By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 May 2020 at 6:46 pm
Orleans County is reporting is worst day yet of the Covid-19 pandemic with 23 new confirmed cases and five deaths from the coronavirus.
The 23 new cases bring the county’s total cases to 194. That is more than neighboring Genesee County, which didn’t have any new confirmed cases today and remains at 178.
Genesee is more populous than Orleans, 57,280 residents compared to 40,352, according to the 2019 Census.
In Orleans, the majority of the cases are at nursing homes – 112 out of 194. Today’s report from the health department shows 22 new cases at Orchard Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Medina. That 160-bed nursing home now has had 25 confirmed cases. The health department is also reporting four residents at Orchard have died from Covid-19.
The Villages of Orleans Health and Rehabilitation Center in Albion doesn’t have any new confirmed cases and remains at 87. However, one resident passed away from the virus, bringing the total deaths at The Villages to 23 from Covid-19.
In Genesee County, none of the nursing homes have any confirmed cases of Covid-19.
Paul Pettit, the public health director in Orleans and Genesee, said he expects the nursing home numbers will continue to rise because of a state mandate require testing of all residents, and twice-w-week testing of nursing home staff.
That testing will allow the nursing home operators to more quickly identify residents with the virus, and move them away from non-positive residents.
The health department provided additional information on the 23 new confirmed cases. One is a Ridgeway resident and the others live at Orchard Rehab and Nursing Center.
Of the new positive cases, one individual is in the 20s, three are in their 50s, three are in their 60s, six are in their 70s, seven are in their 80s and three are in their 90s.
The health department is also reporting two more recoveries from Covid-19 in Orleans County, bringing the total to 59. Genesee has three more recoveries for 112 total.
In Orleans, 15 of the total active positive cases are hospitalized.
Click here to see an online map of confirmed cases in Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties.
The facility breakdown is only showing the total positive cases from those facilities from where the health department has been notified of a positive swab for Covid-19. Facilities will be added if there is a positive case of Covid-19.
Because the local health departments don’t follow the positive cases for facilities, we cannot report any recoveries from the facilities. If a regulated facility from either of the counties is not listed, there are no positive cases of Covid-19. The local health departments do not have oversight with many regulated facilities, which may include nursing homes, correctional facilities, hospitals, etc.
More information from the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments:
• Memorial Day Weekend: As we move into the Memorial Day weekend, we would like to take a moment to remember those who fought for our freedom and have given the ultimate sacrifice, their lives.
We appreciate each of these individuals and their families who gave so much for this great nation. Even though there aren’t any public gatherings or parades, it doesn’t stop you from visiting cemeteries and monuments or have your own household time to remember our service men and women as long as you continue to social distance.
This is also the unofficial beginning of summer and we encourage people to be creative on how they can safely enjoy the great weather without putting others at risk of contracting Covid-19. Consider planting a victory garden of flowers, fruits and vegetables, go for daily hikes while social distancing, and/or start up some new hobbies.
Take time to step back and enjoy the slower pace we have found ourselves in during this pandemic. Remember to journal about how you and your family made it through these historic times. We are one day closer to making this a memory, remember this is only temporary. We can get through this together, without being so close.
• Social gatherings: According to the Governor’s Executive Orders we are still unable to have any gatherings over 10 for any reason.
For questions go to NY Forward website and the Regional Control Room (for guidance and to answer your questions: mailto:flnyf@esd.ny.gov). To file a complaint about a business, location or incident in your community you can call 1-833-789-0470 or click here.
Un-PAUSING does NOT mean we can start having social events, even outside. The Governor’s Executive Order still bans gatherings of any kind, in any location, to no more than 10 people.
• No yard/garage sales: Currently state guidelines are restricting these activities. The virus can be on items for several hours/days depending on the surface and can cause infection. People are touching the items to examine them, so it can put others at risk.
• The more socialization that occurs the higher risk of transmitting the virus, especially to those who are most vulnerable. It is imperative we still restrict social/family gatherings until we are certain to have this under control and/or there is a vaccine.
