Press release/ March 23, 2020 2:00p.m.
Chairman of the Wyoming County Board of Supervisors, Jerry L. Davis, reports: “This morning, one of the two COVID-19 residents at the Wyoming County Community Health System (WCCHS) skilled nursing facility has died. The patient had been cared for in isolation since being tested.”
From Joseph McTernan, CEO of WCCHS, “Our deepest condolences go out to the family of the resident. As we grieve, the safety of our residents, patients, staff and the community remains our focus.”
The following safety precautions have been put in place at the skilled nursing facility:
• All staff are screened including temperature prior to entering the facility
• Visitor restrictions remain in place
• All staff members continue to take aggressive infection control measures and are using personal protective equipment
New York State Department of Health epidemiology staff and Wyoming County Health Department staff continue to work with the WCCHS skilled nursing facility, providing guidance and instruction.
The source of the infections has not been determined.
The following staff members of the WCCHS skilled nursing facility will answer any questions family members may have:
• Dawn James, Administrator (585) 786–8940, Ext. 4701
• Denise Prusak, Director of Nursing (585) 786–8940, Ext. 4703
From Dr. Gregory Collins, DO, MPH, Commissioner of the Wyoming County Health Department, “All Wyoming County residents should take steps to care for yourselves, your families, friends and neighbors. These are unprecedented times for public health and we need to keep each other safe.”
Chairman Davis also said, “Countywide as of 1:00 p.m. today, there are three cases of COVID-19 confirmed. The testing figures as of Friday, March 20, 2020 at 5 pm are as follows: 39 tests have been administered by the Health Department since March 16, 2020. 18 tested negative for COVID-19, 21 tests are still pending results. When an individual is tested, they are quarantined until test results are available. If the test is positive, health officials will notify close contacts to provide instructions, including monitoring for symptom development.”
Please check the County website www.wyomingco.net for hours of operation and instructions for face to face business at essential county departments and general updates