GENESEE ORLEANS/Health Dept./COVID-19 Update/3 deaths and 44 new positive cases reported/New Health Alert information for businesses

Data Update: December 8, 2020

o Genesee County received 21 new positive cases of COVID-19 for a total of 1237 positive cases.

§ The new positive cases reside in Batavia, Bergen, Bethany, Byron, Elba, LeRoy, Oakfield, and Pembroke.

§ The individuals are in their 0-19’s, 20’s, 30’s, 40’s, 50’s, and 70’s.

§ 57 of the previous positive individuals have recovered and have been removed from the isolation list.

§ 17 of the positive individuals are hospitalized.

§ We received notification of 2 deaths of community members. Both of the individuals were over the age of 65. To protect the individual and their family we will not be releasing any further information. We express our deepest condolences to the family and friends of this community member during this very difficult time.

o Orleans County received 23 new positive cases of COVID-19 for a total of 741 positive cases

§ The new positive cases reside in Albion, Barre, Clarendon, Gaines, Kendall, Murray, Yates, Ridgeway and Shelby.

§ The individuals are in their 20’s, 30’s, 40’s, 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s.

§ Two of the individuals were on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive.

§ 20 of the previous positive individuals have recovered and have been removed from the isolation list.

§ 6 of the current positive individuals are hospitalized.

§ We are saddened to report the COVID-related community death of an Orleans County resident who was over the age of 65. We will not be releasing any further information to protect the individual and their family. Our hearts go out to the family and friends of this community member during this very difficult time.

Health Alert (new format for announcing when there is a time we cannot contact potential close contacts. This will replace several press releases and will be reported as needed. We encourage all businesses to take down names/contact information and time in attendance at their business to assist with contact tracing should someone be positive for COVID-19):

To review the raw positive data for each of the counties click the following link

https://covid19tracker.health.ny.gov/views/NYS-COVID19-Tracker/NYSDOHCOVID-19Tracker-Map?%3Aembed=yes&%3Atoolbar=no&%3Atabs=n

Click here to view the Genesee and Orleans County online map of confirmed cases.

Genesee Orleans Wyoming COVID-19 Case Tracker (arcgis.com)

A reminder the numbers listed as positive/active are current community cases. The recovered numbers are only for community cases and do not include non-county regulated facilities. The total positive cases includes community active/positive, community recovered and all those from non-county regulated facilities.

Rapid Testing:

Genesee County will be hosting a rapid testing clinic on December 10th from 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. The focus is for asymptomatic individuals and is free. This is a self-administered rapid test at the Genesee County Emergency Management Office & Fire Training Facility, at 7690 State Street Road in the Town of Batavia.

To schedule a test, please register on-line at https://on.ny.gov/3qihbhF

Anyone needing additional help for online registration may contact the Genesee County Health Department at 585-344-2580 ext. 5555.

To help the process please note the following guidelines: · If you completed the form online, please print it out and bring it with you

· Make sure you have a pen in your vehicle

· Everyone in the vehicle is to have their mask on when they pull up at the testing site · For those who are getting tested, they may get a call fairly quickly from an unknown number…answer the phone. Staff cannot leave messages and can only give results to the individual tested or the guardian of minor children. Hard copy results will be e-mailed within 48 hours if we have a valid e-mail address.

Orleans County will be holding a rapid testing clinic on December 16th. More details to come.

Business Reminder:

It is important to periodically review your Business Safety Plan that was developed earlier on in the pandemic. As part of the plan businesses were encouraged to develop contact sheets for all patrons to assist with contact tracing in the event of a potential COVID-19 exposure. This will help in investigations and will limit the necessity of press releases which will help limit potential spread.

COVID-19 101 Reminders: If a person is identified as a contact, they will be notified by the County Health Department, quarantined and if warranted, swabbed if indicated. Limited information is provided to the public in compliance with HIPAA regulations and out of the respect of those impacted by this virus.

o When, and if, there is a situation where potential contact is made in a public location where contact tracing doesn’t have actual names of close contacts, we will send out a media announcement to help seek contacts.

o If you are experiencing ANY COVID-19 related symptoms STAY HOME! Do not go to work, do not go to the store, do not go anywhere, YOU are spreading the virus. STAY HOME!

o We encourage everyone to remember to be polite and respect individual privacy. If you have a complaint about someone or a business use the appropriate channels provided by the state. Using social media to air your complaints and accusing individuals / businesses of wrong doing generally does nothing to fix the problem. Be compassionate of other people and spread kindness.

Testing: FYI: Due to increased COVID-19 cases and testing demand in the region, the MCC drive-in testing site will be expanding to 7-days and expanding Saturday and Sunday hours to 8am-3pm
(starting this weekend).

