Press release
Click below to view the Genesee and Orleans County online map of confirmed cases
https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/5f8401b0516247b490934303e3975e49/
SITUATIONAL UPDATE
New Cases
· As of 2:00 p.m. 4.28.2020
o Genesee County received 2 new positive cases of COVID-19 for a total of 148 positive cases
§ One of the individuals resides in Batavia and one of the individuals resides in Alabama.
§ One individual is in their 30’s and one individual is in their 70’s.
§ One of the newly positive individuals was on quarantine prior to becoming symptomatic.
§ 1 of the previous positive cases has recovered and has been released from mandatory isolation.
§ 3 of the total active positive cases are hospitalized.
§ 1 of the total active positive cases is at a non-hospital regulated facility.
o Orleans County received 5 new positive cases of COVID-19 for a total of 86 positive cases
§ One of the individuals resides in Barre, one of the individuals resides in
Murray and one of the individuals resides in Albion.
§ Two of the positive cases were from The Villages of Orleans Health & Rehab Facility.
§ One individual is in their 20’s, two individuals are in their 30’s, one individual is in their 50’s, and one individual is in their 90’s.
§ 2 of the previous positive cases have recovered and have been released from mandatory isolation.
§ 6 of the total active positive cases are hospitalized.
§ We received word that 2 more residents from The Villages of Orleans have passed away. Our sincere condolences to the family and friends of these individuals during this difficult time.
· The NYS Health Department will partner with the State’s Attorney General to investigate nursing home violations. A hotline or online form can be submitted where residents, families, or members of the public can share complaints about nursing homes that have not provided required communications with families about COVID-19 diagnoses or fatalities, nursing home abuse and neglect including failure to follow rules to keep residents safe. The hotline number is 833-249-8499 or click the link for the online form: https://ag.ny.gov/nursinghomes
OPERATIONAL UPDATES
· Prepping for Re-opening Our Region: Although there currently isn’t any guidance on when WNY will be allowed to re-open, we are optimistic we will have guidance soon and encourage everyone to be prepared in our preparations with our goal to protect the health and safety of our residents. Conditions will be monitored to limit and lessen (mitigate) any rebounds or outbreaks by restarting a phase or returning to an earlier phase, depending on the severity to protect the most vulnerable.
Re-opening will be data driven to determine the viability of the process. If there is a sharp increase of positive swabs and antibody results we need to determine if it is related to increased testing, lack of following guidance or a combination of the two.
o For everyone: Wearing Masks and Social Distancing is paramount to preventing flare-ups and mini-outbreaks. Everyone needs to be compliant. Correctly wearing cloth masks (covering the mouth and nose) is part of a multi-prong approach to stop/slow the spread of COVID-19. We know wearing a face covering is inconvenient and uncomfortable, but it can limit transmission of respiratory germs. The mask traps the droplets before they spread into the environment.
Remember wearing a face covering helps to protect others from your potential germs. ‘My mask protects you, and your mask protects me!’ Wearing masks is a way of strengthening social distancing.
§ Minimize non-essential travel and adhere to CDC guidelines regarding isolation following travel. Contact and follow the advice of your medical provider.
Continue the following:
· Continue frequent handwashing / hand sanitizing if soap and water
are not available.
· Continue frequent sanitizing / cleaning of shared surfaces.
· Continue Social Distancing – staying 6’ away from others (non-household members).
· Continue wearing face coverings.
· Stay HOME if you are sick!
o For all businesses: Develop a plan to limit the risk of infection of employees and the public. Monitor workforce for symptoms, do not allow symptomatic people to physically return to work until cleared by a medical provider. If possible continue to encourage telework whenever possible.
§ The Health Department encourages stores and businesses to set guidelines that include not allowing patrons to enter if they are not wearing a face covering or wearing it correctly (covering the mouth & nose). For those who cannot wear masks for legitimate breathing issues, ask someone to run errands for you or call ahead to see if you can have door to car delivery. Make sure proper signage noting your policy is visible to patrons.
§ Close common area where personnel are likely to congregate and interact or enforce strict social distancing protocols.
§ Ensure 6 foot buffer zones when dealing with the public. Prioritize online payments over cashiers when possible.
§ Provide handwashing / hand sanitizing stations for employees and the public.
§ Consider making properly worn face coverings (covering the mouth and nose) for staff and customers. For those unable to wear masks due to legitimate breathing issues, reassign them so they don’t interact with the public or have close contact with fellow workers.
§ Review your sick leave policy and enforce it so no one exhibiting symptoms is allowed to report for duty. If someone becomes ill at work, have disinfecting protocol in place to clean the area the employee has been in.
· 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.
· 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. https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/covid-19-testing
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:
o Care + Crisis Helpline is available 24/7 at 585-283-5200 or text ‘Talk’ to 741741
o 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 victim 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.
NEW YORK STATE RESTRICTIONS / GUIDANCE
· Phase Two of the State’s Antibody Testing Survey: Preliminary results show 14.9% of the population have COVID-19
· New Yorkers who have recovered from COVID-19 are encouraged to donate blood.
Here’s information on how to donate or for the American Red Cross Donation Program
https://nybc.org/donate-blood/convalescent-plasma/convalescent-plasma-covid-19-donor-request-form/
https://www.redcrossblood.org/donate-blood/dlp/plasma-donations-from-recovered-covid-19-patients.html
· Complaints regarding businesses are being referred to the State Department of Labor via online form https://labor.ny.gov/workerprotection/laborstandards/coronavirus-complaints.shtm or phone:
1-822-789-0470.
· New York State on PAUSE: 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. https://mylicense.custhelp.com/app/ask 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.
COVID-19 RELIABLE SOURCES
· New York State Department of Health – https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/home
· CDC – https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
· Genesee County Health Department – https://www.co.genesee.ny.us/departments/health/coronavirus_2019/index.php
· Orleans County Health Department – https://orleanscountyny.com/departments/publichealth/covid-19/
· NY State of Health –https://nystateofhealth.ny.gov/
· If you believe an employer is violating either existing labor laws or recently issued by Governor Andrew Cuomo, please contact the NYS Attorney General’s office at (212) 416-8700 or
Labor.Bureau@ag.ny.gov
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