COVID-19

Press release:

• Genesee County received 109 new positive cases of COVID-19 since Friday afternoon.
  • The new positive cases reside in Alabama, Alexander, Batavia, Bergen, Bethany, Byron, Darien, Elba, Le Roy, Oakfield, Pavilion and Pembroke.
  • The individuals are in their 0-19s, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s.
  • Ninety-seven of the previous positive individuals have recovered and have been removed from the isolation list.
  • Twenty-one of the positive individuals are hospitalized.
  • Thirteen of the new positive cases are residents at the New York State Veterans Home.
  • We received notification of two deaths of community members. One of the individuals was over the age of 65 and one of the individuals was under 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.
• Orleans County received 55 new positive cases of COVID-19.
  • The new positive cases reside in Albion, Barre, Carlton, Clarendon, Gaines, Kendall, Murray, Ridgeway and Shelby.
  • The individuals are in their 0-19s, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s, and 80s.
  • Sixteen of the individuals were on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive.
  • Sixty-seven of the previous positive individuals have recovered and have been removed from the isolation list.
  • Four of the current positive individuals are hospitalized.

Yellow Micro-cluster Zone: Batavia and part of Genesee County have been designated as a being in a Yellow micro-cluster Zone. We are waiting on the state to update the map. Go to https://forward.ny.gov/micro-cluster-strategy for updates. The following restrictions are now in place in these identified locations: for nonresidential gatherings 25 people maximum, indoors and outdoors; residential gatherings 10 people maximum, indoors and outdoors; House of Worship 50-percent of maximum capacity; Businesses are open; Dining indoor and outdoor dining permitted, four person maximum per table, and bars and restaurants close at 10 p.m. for on-premises consumption; Schools are open with 20-percent weekly testing of in-person students and faculty.

We continue to encourage everyone whether located in a micro-cluster zone or not to limit gatherings as much as possible, properly wear masks/face coverings, social distance at least 6 feet, frequently wash / sanitize your hands and frequently shared surfaces to minimize the spread. If the rates continue to increase further restrictions are possible.

Rapid Testing:  Preregistration is required for rapid testing clinics. 

Orleans County will be hosting a rapid testing clinic on Dec. 16th from 1 – 4 p.m., preregistration is required. The focus is for asymptomatic individuals and is free. This is a self-administered rapid test at the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds, 12690 Route 31, Albion -- please use the Taylor Hill Road entrance. To schedule a test for the Orleans County drive-thru clinic, please register online at https://on.ny.gov/36ZqTxF (this is the registration link). If you have a printer, complete and bring your GO Health Intake Form https://bit.ly/GOIntakeForm with you (see the link below). If you need assistance with online registration because you don’t have internet, call the Orleans County Health Department at (585) 589-3278.

To register for upcoming Genesee County Drive-thru testing clinics, preregistration is required, go to https://on.ny.gov/3qihbhF  (this is the registration link). Genesee County Drive-thru test clinics are scheduled for Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1 to 4 p.m. If you have a printer, complete and bring your GO Health Intake Form https://bit.ly/GOIntakeForm with you (see link below). Anyone needing additional help for online registration may contact the Genesee County Health Department at (585) 344-2580, ext. 5555.

 For both Genesee and Orleans to help the process please note the following guidelines:

• If you have a printer, complete the GO Health Intake Form https://bit.ly/GOIntakeForm and bring it with you. If you completed the Intake form online please print it out and bring it with you – if you don’t have a printer, the form will be provided for you at the clinic
• 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 emailed within 48 hours if we have a valid email address.

Quarantine and Isolation:

• If you believe you are a contact or have been notified you are a contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19, it may take a few days for contact tracers to initially contact you due to the volume of contacts. Please self-quarantine. Stay away from other household members, use separate bathroom facilities (or sanitize after each use), have meals delivered.
• 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.

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.

• 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.
• 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!

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 wrongdoing generally does nothing to fix the problem. Be compassionate of other people and spread kindness.

Press release:

Please be advised there is a City Council Conference and Business Meeting (one meeting this month due to the Holidays) scheduled for tonight, Dec. 14 at 7 o'clock in the Council Board Room on the second floor of the Batavia City Centre.  