• It is expected we will see an uptick of positive cases and mandatory quarantines as social interaction increases.
• If cases increase, it shows us people may be ignoring the orders to not have gatherings of 10 or more people, not social distancing, not hand washing/sanitizing, disinfecting shared surfaces often, and/or not wearing face coverings properly.
This can also impact our ability to continue the re-opening phases. We ask that you respect the guidance and continue to social distance.
• New York State on PAUSE: NYS on PAUSE will continue until at least May 28, regarding large and social gatherings. To assist local authorities with enforcement of these orders, the Governor established the New York State PAUSE Enforcement Assistance Task Force where individuals can file complaints regarding the operation of non-essential businesses or gatherings 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Click here to file a complaint online. You may also call 1-833-789-0470.
Businesses that are not in compliance with the Governor’s executive order may be penalized.
• Masks/Face Coverings: Both counties are still low in supplies of masks. They are being distributed to high-risk agencies/businesses as prioritized and if there is a supply left over they will be distributed in an appropriate manner. County plans for releasing supplies to the public will be forthcoming as supplies become available. Additional information will be released by the respective County Emergency Management offices as appropriate.
• ROC Covid-19 Health Screener: This symptom tracker for the Greater Rochester region is a scientific study collected aggregate data by zip code to track hot spots of Covid-19. The data will potentially show how the virus may be spreading, identify areas that may be at risk and determine how our efforts are working to slow the spread. You can participate by taking the daily survey whether you are having symptoms or are feeling healthy. It just takes a few seconds. To learn more, click here.
• Contact Tracers: 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.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 May 2020 at 4:25 pm
MEDINA — A nursing home in Medina that had largely avoided an outbreak from Covid-19 has 22 new cases of Covid-19 and four deaths from the virus.
Paul Pettit, public health director in Genesee and Orleans counties, reported the cases at Orchard Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Medina.
Orchard announced one of the deaths in a letter to the community that was posted on Orchard’s Facebook page on Thursday. Pettit said the four deaths reported today include the one announced Thursday by Orchard.
The nursing home had three confirmed cases of Covid-19. But now has 22 more.
Pettit said the nursing home tested all of its residents and staff ahead of the state mandate for more testing of staff and residents. That testing showed some asymptomatic residents who were positive for Covid-19, Pettit said.
Pettit today also reported The Villages of Orleans Health and Rehabilitation Center in Albion suffered another death of a resident. The Villages has now had 23 residents die from Covid-19.
Press Release, Robert Batt, director of Cornell Cooperative Extension in Orleans County
Provided photo: There will be 1,200 boxes of produce available for free to the community on May 29 at the Fairgrounds in Knowlesville.
KNOWLESVILLE – Next Friday, May 29, we will be distributing USDA farmers-to-families produce boxes at the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds.
Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension is pleased to share that free USDA farmers-to-families food boxes are available for the public on Friday, May 29.
This is a first come, first served opportunity and there are no pre-orders or deliveries available. Distribution will begin at 10 a.m. and will end when all 1,200 boxes have been handed out.
Anyone is welcome to come and pick up a box — this is not limited to families with children. Those interested should pick up at the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds at 12690 Rt. 31 in Albion. You will not need to leave your vehicle for drive through pickup, our staff and volunteers will load into your trunk for you. If you have questions please email orleans@cornell.edu or call the Cooperative Extension at 585-798-4265 and leave a voice mail staff will monitor and respond.
Each box contains 20 pounds of assorted produce such as: Potatoes (1-5 pounds), Oranges (1-4 pounds), Apples (1-3 pounds), Onions (1-3 pounds), Green vegetables (1-3 pounds of broccoli, cabbage, green pepper, etc.), Carrots (1-2 pounds)
We are grateful for this opportunity to support the community and is thankful to the United States Department of Agriculture and James Desiderio Inc. of Buffalo for helping make this food distribution possible.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 May 2020 at 12:00 pm
The number of people filing unemployment claims in Orleans County and New York State isn’t slowing down.
