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 Three: Restaurants & Food Service; Hotels & Accommodations
• 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.

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.

Orleans County has had more than 3,000 people file unemployment claims in the past seven weeks.

The State Department of Labor is reporting that 285 people in Orleans County filed for unemployment the week ending May 2. That brings the total unemployment claims in the county to 3,046 in the past seven weeks, since the state shut down many businesses or significantly curtailed their activities.

The 285 unemployment claims last week compares to 77 during the same week last year. State-wide, there were 197,607 unemployment claims last week, compared to 28,248 the same week in 2019. State-wide there have now been 1,837,766 unemployment claims the past two months.

Nationally the unemployment rate is 14.7 percent, the highest unemployment rate since the US Bureau of Labor Statistics started tracking the monthly data in 1948 and on par with the unemployment during the Great Depression.

Orleans County has a workforce of about 17,000 people. The 3,046 unemployment claims represent about 18 percent of the workforce. There were about 1,000 people on unemployment before the pandemic. Those people plus the 3,046 who recently filed for unemployment would put the county’s unemployment rate close to 24 percent.

Here are the weekly unemployment claims the past seven weeks in the GLOW counties and statewide:

• Genesee: 482 (May 2), 589 (April 25), 421 (April 18), 931 (April 11), 886 (April 4), 1,308 (March 28), 268 (March 21)
• Livingston: 355 (May 2), 490 (April 25), 403 (April 18), 918 (April 11), 996 (April 4), 1,338 (March 28), 227 (March 21)
• Orleans: 285 (May 2), 326 (April 25), 297 (April 18), 581 (April 11), 595 (April 4), 824 (March 28), 138 (March 21)
• Wyoming: 234 (May 2), 326 (April 25), 266 (April 18), 601 (April 11), 603 (April 4), 837 (March 28), 155 (March 21)
• Statewide: 197,607 (May 2), 222,040 (April 25), 207,172 (April 18), 399,015 (April 11), 347,573 (April 4), 369,025 (March 28), 80,753 (March 21)

‘When we do reopen schools it’s not just about reopening as they were before, it’s about building back even better than before.’ – Gov. Andrew Cuomo

Press Release, Gov. Andrew Cuomo

Amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the members of New York’s Reimagine Education Advisory Council—made up of educators, students, parents and education leaders— to help districts reimagine schools as they prepare to reopen while protecting health and safety, how virtual learning can bridge the gap, and supplement face to face education when schools reopen.

The Council – chaired by SUNY Empire State College President Jim Malatras – will be comprised of lower and higher education leaders from across the state. The list of members includes:

• Kaweeda Adams, Superintendent, Albany City School District
• Jaime Alicea, Superintendent, Syracuse City School District
• Jody Arnhold, Founder, Dance Educator Laboratory
• Melodie Baker, Director of Education, United Way of Buffalo & Erie County
• Kyle Belokopitsky, Executive Director, New York State PTA
• Meg Benke, Provost, SUNY Empire State College
• Jackie Burbridge, Parent, Suffolk County
• Katie Campos, Partner, Strategic Collective
• Anthony Collins, President, Clarkson University
• Stephanie Conklin, Master Teacher, South Colonie Central School District
• George Dermody, CEO, The Children Home of Wyoming Conference
• Karol Mason, President, John Jay College of Criminal Justice
• Austin Ostro, President, SUNY Student Assembly
• Martin Palermo, Master Teacher, William Floyd School District
• Roger Ramsammy, President, Hudson Valley Community College
• Seema Rivera, President, Guilderland Central School District School Board
• Shannon Tahoe, Interim Commissioner, New York State Education Department
• Dennis Walcott, Former Chancellor, New York State Department of Education
• Randi Weingarten, President, American Federation of Teachers

“When we closed school facilities because of the COVID-19 virus, our teachers and students rose to the occasion, and we owe them a debt of gratitude for their heroic work,” Governor Cuomo said. “Like everything else, when we do reopen schools it’s not just about reopening as they were before, it’s about building back even better than before. The collective expertise and experience of this new advisory council will help answer key questions about how we can strengthen New York’s entire education system for decades to come.”

The Council will work in collaboration with other experts and stakeholders including the state and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to answer key questions about what education should look in the future using new technologies and to develop a blueprint to reimagine education in the new normal.

Press Release, Gov. Andrew Cuomo

Amid the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the state will extend the window for victims to file otherwise time-barred cases under the Child Victims Act for an additional five months until January 14, 2021.