• This meeting will be closed to the public in light of the Governors announcement made this morning, moving the City of Batavia to a Yellow Zone Designation due to COVID-19.
• The press is invited to attend in person and cover the meeting live with appropriate facemask and social distancing.
• Members of the public that would like to make a statement to the Council regarding agenda items can write to the City Clerk at hparker@batavianewyork.comprior to the meeting and she will read your email during the meeting -- public comments section. 

Options for viewing the meeting:

Batavia News Service Youtube Channel and City’s Facebook (later in the evening): 

• https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOdvZ9lGH0FiD9ADz6Cg6EQ
• Spectrum Channel 1301 – Wednesday, Dec 16th at 9 a.m. and Friday, Dec. 18th at 8 p.m. 

The agenda is posted on the City website at the following URL link: 

Conference:  https://www.batavianewyork.com/city-council/agenda/conference-agenda-12-14-2020

Business:  https://www.batavianewyork.com/city-council/agenda/business-agenda-12-14-2020

Press release:

Data Update:

• Genesee County received 31 new positive cases of COVID-19.
  • The new positive cases reside in Alabama, Batavia, Bergen, Byron, Darien, Le Roy, Oakfield, Pembroke and Stafford. 
  • The individuals are in their 0-19s, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s, and 80s.
  • Forty-two of the previous positive individuals have recovered and have been removed from the isolation list.
  • Twenty-two of the positive individuals are hospitalized.

• Orleans County received 21 new positive cases of COVID-19.

• The new positive cases reside in Albion, Barre, Carlton, Clarendon, Gaines, Murray, Yates, Ridgeway and Shelby.
• The individuals are in their 0-19s, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, and 70s.
• Nine of the individuals were on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive.
• Fourteen of the previous positive individuals have recovered and have been removed from the isolation list.
• Three of the current positive individuals are hospitalized.
• One of the new cases is a resident of Orchard Rehabilitation & Nursing Center.
• One of the new cases is an inmate at the Orleans Correctional Facility.

Press release:

Data Update:

• Genesee County received 23 new positive cases of COVID-19.
  • The new positive cases reside in Alexander, Batavia, Bergen, Byron, Darien, Le Roy and Pembroke.
  • The individuals are in their 0-19s, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, and 60s.
  • Forty-eight of the previous positive individuals have recovered and have been removed from the isolation list.
  • Twenty-one of the positive individuals are hospitalized.
  • One of the new cases is a resident is at the VA Medical Center.
• Orleans County received 30 new positive cases of COVID-19.
  • The new positive cases reside in Albion, Barre, Carlton, Clarendon, Gaines, Murray, Yates, Ridgeway and Shelby.
  • The individuals are in their 0-19s, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s.
  • Six of the individuals were on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive.
  • Twelve of the previous positive individuals have recovered and have been removed from the isolation list.
  • Five of the current positive individuals are hospitalized.
  • One of the new cases is a resident of Orchard Rehabilitation & Nursing Center.

Press release:

Data Update:

• Genesee County received 46 new positive cases of COVID-19.
  • The new positive cases reside in Alabama, Alexander, Batavia, Bergen, Bethany, Byron, Darien, Elba, Le Roy, Pavilion and Pembroke.
  • The individuals are in their 0-19s, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s.
  • Fifty-eight of the previous positive individuals have recovered and have been removed from the isolation list.
  • Twenty-one of the positive individuals are hospitalized.
  • One of the new cases is a resident at the Grand Rehabilitation and Nursing at Batavia, two of the new cases are residents at Premier Genesee Center for Nursing & Rehabilitation, and two of the new cases are at the VA Medical Center.
  • One of the previous community active cases has been identified as a resident of the Grand Rehabilitation and Nursing at Batavia.
• Orleans County received 37 new positive cases of COVID-19.
  • The new positive cases reside in Albion, Barre, Carlton, Clarendon, Gaines, Kendall, Murray, Yates, Ridgeway and Shelby.
  • The individuals are in their 0-19s, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, and 70s.
  • Thirteen of the individuals were on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive.
  • Six of the previous positive individuals have recovered and have been removed from the isolation list.
  • Six of the current positive individuals are hospitalized.