The latest data from the State Labor Department show 229,562 people filed unemployment claims last week, which was more than 203,928 the previous week, ending May 9. A year ago during the same week, there were 12,097 unemployment claims in the state, about 5 percent of the number last week.
In Orleans County, 298 people filed for unemployment last week, which was up from 285 the previous week. A year ago during the same week, 30 people filed for unemployment in Orleans County, according to the state DOL.
Since the state closed and restricted many businesses due to the Covid-19 pandemic, 2,271,256 have filed unemployment claims in the state in 10 weeks.
In Orleans County, the total unemployment claims in the county is up to 3,616 in the past nine weeks. Orleans County has a workforce of about 17,000 people. The 3,616 unemployment claims represent about 21 percent of the workforce.
Here are the weekly unemployment claims the past nine weeks in the GLOW counties and statewide:
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 May 2020 at 11:12 am
Photos courtesy of Adam Krenning
KNOWLESVILLE – A bee pollinates a flower in an apple orchard this morning on Howlett Road in Knowlesville.
The weather has been perfect for pollination, an important week or so where bees spread pollen in orchards. Pollination is critical for apples and other fruit to grow.
Farmers expect some damage in the crop due to the cold weather in early May. But early indicators have apple growers optimistic there will be a good crop.
New York has about 50,000 acres of apple orchards and is the second-leading apple producing state in the country, behind only Washington. New York apple growers produce about 30 million bushels of apples a year.
Orleans is among the top apple producers in New York, trailing only Wayne County and Ulster County.
The International Joint Commission announced that it has appointed a 16-member Public Advisory Group to help identify potential improvements to the regulation of Lake Ontario outflows.
The Public Advisory Group will assist the IJC’s Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Adaptive Management Committee (GLAM) with an expedited review of Plan 2014, the plan for regulating outflows that took effect in 2017. The IJC directed the GLAM Committee to conduct the expedited review in response to public concerns over Plan 2014 following the extreme wet conditions that caused record floods in two of the first three years after the plan was adopted.
The Public Advisory Group will help the GLAM Committee seek potential improvements to regulation by contributing knowledge about water level impacts and input on the assessment methods used in the review. Public Advisory Group members have also been asked to help foster a two-way dialogue between the GLAM Committee and affected interests and constituencies. In addition to the work being done by the Public Advisory Group, the GLAM Committee will also seek broader public comment on the expedited review.
(Editor’s Note: The eight U.S. representatives on the advisory group include: John Boyce, St. Lawrence Seaway Pilots Association; Robert Cantwell, Jefferson County Legislator; Pat Davis, New York Power Authority American; Corey Fram, Thousand Islands International Tourism Council; Bernie Gigas, Greece lakeshore resident; John Peach, Save The River; David Scudder, Save Our Sodus; and Jonathan Schultz Niagara County’s emergency management director and fire coordinator.)
The GLAM Committee prioritized activities in a two-phase approach that formally began in February 2020. The first phase of the expedited review, expected to last approximately 18 months, focuses on providing information to the IJC’s International Lake Ontario-St. Lawrence River Board (Board) during this ongoing period of near-record high inflows to Lake Ontario from Lake Erie. As an initial step in the process, the GLAM Committee launched preliminary investigations in fall 2019 in order to quickly provide data that the Board could use in addressing high water conditions. These early results helped the Board set outflows more effectively in the spring of 2020.
The second phase will look at how Plan 2014 addresses extreme high and low water levels over the longer term. The GLAM Committee is responsible for providing the data, information and tools needed to support the Board in decisions on whether it should recommend adjustments to the plan. Changes to Plan 2014 would need to be approved by the IJC and agreed to by the Governments of Canada and the United States.
After funding for phase 1 was in place, the IJC asked the GLAM Committee for nominations to the Public Advisory Group from all of the interests and regions affected by water levels and flows on Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River. The Public Advisory Group will be fully involved with the deliberations in the expedited review.
