Since the start of the pandemic in March of 2020, the Genesee County Sheriff’s Department has dealt with just over a dozen positive COVID-19 cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Throughout the entire department, we have had 15 positive COVID-19 cases,” says Sheriff William Sheron. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
During this most recent surge that started just after Halloween, many workplaces in the WNY\/Finger Lakes region have been dealing with a large amount of COVID-19 cases and staffing issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“The dispatch center hasn\u2019t been hit any harder than any other workplace dealing with the virus,” says County Manager Matthew Landers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
“None of the cases have been as a result from spread within the dispatch center, but rather from outside exposure. We feel the dispatch center is very safe and clean.” <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Eve Hens, who runs Central Services and is responsible for the cleaning of Genesee County buildings, explains the cleaning process that is used.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOur general process is to sanitize every area of every building daily using an electrostatic spraying system, unless the employees in that area opt out. This spraying system uses static cling to adhere the product to surfaces and is CDC approved for effectively killing the COVID-19 virus. If an area has been exposed and we are notified, then we spray that area when notified.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hens says a custodian and cleaner assigned to the Sheriff\u2019s Administration Building are responsible for sanitizing the building daily. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
“The 911 center has opted out of daily spraying of the area as a whole because they felt that there was a build-up of product on their computers, desks, and the floor. In response, we have been electrostatically spraying their chairs twice daily and wiping down the hard surfaces, desks, keyboards, door knobs, with antibacterial wipes once daily. In addition, we have supplied the dispatchers with disinfectant wipes for their own use throughout their shift.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Anytime there is an exposure in the 911 Dispatch Center, Hens says the cleaning crews are made aware of it and they sanitize the area. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
“The chairs are all sprayed with the electrostatic sprayer and the hard surfaces are sanitized by our cleaning staff using a disinfectant cleaning solution that is approved for use with COVID.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sheriff Sheron says part time dispatchers have been filling in and working more hours when a dispatcher tests positive for COVID-19. Because dispatchers are essential employees, they are allowed to be at work when under quarantine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“There has been an unusual amount of overtime because of it.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sheron says the dispatch staff, 22 employees including part time employees, have been very dedicated to their jobs and are always willing to step up and fill in when needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Steps have been taken to limit the traffic in the dispatch area of the building on Park road. Dispatcher stations are 8-10 feet apart, according to Sheriff Sheron.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Any inkling of someone being exposed we have been overly cautious, we have taken precautionary measures.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Since the start of the pandemic in March of 2020, the Genesee County Sheriff’s Department has dealt with just over a dozen positive COVID-19 cases. “Throughout the entire department, we have had 15 positive COVID-19 cases,” says Sheriff William Sheron. During this most recent surge that started just after Halloween, \u2026<\/p>\n