Press release:

Looking for that perfect last-minute gift? A stocking stuffer for that sports-car buff in the family? How about a new ‘Vette? 

OK, so a chance on one. And more likely, just in time for Valentines’ Day. Either way, the odds are decent. 

Batavia Rotary Club has reintroduced its popular Corvette Raffle.

“We took a break for several years, but realized it was time to bring it back” says Rotarian and event chair Lisa Ormsbee. “The raffle raises money for all of Rotary’s good causes locally and worldwide. And we sell only up to 3,999 tickets.” 

Tom Turnbull, 2020-21 Rotary president, adds “We’re thrilled to be able to bring back this project after several years’ hiatus. 2020 will surely go down in history as one to remember. We are happy to be back doing what we do best: supporting our communities. All proceeds support Rotary’s charitable causes, which this year included $20,000 in direct COVID-19 relief, in addition to support of a dozen or more community nonprofits who take care of so many needs right here in Genesee County.” 

Tickets are $50 each or three for $100. Donations are fully tax deductible.

First prize is a new 2021 Corvette or $40,000 in cash, with 10 second prizes of $500 each. The drawing will be held on Feb. 6. Tickets may be purchased from any Batavia Rotarian, or online.

“Or ask your Rotarian friend to mail you one or three tickets, and take care of it that way,” says Ormsbee. “Either way you’re doing a lot of good, and who knows, you might be driving around in style next Spring!” 

Press release:

The Salvation Army of Batavia is proud to announce, for the 37^th year in a row, WBTA’S annual toy drive with Ken Barrett Cadillac Chevrolet. COVID-19 has hit The Salvation Army especially hard, with the need for services being at an all-time high and funding down nearly 40-50 percent. 

The annual drive for new, unwrapped toys will take place at the car dealership this Friday, Dec. 11, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. It is located at 229 W. Main St. in the City of Batavia. WBTA will broadcast live.

The toy drive is a staple seasonal event for The Salvation Army of Batavia and the local community. All toys donated go to children in the Genesee County area. To date, The Salvation Army of Batavia has 180 families registered with more than 400 children needing toys this Christmas. They have seen more than a 30-percent increase in need this year due to the coronavirus pandemic in just the Batavia area. 

“While the start of the Christmas season for The Salvation Army begins in the summer with planning, for me, the Christmas spirit is ignited with our annual toy drive,” said Captain Rachel Moore. “I feel the toy drive is what really signifies the holiday spirit in Batavia.

"It is overwhelming to see the generosity of our community as toy after toy is dropped off. This year, more than ever before, we are relying on the giving spirit of our neighbors to offer hope to children in need all over Genesee County. We are grateful to WBTA and Ken Barrett Cadillac Chevrolet for continuing a beautiful tradition that will help so many this year.” 

The Batavia Salvation Army has implemented additional precautions to make the toy drive a COVID-19 safe event. Those participating can simply drive up to the designated area at Ken Barrett Cadillac Chevrolet and open their trunk. A member of the Batavia Fire Department will collect the toys.

If you cannot participate on Dec. 11^th, please visit our Angel Tree Registry with Walmart.com. Toys will be directly shipped to our offices. 

About The Salvation Army Empire State Division

The Empire State Division of The Salvation Army covers 48 counties in Upstate New York and one city in Pennsylvania (Sayre, Pa.). Our annual Red Kettle Campaign in November and December helps our 45 community centers and 166 volunteer driven service units raise funds that remain in each community to help those in need. 

For more information go to: empire.salvationarmy.org

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/salvationarmyempirestate

About The Salvation Army 

The Salvation Army annually helps more than 23 million Americans overcome poverty, addiction and economic hardships through a range of social services. By providing food for the hungry, emergency relief for disaster survivors, rehabilitation for those suffering from drug and alcohol abuse, and clothing and shelter for people in need, The Salvation Army is doing the most good at 7,600 centers of operation around the country. In the first-ever listing of “America’s Favorite Charities” by The Chronicle of Philanthropy, The Salvation Army ranked as the country’s largest privately funded, direct-service nonprofit.