Last year, Governor Cuomo signed the Child Victims Act to ensure survivors of childhood sexual abuse have a path to justice, including the ability to file a case which had already been time-barred or expired, but only for one year. That window to file an expired or time-barred case was set to close August 14, 2020, but the Covid-19 pandemic has caused a reduction in court services that has limited survivors’ ability to file claims and effectively prepare their cases with an attorney.

The governor also announced that dozens of events are taking place across New York State over the next week to kick off the Nourish New York Initiative. The initiative, launched last week, is providing $25 million to food banks for the purchase of surplus agricultural products from New York State farms to distribute to populations who need them most.

The first event took place today on Long Island, where the Island Harvest Food Bank held a drive-through food distribution event to provide New York grown and produced products to 3,000 families impacted by the coronavirus. The state’s other food banks are each holding similar events over the next week, which are expected to help put food on the table for 20,000 households that have been impacted by Covid-19.

“Many aspects of society have been closed down or are less operational during this pandemic, and the court system is among them,” Governor Cuomo said. “Last year we passed the Child Victims Act in New York which allowed survivors of sexual abuse as children to file a claim until August. Because of the reduction in court services due to the virus, we are extending that window for an additional five months until January 14th to ensure survivors have the access to the courts that they need to file a claim and get the long-overdue justice they deserve.”

Finally, the governor confirmed 2,938 additional cases of novel coronavirus, bringing the statewide total to 330,407 confirmed cases in New York State.

Photos by Tom Rivers: Adam Johnson has this sign at 39 Problems in Albion. He looks forward to when his business can reopen.

HOLLEY – A 50-mile trip throughout Orleans County on May 16 will highlight small businesses in the community, and their tenuous condition as many have been shut down or severely limited due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Adam Johnson, owner of the 39 Problems bar and restaurant in Albion, is organizing the “Cruisin’ Main Street” event.

He welcomes all small businesses and farms to join on the ride that begins 9 a.m. in Holley at the Business Park off Route 31. (Participants are urged to arrive about 8:30 to begin lining up.)

The route will go from Holley to Kendall, along Route 18 to Carlton and then south on Route 98 to Albion. The caravan then heads west to Medina and ends in Lyndonville. Johnson expects the trip will take about 2 hours.

“I feel like a lot of the small businesses aren’t getting enough attention from Albany,” Johnson said today.

He sees Main Street business districts, which include family-owned businesses, largely shut down. Meanwhile the corporate retailers seem to be flourishing and can’t keep their shelves stocked.

“You can go to big box stores but not the mom and pop stores,” Johnson said. “It seems backwards.”

Johnson has been closed since late March. He supports the state going on PAUSE, and closing many of the businesses while the virus was spreading in the state.

But he said the state and country know more about the virus now, and hospitals are now better equipped with personal protective equipment and other supplies.

“We bought extra time,” Johnson said. “We can take precautions. We can do it safely. We have to start somewhere. We have to take the first step forward.”

Gov. Andrew Cuomo has the state on PAUSE until May 15. Some regions may be given permission to reopen in phase 1, which includes manufacturing and construction. If the number of hospitalizations and infections don’t increase, the regions can move to the next phase out of four phases.

As a restaurant, Johnson might not be given the OK until phase 3 or 4. He worries about his own income, and also for his employees. Some of them have told him they haven’t received any unemployment or a federal stimulus check. They are borrowing money from friends and family to get by.

The caravan on May 16 is intended to raise awareness about small businesses in Orleans County, and how critical they are to employing many people and providing much needed revenue for the local governments.

“Bring your car, motorcycle, truck, Jeep, tractor, whatever to show your love,” Johnson posted on Facebook on Thursday. “Small businesses, bring your work vehicle, show off who you are and what you do!”

He saw the popularity of a similar event on April 5 in Genesee County. Bruce Scofield of Scofield Roll-Off organized the Corona Convoy that included 160 truckers.

The May 16 event starts in Holley with vehicles urged to line up on Maziarz Drive in Holley. Johnson urges people to be out along the route to wave and show their support (while practicing social distancing). Participants can join for the entire 50 miles or for shorter stretches.

The route will pass by the nursing homes in Albion (The Villages of Orleans Health and Rehabilitation Center on Route 31) and in Medina (Orchard Rehabilitation and Nursing Center on Bates Road). Johnson also hopes some of the vehicle can pass by Medina Memorial Hospital. He wants to show support for healthcare workers.

Johnson is working with local officials to finalize a route for the 50-mile trip. A map will be posted soon on the 39 Problems Facebook page.

A tractor with disc equipment to get fields ready for planting heads north on Main Street in Albion on Thursday evening. Farmers are welcome to be part of Cruisin’ Main Street.