Appointments are required. Go to: https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/findtest-site-near-you

 If you are being tested for COVID-19 it is important that you self-quarantine until you get your test results whether you have symptoms or not. If you are symptomatic, meaning you are coughing, have a fever or other symptoms, self-quarantine even if you are an essential worker until you get your results back, if you have COVID-19 you may be spreading it! That means to stay home and limit contact with other people, even in your household.

 Effective November 13 at 10 p.m., bars, restaurants and gyms, as well as any State Liquor Authority-licensed establishment, must close in-person service from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. daily.
 Effective November 13 at 10 p.m., indoor and outdoor gatherings at private residences will be limited to no more than 10 people.

Faith-based Organizations:
 Consider continuing or reinstating remote worship due to increased numbers of positive COVID-19 cases to protect your more vulnerable population.
 For those who are at risk of complications for COVID-19 or the flu, consider to connect with
your house of worship remotely to lessen the risk of contracting COVID-19 or the flu.
 If you are sick or experiencing new symptoms, STAY HOME and worship remotely. Don’t share your germs with others.

Gathering Size: According to Governor Cuomo’s Executive Order 202.45, all non-essential gatherings of up to 50 individuals of any size for any reason at venues (celebrations, weddings, or other social events at
public facilities or private venues) unless otherwise designated (ex. Religious gatherings), are now allowed
for those regions in phase 4.

So long as appropriate social distancing, wearing cloth masks/face
coverings over their mouth and nose, and cleaning and disinfection protocol requirements are followed. With the recent uptick of individuals testing positive and the stricter guidance placed by the Governor, it is important to remember that those who plan and host non-essential gatherings (whether at a venue or a private residence) as noted above, can be fined up to $15,000, and/or cause our counties to be considered a micro-cluster which will place the area under stricter restrictions.

Micro-clusters: The initiative will take the most significant action within the cluster (Red Zone), moderate action in the area surrounding the cluster to stop the spread (Orange Zone), and precautionary action in the outlying communities (Yellow Zone). To learn more about the Cluster Action Initiative go to https://forward.ny.gov/ny-forward.

Travel Advisory: Updated 11/04/20
New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut announced that as of 06/25/20 travelers returning or traveling from states with high coronavirus rates will be required to self-quarantine for 14 days.
 As of 11/04/20, there will be new travel guidelines. For more information on the travel advisory, please click here. COVID-19 Travel Advisory | Department of Health (ny.gov)

The Governor is also encouraging that non-essential travel to/from Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Connecticut and Vermont be avoided as they may meet the criteria for NYS travel advisory.
 On 09/28/20, Governor Cuomo signed an executive order reminding international travelers
entering New York from Level 2 and 3 countries to quarantine for 14 days. This is still in effect.
 Traveler Health Form: For all out-of-state or international travelers from NYS restricted states or countries, whether arriving by land or air, must self-identify by completing a traveler health
form or be subject to a $10,000 fine. Click here for the traveler health form.

Welcome to New York State Traveler Health Form (ny.gov)

 School Guidance: Click here to access the COVID-19 Report Card.

School Report (ny.gov)

COVID-19 Resources
 For general inquiries contact or call the Hotline: 1-888-364-3065 or click Ask A Question Ask Us a Question | Department of Health (ny.gov)
 To file a report of an individual failing to adhere to the quarantine pursuant to the travel advisory, please call 1-833-789-0470 or click here File Complaint (custhelp.com) to file a complaint online.
 Complaints and concerns: https://forward.ny.gov/new-york-state-pause
 Finger Lakes Regional Control Room: 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
 To find a test site, click the link: https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/find-test-site-near-you
 ROC COVID-19 Health Screener: To learn more go to: https://www.roccovid.org/index.html
 For access to various languages and ASL videos click this CDC link.
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) | CDC

Flu Season: It is important to get your flu shots now to build up immunity. It generally takes 2 weeks before immunity is built up after getting the shot. Once you have the flu vaccine, if you do get the flu,
research shows that the vaccination reduces the risk of severe illness.

Getting a flu vaccine can save healthcare resources for the care of patients with COVID-19 and other illnesses. Talk with your primary
care provider today! #SleeveUp #FightFlu For locations go to https://vaccinefinder.org/ .

It is always good to call prior to going to make sure they have your vaccine in stock.

 Flu Tracking: For the 2020-2021 Flu Season we will provide data on Friday’s on the current influenza activity. To check the data click here.

NYS Flu Tracker – Weekly – NYAPD

For the current week ending date 11/14/20 Genesee County has 2 cases and Orleans County has 0 cases. There are 197 cases statewide. This is up 17% from previous week. Cases (Statewide) Season to date: 648. This data is influenza that is confirmed by laboratory testing. Not everyone seeks testing for confirmation of the flu

Mental Health Resources:
Care+Crisis Helpline: 585-283-5200 or text ‘Talk’ to 741741
Genesee County Mental Health Department: 585-344-1421
Orleans County Mental Health Department: 585-589-7066

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *