 7 deaths)

December – 1,495 cases, 22 deaths (2,449 cumulative, 29 deaths)

Wyoming County (population: 40,085)

First case reported March 17

March – 8 cases, 1 death (8 cases cumulative, 1 death)

April – 60 cases 4 deaths (68 cases cumulative, 5 deaths)

May – 12 cases, 0 deaths (80 cases cumulative, 5 deaths)

June – 9 cases, 0 deaths (89 cumulative, 5 deaths)

July – 18 cases, 0 deaths (107 cases cumulative, 5 deaths)

August – 12 cases, 0 deaths (120 cases cumulative, 5 deaths)

September – 12 cases, 0 deaths (132 cases cumulative, 5 deaths)

October – 69 cases, 0 deaths (201 cases cumulative, 5 deaths)

November – 330 cases, 3 deaths (531 cases cumulative – including 87 inmates in state prisons – 8 deaths)

December – 745 cases, 11 deaths (1,276 cases cumulative, including 142 inmates at state prisons, 19 deaths)

Source: Orleans Hub research, local health departments for cases and deaths, Census Bureau 2019 estimates for population

In the final day of 2020, the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments reported 109 new confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the two counties, bringing the total to 3,825 in the two counties since March.

Orleans County received 34 new positive cases of Covid-19 for a total of 1,376 cases since March.

The new positive cases reside in the West Region (Yates, Ridgeway, Shelby), Central Region (Carlton, Gaines, Albion, Barre) and East Region (Kendall, Murray, Clarendon).

The individuals are in the age groups of 0-19, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s. Of the new confirmed cases, 5 of the individuals were on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive.

Of the new cases, 2 are residents of the Orchard Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Medina.

Orleans also is reporting 24 of the previous positive individuals have recovered and been removed from the isolation list.

The county has 13 residents hospitalized with Covid, which is down from 21 on Wednesday.

A resident in the county under age 65 passed with Covid, which is the 62^nd resident to die with Covid this year.

“We are saddened to report the death of one of our community members,” the Health Departments said in a news briefing. “We will not report any other details out of respect for the person and their family. We extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of this person during this very difficult time.”

In Genesee County, there 75 new confirmed cases of Covid-19 to report today, bringing the total to 2,449 cases since March.

The new positive cases reside in the West Region (Alabama, Darien, Pembroke), Central Region (Alexander, Batavia, Bethany, Elba, Oakfield) and East Region (Bergen, Byron, LeRoy, Pavilion, Stafford).

The individuals are in the age groups of 0-19, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s.

The county also is reporting today that 83 of the previous positive individuals have recovered and been removed from the isolation list.

Genesee has 7 residents hospitalized with Covid, up from 4 on Wednesday.

Of the new cases, 4 are residents at LeRoy Village Green Residential Healthcare Facility.

Correction: Please note there was a miscount for reporting the deaths yesterday. There are 29 Covid-19 related deaths in Genesee County, not 30.

Message from the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments: Please note the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments will be closed for the New Year’s Day holiday and will not be updating data until Monday afternoon. We thank each of you for your encouragement, assistance, diligence during this very extraordinary year.

We look forward to continuing to provide updated health information and wish each of you a safe, healthy and Happy New Year! We encourage everyone to limit their time in public and to celebrate virtually with family and friends who don’t live with you.

The public health director in Orleans and Genesee counties acknowledged a delay in contact tracing due to an overwhelming caseload for the state’s contact tracers.

Paul Pettit, the public health director for the two counties, urged those who are close contacts with people who test positive to begin self quarantining right away, and not wait to be reached by contact tracers.

The state’s tracers aren’t connecting with people often until four or six days after they have been identified as close contacts, Pettit said this morning on a Zoom conference call with reporters.

The local public health departments in Orleans and Genesee will do the initial case investigations to determine close contacts. They then hand off the contact tracing to the state.

But the state has been overwhelmed with surging caseloads locally, regionally and state-wide, Pettit said.

The local health department staff were doing the case investigations and contact tracing when there were only a few new cases each day.

But the cases have gone up dramatically recently. In Orleans County, there are 719 new cases so far in December, an average of 24 new cases a day. There were 623 cases the first nine months of the pandemic in Orleans.

In Genesee, there have been 1,420 new cases so far in December, an average of 47 new cases a day. There were 954 cases in Genesee the first nine months of the pandemic.

Pettit stressed for people to self isolate if they have been identified as a close contact. If they don’t have symptoms for 10 days, they can end the quarantine.

“The message I want to put out there is to start quarantining,” Pettit said.

The number of flu cases is down significantly locally and state-wide so far this flu season.

There were 304 flu cases reported statewide in the week ending Dec. 19, compared to 5,297 during the same week last year.

Locally, Orleans County has two reported flu cases so far this season, compared to 266 this time a year ago.

Genesee County also has two reported flu cases 12 weeks into the flu season, compared to 598 during the same time period in 2019.

Wyoming County has six reported cases, compared to 454 a year ago by the third week of December.

The data is available online through the State Department of Health (click here).

The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments encourage people to get a flu shot now to build up immunity.

“Once you have the flu vaccine, if you do get the flu, research shows that the vaccination reduces the risk of severe illness,” the Health Departments said. “Getting a flu vaccine can save healthcare resources for the care of patients with Covid-19 and other illnesses.”