The IJC was established by the Boundary Waters Treaty of 1909 to help the governments of Canada and the United States prevent and resolve disputes over use of the waters shared by the two countries. When asked by the two governments, the IJC approves projects in boundary waters, such as the Moses-Saunders Power Dam, that affect natural water levels and flows across the boundary. The IJC sets conditions and criteria that operators of the dam must meet when managing flows through the project.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 May 2020 at 9:19 pm
Photos courtesy of Kelly Dudley
BARRE – Betsy Miller presents Don Ross with a celebratory certificate this evening during a 100th birthday party in his honor. Miller presented the certificate on behalf of the Barre Betterment Committee.
Many of Don Ross’s friends and neighbors in Barre stopped by his house today on Oak Orchard Road to wish him a happy birthday. Ross is 100. There was a party for him later in the evening at his neighbors, the Van Lieshouts. The attendees wore masks and celebrated Ross from a safe social distance.
State Assemblyman Steve Hawley presents Ross with a proclamation on the Barre resident’s 100th birthday.
Ross ran a plumbing business for 40 years in Albion. His wife Bernadine A. Ross, 99, passed away March 6, 2020. She ran the office for her husband’s plumbing business.
Ross and his wife were very active in the Masonic Lodge and the Order of the Eastern Star. Ross joined the Masons when he was 22. He was a pin boy as a kid, setting up bowling pins on two lanes owned by the Masonic Lodge. The members were always good to him, and welcomed him to join the lodge as a young adult. Ross served in the local Masonic Lodge in many roles over the past 75 years.
Barre Town Supervisor Sean Pogue also presents Ross with a proclamation on behalf of the town.
Provided photo: Earlier in the day, many of Ross’s neighbors and members of the First Presbyterian Church of Albion stopped by Ross’s house to wish him a happy birthday.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 May 2020 at 8:14 pm
MEDINA — Orchard Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Medina has announced its first death from Covid-19.
The 160-bed nursing home on Bates Road in Medina has also had staff and residents test positive for Covid-19, Martin MacKenzie, the facility’s administrator, said in a letter posted on Orchard’s Facebook page.
Orchard has a separate wing for Covid-19 patients. Orchard had three residents who contracted the coronavirus, according to the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments. The new positives are in addition to the those three cases.
MacKenzie said all residents at Orchard have been tested for Covid-19, and the results are pending. All staff will also be tested by the end of the week for Covid-19.
“We are doing everything we can to ensure we stop the spread of Covid-19 within our facility, including staying in very close communication with local and state health officials to ensure we are taking all the appropriate steps,” MacKenzie said in his letter.
Orchard will continue to restrict visitors right now. However, family members and loved ones are urged to continue to reach out to Orchard residents through video chat, calling, texting and social media formats.
“We know this is a difficult time for everyone,” MacKenzie said. “We will continue to provide you with updates as they become available. Please know that we are strictly adhering to all directions from the local and state health department.”
Orchard had been largely spared from the virus compared to The Villages of Orleans Health and Rehabilitation Center in Albion, which has had 87 residents test positive for Covid-19 and 22 deaths.
MEDINA – Lab services at Medina Memoiral Hospital will re-open by appointment only on Tuesday, May 26.
The appointments will be spaced out accordingly to ensure the safety of our patients and to minimize wait times. Temperatures will be taken upon arrival and a mask will be given to each client.
Preregistration is required: please call 585-798-2000 and select option #1.
The Albion Health Center Lab also remains open for services by appointment (585-589-2273) and the Middleport Lab will be opening soon.
If you have any questions, please contact Jennifer Doran, director of Patient Registration, at 585-798-8094.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 May 2020 at 4:25 pm
There are no new cases of Covid-19 reported in Orleans County today, and one more person has recovered for the coronavirus, the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments said this afternoon.
Orleans remains at 171 confirmed cases, and now has had 57 people from the community recover from the virus. There are 17 people from the county hospitalized from the virus.
In Genesee County there is one new confirmed case, a person in the 40s from Le Roy. Genesee has now had 178 confirmed cases of Covid-19. The newly positive individual from Genesee was on quarantine prior to becoming symptomatic.
In Genesee, two people are currently hospitalized with Covid-19.
More information from the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments:
• Un-PAUSING does not mean we can start having social events, even outside. The Governor’s Executive Order still bans gatherings of any kind, in any location, to no more than 10 people.
The more socialization that occurs the higher risk of transmitting the virus, especially to those who are most vulnerable. It is imperative we still restrict social/family gatherings until we are certain to have this under control and/or there is a vaccine.
It is expected we will see an uptick of positive cases and mandatory quarantines as social interaction increases.
If cases increase, it shows us people may be ignoring the orders to not have gatherings of 10 or more people, not social distancing, not hand washing/sanitizing, disinfecting shared surfaces often, and/or not wearing face coverings properly.
This can also impact our ability to continue the re-opening phases. We ask that you respect the guidance and continue to social distance.
• No yard/garage sales: Currently state guidelines are restricting these activities. The virus can be on items for several hours/days depending on the surface and can cause infection. People are touching the items to examine them, so it can put others at risk.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 May 2020 at 3:07 pm
New York wants the public’s help in picking the winning ad that promotes wearing a mask when people are out in the community.
There were about 600 submissions for the ad contest, which has been narrowed to five finalists. Click here to see the finalists and to vote for one.
The state put out a call for ads that communicate why it is so important to wear a mask to stop the spread of coronavirus.
The winning ad will be used as a public service announcement. Voting closes May 25 with the winners to be announced May 26.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s daughter, Mariah Kennedy Cuomo, headed up the contest.
“We are so grateful to all the New Yorkers who have submitted one of the over 600 submissions,” she said.
Her father, the governor, said masks have proven to be effective in slowing the spread of the virus. He noted that frontline workers in hospitals, public transportation, EMS, law enforcement and corrections all have a lower rate of infection than the general public.
“How do nurses and doctors have a lower infection rate than the general population? How do transit workers who are on the buses and subways all day long have a lower infection rate than the general population? How does the NYPD, police officers who show up who are dealing with people all day long, how do they have a lower infection rate? How does the NYPD have almost half the infection rate of New York City? How can it be? They are the police officers,” Cuomo said.
“They are wearing the mask. The mask works. Those surgical masks work and it’s in the data. It’s not that I’m saying it. It’s in the data and it is otherwise inexplicable.”
Amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced summer school will be conducted only through distance learning this year to help reduce the risk of spread.
Meal programs and child care services for essential employees will continue. School districts must also develop a plan for students with disabilities who participate in extended summer school year programs over the summer to ensure they receive instruction.
The state will make a determination on the fall semester and issue guidelines in June so schools and colleges can start to plan for a number of scenarios. K-12 schools and colleges will submit plans for approval to the state in July.
“As we focus on reopening, schools pose unique complications – they have high density and transportation issues causing a greater risk of spread unless protective measures are fully in place,” Governor Cuomo said.
Governor Cuomo also announced the state is extending sales tax interest and penalty relief through June 22, 2020. The state previously provided relief through May 19th for returns due March 20th. This extension could provide interest and penalty relief for up to 89,000 vendors who had returns due in March. These small businesses file their taxes quarterly and annually, and have taxable receipts of less than $300,000 in the previous quarter.
The Governor also announced the state is currently investigating 157 reported cases in New York where children – predominantly school-aged – are experiencing symptoms similar to an atypical Kawasaki disease and toxic shock-like syndrome possibly due to COVID-19. The illness has taken the lives of three young New Yorkers, including a 5-year old in New York City, a 7-year old in Westchester County and a teenager in Suffolk County. To date, 13 countries and 25 other states have reported cases of this COVID-related illness in children.
“Now we have another issue that is complicating the situation even further with COVID-related illness in children,” Cuomo said. “We are continuing to study this new illness and learn more, but for now summer school will remain closed for in-class teaching and will be conducted through distance learning this year.”
The Governor also encouraged New Yorkers to call the Coronavirus Hotline at 1-888-364-3065 if they believe their employer is not following PPE, hygiene or social distancing guidelines as more businesses begin to reopen.
