Press release\/Orleans County Health Department\/3.14.2020 4:30p.m.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOver the past week, COVID-19 has evolved rapidly. While Orleans County has no confirmed cases, there are confirmed cases in a neighboring county and increasing local testing. I believe it is inevitable we will see cases here in Orleans County,\u201d stated Lynne Johnson, Chair of the Orleans County Legislature. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWith this in mind and after discussion with Paul Pettit, Director of the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments, I am declaring a state of emergency for Orleans County. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I am recommending that all schools in Orleans County close to students effective immediately for an undetermined amount of time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe still want to remind people the risk in our community still remains relatively low and these decisions are based on the need to slow transmission in our communities,\u201dstated Pettit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThrough ongoing discussions with all 5 school districts and county administration, this unified decision is based on the increased activity in our county and has led to these preventive measures.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The recommendation applies to students, districts can make individual determinations regarding faculty and staff. \u201cWith the announcement of Monroe County schools closing and Kendall and Holley share students with the Monroe County BOCES program, I feel this is a difficult but proactive approach to slow the potential spread of disease,\u201d stated Julie Christensen, Superintendent of Kendall School District<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cWe understand the potential hardship this can have on our families,\u201dstated Michael Bonnewell, Superintendent of Albion School District, \u201cBut are in agreement with this decision.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cEven though there are no positive cases of COVID-19 in Orleans County we believe taking a proactive approach will help keep our students and their families healthy,\u201dstated Mark Kruzynski, Superintendent of Medina School District.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe will continue to work with the Health Department to determine when we can get our students back to school, but want our families to understand that this is a rapidly evolving situation and we are concerned for the safety of our school family,\u201dstated Jason Smith, Superintendent of Lyndonville School District. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAs a District Superintendent it is our charge to provide safe, quality education for the students of our district,\u201dstated Brian Bartalo, Superintendent of HolleySchool District. \u201cWe understand this is an unprecedented response to the COVID-19 outbreak and anticipate that these steps will help protect our communities and limit the potential spread of disease.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWith the declaration of a State of Emergency it allows us to procure goods and services as well as required and available assistance to municipalities and school districts vital to the security, well-being, and health and safety of the citizensof Orleans County,\u201d stated H. Dale Banker, Director of Emergency Management.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Press release\/Orleans County Health Department\/3.14.2020 4:30p.m. \u201cOver the past week, COVID-19 has evolved rapidly. While Orleans County has no confirmed cases, there are confirmed cases in a neighboring county and increasing local testing. I believe it is inevitable we will see cases here in Orleans County,\u201d stated Lynne Johnson, Chair \u2026<\/p>\n