Clubs go online to stay connected, and work on projects

Provided photos: Hugh Gabalski, 13, of Byron makes a presentation on Wednesday using Zoom.

Press Release, Orleans County 4-H Program

KNOWLESVILLE – Orleans County was represented recently during the first-ever Western District 4-H Public Presentations held via Zoom.

4-Hers in the western counties of Orleans, Niagara, Erie, Wyoming, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua and Allegany were offered the opportunity to present online either May 2 or May 6. Makenzie McGrath, 12, of Medina, a member of the Abundant Harvest 4-H club, and Hugh Gabalski, 13, of Byron, a member of the Rabbit Raisers and Outback Orleans 4-H clubs, presented during the May 6 Zoom session.

Makenzie McGrath, 12, of Medina makes her public presentation on Wednesday.

Both qualified during Orleans County 4-H Public Presentations in February. The traditional face-to-face District Public Presentations event was scheduled for late March in Erie County, but was cancelled due to Covid-19 restrictions.

“4-H educators and program coordinators in the Western District met and decided to offer the Zoom option to youth,” says Kristina Gabalski, Orleans County CCE 4-H program coordinator.  “We knew it would be a learning experience for youth as well as ourselves. It was a great opportunity to learn a new technology and to gain skills in utilizing that technology.”

In all, 14 youth from throughout the Western District participated. Makenzie McGrath presented on the “History of Tap Dance,” and Hugh Gabalski presented on “Safety and Exterior Lighting Used on Law Enforcement Vehicles.”  The experience using videoconferencing was a bit strange, Hugh said.

“It was interesting, it was challenging because you were not presenting to an in-person audience,” he said.

Youth were able to present using Power Points, photos and their posters. Evaluators provided immediate feedback and encouragement during the Zoom, and  4-H participants were also able to provide peer feedback during the event, Kristina Gabalski said.

Zoom and Facebook are becoming popular mediums for continuing local 4-H programs while social distancing and other safety measures are in place, she explained.

Lydia Scharlau of Medina and her family made these masks.

“There will be a similar Zoom in early June for participants in the Horse Communications program in Region 1, which includes Orleans County,” Gabalski said. “Additionally, Region 1 in Western New York will be going online with its annual horse 4-H Hippology Contest, another first for a region-wide 4-H event.”

Hippology is the study of horses and includes horse anatomy, care, nutrition, and equipment.  4-H Hippology Contests challenge the knowledge of horse program youth and include sections on topics like horse breeds, anatomy, equipment and judging, Gabalski said.

“Erie County CCE is making Power Points with photos and questions available on their website later this month, and youth will be able to complete answer sheets which can be returned for review,” she said. “Orleans County is anticipating that seven members of our horse program will participate – four in the junior division and three in the novice division. There is also a senior division.”

Orleans County 4-H Clubs and program development committees have been gathering via Zoom to meet during this time of social distancing.

“We have a brand new 4-H Feline Club, which is meeting regularly online and planning community service projects which can be accomplished while social distancing,” Gabalski said.  “Additionally several other clubs are meeting via Zoom. Our 4-H Senior Council is meeting weekly via Zoom, which has been an opportunity for youth to experiment and learn the technology in a safe environment as well as discuss their projects and the status of 4-H events.”

‘This has been a frustrating time in many ways for our youth, but they are showing remarkable resilience.’ – Kristina Gabalski, 4-H program coordinator

Gabalski explained that in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Orleans County 4-H is remaining active and providing resources to the Orleans County community.

“We are posting educational content on our Facebook page on a daily basis, something which includes digital literacy videos featuring members of our 4-H Tech Changemakers team,” she said.  “We want the community to see the Orleans 4-H Facebook page and Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension as a resource during this time.”

4-Hers discuss a quadratic equation over Zoom.

4-H members are continuing to work on their projects. Some are sharing their animal science projects in their school Zoom classes, and others are learning new skills like making floral and herbal jellies during this time at home. Many have taken part in our effort to send hand-made cards to 4-H leaders and volunteers as well as senior citizens through the Orleans County Office for the Aging.

Orleans County 4-H has responded to the NYS 4-H Mask Task project by making face masks to be distributed to our local farmers and agricultural workers. Others are taking part in a state-wide 4-H Pen Pal program.

Additionally, members of the Orleans 4-H dog program have been sharing videos on their private Facebook page. The videos feature work that they are doing with their animals via weekly challenges which have included topics such as games 4-Hers play with their dogs and dog grooming practices.