The Governor also reminded New Yorkers to look out for calls from “NYS Contact Tracing” and to answer those calls as the state begins to implement its contact tracing program.
Finally, the Governor confirmed 2,088 additional cases of novel coronavirus, bringing the statewide total to 356,458 confirmed cases in New York State.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 May 2020 at 11:34 am
Mark and Rose Porter’s house was damaged by blaze
Provided photo: Firefighters respond to a fire on Wednesday evening at North Main Street at the home of Mark and Rose Porter.
HOLLEY – An on-line fundraiser has been started to assist Mark and Rose Porter, whose home was damaged in a fire on Wednesday evening.
Firefighters were dispatched to the Porter residence on North Main Street at about 7 p.m. The front porch was engulfed in flames.
The Porters are active community members. Mrs. Porter works as a nurse. Mr. Porter is a past Holley fire chief. He is a member of the Holley Board of Education and works as the communications captain for Monroe Ambulance.
“Mark is a pillar of the Holley community and beyond, always willing to put his fellow man first, and himself second,” Timothy Wood wrote on the GoFundMe page for the Porters.
“Victims of fires face tremendous emotional stress and financial costs, and we hope this fund will help alleviate some of the challenges that Mark and Rose are facing as they try to move on, and rebuild their lives,” Wood wrote.
CARLTON/KENDALL – The New York State Department of Transportation today announced that following Memorial Day, the westbound lanes of the Lake Ontario State Parkway, between Route 237 and Route 98 will close for approximately one month.
The closure of the westbound lanes in Kendall and Carlton is necessary to accommodate repairs being made to the Lake Ontario shoreline, just north of the parkway, by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation.
Westbound traffic along the parkway will be detoured at the Route 237 exit and use Route 18 to continue west.
The road is expected to re-open to vehicular traffic by the end of June, though work is weather dependent and subject to change, the DOT said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 May 2020 at 9:52 am
This banner displayed by City Hall features Dell Stork, who served with the Marine Corps during the Korean Conflict. He later served as Medina’s fire chief.
MEDINA – There are banners of more than 100 “Hometown Heroes” on display in Medina.
The portraits of soldiers, some currently in the military and some going back to the Civil War, are in the downtown and have spread to some of the side streets.
Last year, was the debut of the banners with 38. The banners from last year are back and are on West Avenue with a few on North Main close to Prospect Street.
Mary Woodruff, a Ridgeway town councilwoman, has coordinated the effort the past two years. The banners are proving popular. Families or sponsors pay $200 for a banner, which has the portrait on both sides. The banners are expected to last for three years, being displayed just before Memorial Day to just after Veterans Day in November.
After three years, the families or sponsors can keep the banner, or sooner if they don’t want to do a three-year cycle.
Woodruff said that the display of 107 banners looks “spectacular” and is giving the community a needed morale boost during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“We need our spirits lifted and bringing our heroes home will do it!” she posted on Facebook.
She thanked the Medina Department of Public Works for getting the banners up this week. The Village Clerk’s Office led by Clerk Debbie Padoleski and Deputy Clerk Jada Burgess handles the money for the banners.
“I have to say this village is wonderful,” Woodruff said this morning. “This community is so appreciative of the return of the banners and featuring the heroes. Just walking around and seeing all of them, it gives me energy.”
Last year there was a banner unveiling inside the Orleans County YMCA, which used to be the Medina Armory, where soldiers trained. That reception was planned for May 16 but was cancelled due to the 10-person limit on social gatherings.
The new banners this year are in the downtown on Main Street, and East and West Center streets, and on Park Avenue. New locations have been added this year farther down on East and West Center streets, Park Avenue, Pearl Street, West Avenue and South Main Street.
Woodruff said there will be more banners next year. She wants input from Joe Perry, the DPW superintendent, on how many additional spots would be suitable for more banners. She thanked National Grid for its cooperation in allowing the banners on some of the company’s poles.
“The public is loving it,” she said about the response to the banners. “It’s building patriotism and celebrating the real heroes.”
