Press release
SITUATIONAL UPDATE: STAY HOME; WASH HANDS; SOCIAL DISTANCING; WEAR A FACE COVERING!
New Cases
· As of 2:00 p.m. May 12, 2020
o Genesee County received 1 new positive case of COVID-19 for a total of 165 positive cases
§ The positive case resides in Batavia.
§ The positive case is in their 30’s.
§ The newly positive individual was not on quarantine prior to becoming symptomatic.
§ 0 of the previous positive cases have recovered and have been released from mandatory isolation.
§ 5 of the total active positive cases are hospitalized.
o Orleans County received 8 new positive cases of COVID-19 for a total of 142 positive cases
§ All of the new positive cases were in state-regulated facilities: 2 from The Villages of Orleans Health and Rehabilitation Center, 5 (one counted from the weekend for a total of 6) from Western NY DDSO Group Home, and 1 from Orchard Rehabilitation & Nursing Center.
§ Of the new positive cases one individual is in their 20’s, three individuals are in their 30’s, one individual is in their 50’s, one individual is in their 60’s, one individual is in their 80’s and one individual is in their 90’s.
§ Two of the previous positive cases have recovered and have been released from mandatory isolation.
§ 10 of the total active positive cases are hospitalized. Please note those in the hospital may be from the community or a state-regulated facility. We do not separate them out to protect their privacy.
§ We are saddened to report another death from The Villages of Orleans Health and Rehabilitation Center. Our deepest condolences go out to the family and friends of this individual during this very sad time.
Click below to view the Genesee and Orleans County online map of confirmed cases
https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/5f8401b0516247b490934303e3975e49/
(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.)
· Finger Lakes Region to Re-open New York’s first phase beginning, Friday, May 15, 2020. If you have questions about New York Forward and Business Re-opening use the following e-mail: https://esd.ny.gov/nyforward-faq.
Be advised the local health departments are NOT the gatekeepers in these next steps. We are NOT reviewing /approving plans and we don’t have the ability to make decisions on who is / who isn’t a part of the first phase nor have we been provided with guidance on interpreting who is and who isn’t included. We have included several links to assist with planning and contact information for your reference on how to re-open for those slated to in Phase One.
o The first phase 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. https://orleanscountyny.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/050620-Reopening-Guidance-and-Fact-Sheet-GO-Health-1.pdf for a re-opening guidance and fact sheet in response to COVID-19 developed by the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments.
For further information on the NYS Plans, https://forward.ny.gov/metrics-guide-reopening-new-york#individual-region-plans. For NY Forward, a guide to reopening New York and Building Back Better, https://www.governor.ny.gov/sites/governor.ny.gov/files/atoms/files/NYForwardReopeningGuide.pdf.
o Phased Plan to Re-open New York: https://www.governor.ny.gov/programs/new-york-forward o Business Safety Precautions:
§ Each business and industry must have a plan to protect employees and consumers, make the physical work space safer and implement processes that lower risk of infection in the business. In developing these plans, businesses will need to consider three main factors.
§ The first factor is protections for employees and customers. These include possible adjustments to workplace hours and shift design as necessary to reduce density in the workplace; enacting social distancing protocols, and restricting non-essential travel for employees.
§ The second is changes to the physical workspace, including requiring all employees and customers to wear masks if in frequent close contact with others and implementing strict cleaning and sanitation standards.
§ The last factor for businesses to consider is implementing processes that meet our changing public health obligations, like screening individuals when they enter the workplace, or reporting confirmed positives to customers. While these processes will vary from business to business, almost everyone will have to adapt, in some way or another, to our new normal.
· 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 go to: https://www.roccovid.org/index.html · New York State is seeking contact tracers. If you are interested in this position, https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/get-involved-how-you-can-help 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 for the online form: https://ag.ny.gov/nursinghomes
· 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 .
· 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.
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
o Health care workers can text NYFRONTLINE to 741741 to access 24/7 emotional support services
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.
· Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfecting for Re-opening America: https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2020-04/documents/316485-c_reopeningamerica_guidance_4.19_6pm.pdf
· 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://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: 1-833-789-0470
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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