“This has been a frustrating time in many ways for our youth, but they are showing remarkable resilience.” Gabalski said. “As events are postponed or cancelled, it has been rewarding to see our 4-H youth, families, leaders and volunteers respond in such creative and generous ways.  We are working with the Orleans County CCE Master Gardener program to promote Victory Gardens this year and hope that as the weather finally warms up, 4-Hers will consider planting a Victory Garden and document its progress. Journaling about their COVID-19 experiences is also being promoted as a valuable coping tool as well as a way to document this historical event which they are experiencing personally.”

Gabalski added that there are a growing number of programs, events and opportunities online provided by 4-H at the state level.

“This year’s forestry program is going online, for example,” she said.

The NYS Virtual Forestry Series will run at 6:30 p.m. on Saturdays, May 9 to June 6, and will include topics such as tree identification, map and compass, invasive species and forest ecology.

If anyone has questions regarding the 4-H program and current opportunities and events, please call the Orleans County CCE office at 798-4265. Staff are working remotely from home, but have access to phone messages via email.

Press Release, Oak Orchard Health

Provided photo: These two farmworkers hold masks that were donated by the National Center for Farmworker Health.

ALBION – Oak Orchard Health is thankful to be able to deliver 300 masks to local agricultural workers. The masks were donated from the National Center for Farmworker Health.

This effort was coordinated by Karen Watt, vice chairwoman of the board of directors for Oak Orchard. The delivery of the masks is being handled by Oak Orchard’s patient engagement staff.

So far Oak Orchard has delivered masks to Brightly Farms in Hamlin, Kast Farms in Albion and Zingler Farms in Kendall.  Oak Orchard will deliver more masks to other local farms.

Photo by Tom Rivers

The supermoon appears last night at about midnight. The photo was taken in Albion.

This “Super Flower Moon” was the last supermoon of the year. The supermoon won’t come until April 2021.

Supermoons are full moons that occur when the moon is within 90% of perigee – its closest approach to Earth in orbit. These moons appear brighter and bigger in the sky, as long as there aren’t clouds obscuring the view.

Sharon Gavenda sent in this photo of the supermoon this morning over the Oak Orchard River at the Bridges in Carlton.

Provided photo: FMC Middleport Plant employees, including those represented by Local 1180 of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, and plant management helped to collect and donate 750 pounds of food to the Middleport Area Food Pantry to help local residents during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Participating in the delivery from FMC are, from left: Rob Brockman, quality supervisor; Joshua Walker, maintenance manager; and Dr. Roberta Kloda, FMC Middleport plant manager.

Press Release, FMC

MIDDLEPORT – Employees at FMC in Middleport recently collected and donated nearly 750 pounds of food to the Middleport Area Food Pantry to help community residents coping with the health and economic effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Participating in the effort were FMC employees, including those represented by Local 1180 of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, and FMC plant management.

The food pantry re-opened May 4 at its new location in St. Stephen’s rectory garage at 21 S. Vernon St. FMC employees are planning a second food collection drive and delivery to the pantry for later this month.

“It is extremely important that we all work together during this difficult time to ensure those in our community who are in need have access to food,” said Dr. Roberta Kloda, FMC Middleport plant manager. “Our entire FMC Middleport team was very generous in collecting and contributing this large volume of food for distribution by the Middleport Area Food Pantry.”

Photo by Tom Rivers: A flowering tree is adds color on Main Street in Albion next to the Pullman Memorial Universalist Church.

The National Weather Service in Buffalo has issued a freeze warning from 1 a.m. to 9 a.m. tonight through Friday morning in Orleans County and much of Western and Central New York.

Sub-freezing temperatures in the upper 20s to lower 30s are expected and could damage or kill crops and other sensitive vegetation.

The high temperatures on Friday are expected to reach 42. It will be cold Friday night with temperatures falling to 30.

The Weather Service said there is a chance for snow showers on Saturday, when the high is forecast to reach 41.

Sunday should be sunny with a high near 48.

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.”

Amid the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the state’s moratorium on Covid-related residential or commercial evictions will be extended for an additional 60 days until Aug. 20.

The governor also announced the state is banning late payments or fees for missed rent payments during the eviction moratorium, and allowing renters facing financial hardship due to Covid-19 to use their security deposit as payment and repay their security deposit over time.

Governor Cuomo also announced the state’s $25 million Nourish New York Initiative has purchased food and products from more than 2,100 New York farms and provided support to nearly 50 food banks, soup kitchens and food pantries to date.

Within the next week, more than 20,000 households across the state will receive Nourish New York products. First announced by the Governor on April 27, the Nourish New York Initiative provides relief by purchasing food and products from Upstate farms and directs them to the populations who need them most through New York’s network of food banks. The state is also asking any philanthropies or foundations that would like to help the state’s food banks to contact COVIDPhilanthropies@exec.ny.gov.

“During these incredibly difficult and stressful times we must protect New Yorkers who are facing financial hardships due to Covid-19,” Governor Cuomo said. “The majority of people in the state live paycheck to paycheck, and all of a sudden the paychecks have stopped for these individuals but the rent bill keeps coming in. In March we issued a moratorium on all residential and commercial evictions, and we are going to extend that moratorium until August 20th to provide some relief to those New Yorkers who are struggling.”

Finally, the governor confirmed 3,491 additional cases of novel coronavirus, bringing the statewide total to 327,469 confirmed cases in New York State.

ALBION – The Albion Village Board has two new members with Christopher Barry and former Trustee Kevin Sheehan.

They joined the board on Friday following the resignations of Peter Sidari and Mattea Navarra. Those two stayed on the board an extra month after their terms were to expire on March 31. They stayed during a busy month of April while the Village Board finalized the village budget.

Christopher Barry

Sidari and Navarra both didn’t seek re-election. The village election was scheduled for March 18 but then was pushed to April 28 and then again to an undetermined date in June. The governor on May 1 announced the village elections would be moved to Sept. 15. His directives gave current board members the option of staying in their positions until the next election.

Sidari and Navarra opted to resign rather than stay in the positions another 4 ½ months.

Sheehan and Barry both are Republican candidates in the election. Mayor Eileen Banker asked them if they would be willing to start before the Sept. 15 election and both agreed. They were appointed to the board by Banker and trustees Gary Katsanis and Stan Farone.

Kevin Sheehan

Maurice Taylor, a candidate backed by the Democratic Party, also will be on the ballot in September. He was backed by Democrats during a caucus in January.

He said today he will decide closer to the Sept. 15 election whether he will be mounting an active campaign for the position.

Kevin Sheehan, 57, was on the Village Board for eight years and was interested in running for mayor in March 2014. But the Hatch Act derailed those plans and prompted him to step away from the Village Board. (The Hatch Act prevents a federal employee from running in a partisan election.)

Sheehan worked as a union plumber for 27 years before getting a job with the federal VA in Batavia. He was the maintenance mechanic work lead and retired on Sept. 21 after about six years.

The South Clinton Street resident said he enjoys getting involved with the inner-workings of the village government.

Sheehan has a new job as a safety compliance consultant for Safety York Solutions. The job gives him lots of flexibility, he said.

Christopher Barry, 47, works as sergeant at the Orleans Correctional Facility. He started his career as a corrections officer 16 years ago. Barry, a South Main Street resident, said he looks forward to knowing more about how the village government works. He and his wife Lisa have two children, ages 5 and 9.

Taylor, 53, of McKinstry Street retired in 2016 after 27 years as a corrections officer. Taylor and his wife Ethel raised four children in Albion. They have five grandchildren.

MEDINA – T-shirts with the message “#MedinaStrong” are selling to build community spirit during the Covid-19 pandemic and also to raise money for the Orleans Community Health Foundation.

The owners of the Shirt Factory and Canalside Tattoo have teamed up in the #MedinaStrong T-shirt campaign. They are pushing the campaign from May 6 to May 12 during National Nurses Week.

Every year from May 6 to May 12, those in the nursing profession are recognized for their commitment and expertise to the healthcare profession during National Nurses Week.

Scott Robinson of the Shirt Factory said the two businesses partnered to produce the T-shirts “to show gratitude for these front-line healthcare workers who are tirelessly working during these challenging times.”

The shirts are $20 and are available at medinastrong.com.

The “#MedinaStrong” moniker has been promoted with signs around the community. The Medina Area Partnership has promoted that hashtag in its social media posts. The Shirt Factory even created a Medina Strong cocktail.

The Shirt Factory has created a Medina Strong cocktail and Chris Kozody of the Shirt Factory drives around town with a large #MedinaStrong sign on the side of his truck.

The Shirt Factory has been closed to the public since March 21 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The business continues to host virtual cocktail parties on Facebook live. Tattoo businesses have also been closed in the state since March 21.

“For us, #MedinaStrong is a rallying cry that has moved mountains over the last month, and now we hope that it can continue to do good work by supporting a cause that is near and dear to our hearts,” Alix Gilman said.

Photo by Tom Rivers: There are several #MedinaStrong signs in the community, including this one in front of Walgreens in Medina.