SITUATIONAL UPDATE: STAY HOME; WASH HANDS; SOCIAL DISTANCING; WEAR A FACE COVERING!
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.
New Cases
· As of 2:00 p.m.
o Genesee County received 0 new positive case of COVID-19 for a total of 178 positive cases
§ 3 of the previous positive cases have recovered and have been released from mandatory isolation. § 2 of the total active positive cases are hospitalized.
o Orleans County received 23 new positive cases of COVID-19 for a total of 194 positive cases
§ One of the new positive cases resides in Ridgeway.
§ 22 of the new positive cases are residents of Orchard Rehabilitation & Nursing Center
§ Of the new positive cases one individual is in their 20’s, 3 of the individuals are in their 50’s, 3 of the individuals are in their 60’s, 6 of the individuals are in their 70’s, 7 of the individuals are in their 80’s and 3 of the individuals are in their 90’s.
§ Two of the previous positive community cases have recovered and have been released from mandatory isolation.
§ 15 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 truly saddened to receive word that 5 of our residents have died related to COVID-19.
One of the residents lived at The Villages of Orleans Health and Rehabilitation Center and four of the residents lived at Orchard Rehabilitation & Nursing Center. Our deepest condolences go to the family and friends of each of these individuals during this very difficult 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 the total positive cases from 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. Because the local health departments don’t follow the positive cases for facilities, we cannot report any recoveries from the facilities with positive cases 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.)
Memorial Day Holiday / Social gatherings / Yard-Garage Sales:
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 (https://forward.ny.gov/) 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 https://mylicense.custhelp.com/app/ask
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, 2020 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.
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.
· Re-Opening Guidance: Links to assist businesses
o Link to the NY Forward Reopening guide: https://www.governor.ny.gov/sites/governor.ny.gov/files/atoms/files/NYForwardReopeningGuide.pdf o Regional Control Room: flnyf@esd.ny.gov o Link to NY Forward website: https://forward.ny.gov/
o Link to NY Forward “Can I re-open” Business Look-up Tool https://www.businessexpress.ny.gov/app/nyforward
o Public/Private Beaches: https://forward.ny.gov/statewide-guidelines
o COVID-19 Test Finder: https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/find-test-site-near-you
· 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 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 click the link 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.
Children
o Click the following links for resources to help
§ https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/coronavirus-calm.html
§ https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Resource_Libraries/covid-19/resources_helping_kids_parents_cope.aspx 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.
NEW YORK STATE RESTRICTIONS / GUIDANCE
· 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
@GOHEALTHNY SOCIAL MEDIA
Follow us on social media to receive reliable information about COVID-19.
· YouTube
· Ready Genesee
· Orleans Aware