For more information, visit SalvationArmyUSA.org. Follow us on Twitter @SalvationArmyUS and #DoingTheMostGood.

Press release:

Data Update:

• Genesee County received 21 new positive cases of COVID-19.
  • The new positive cases reside in Batavia, Bergen, Bethany, Byron, Elba, Le Roy, Oakfield and Pembroke. 
  • The individuals are in their 0-19s, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, and 70s. 
  • Fifty-seven of the previous positive individuals have recovered and have been removed from the isolation list.
  • Seventeen of the positive individuals are hospitalized.
  • We received notification of two 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.

​

• Orleans County received 23 new positive cases of COVID-19.
• The new positive cases reside in Albion, Barre, Clarendon, Gaines, Kendall, Murray, Yates, Ridgeway and Shelby.
• The individuals are in their 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, and 70s.
• Two of the individuals were on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive.
• Twenty of the previous positive individuals have recovered and have been removed from the isolation list.
• Six 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.

Press release:

Data update covering the weekend and today until 2 p.m.:

• Genesee County received 130 new positive cases of COVID-19.
  • The new positive cases reside in Alabama, Alexander, Batavia, Bergen, Bethany, Byron, Darien, Elba, Le Roy, Oakfield, Pavilion, Pembroke and Stafford. 
  • The individuals are in their 0-19s, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s. 
  • Thirty-eight of the previous positive individuals have recovered and have been removed from the isolation list.
  • Twenty of the positive individuals are hospitalized.
  • Two of the new positive individuals are residents at The Grand Rehabilitation and Nursing at Batavia, one is a resident at the NYS Veterans Home, and one is at the VA Medical Center.
  • We received notification of three deaths. One is a resident at The Grand Rehabilitation and Nursing at Batavia. Two of the deaths were community members. All three 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.
•  
• Orleans County received 32 new positive cases of COVID-19.
• The new positive cases reside in Albion, Barre, Carlton, Clarendon, Gaines, Kendall, Murray, Yates, Ridgeway and Shelby.
• The individuals are in their 0-19s, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s 70s and 80s.
• Four of the individuals were on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive.
• Twenty of the previous positive individuals have recovered and have been removed from the isolation list.
• Nine of the current positive individuals are hospitalized.

​

Press release from the New York Restaurant Association:

“Based on the current metrics and projections, Governor Cuomo has given New Yorkers a one-week warning that indoor dining will likely be shut down, regardless of the number of positive cases that are specifically tied back to restaurants.

"The confusing, patchwork system of micro-clusters, regional restrictions and blanket statewide rollbacks has made it virtually impossible for restaurants to continue indoor dining.

"Whether it is positivity rate or hospitalization rate, all of these factors are outside of restaurants’ control. With the looming limits on indoor dining and outdoor dining no longer practical, many of our members will be forced to shut their doors, and for some it may be their final service.

"Based on today’s news, many restaurants will have no other choice, and hundreds of thousands of restaurant employees will be laid off during the holidays. As we just heard Governor Cuomo and Dr. Anthony Fauci say today, the restaurant industry is on life support and will die without financial assistance from the federal government.

"We need our elected officials, including Governor Cuomo, to be our biggest advocates.”

Health Alert

The Genesee Orleans County Health Departments have received a positive COVID-19 test result from an individual who was at Sport of Kings, Batavia on:

• Monday, Nov. 30^th from 2 to 8 p.m.
• Tuesday, Dec. 1^st from 2 to 8 p.m.

Contact tracing is in progress; however unidentified individuals may have unknowingly been in contact with the positive cases. 

We advise all individuals who were at Sport of Kings on the stated dates and times to monitor their symptoms for 14 days. If symptoms of COVID-19 develop, contact your primary care provider to seek testing immediately and self-isolate until you receive your test results.

Symptoms of COVID-19 include but are not limited to: fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea.

For more information please visit: https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/home.

Statement from Batavia City School District Superintendent Anibal Soler Jr.:

Dear Batavia Blue Devil Families,

As the number of positive COVID-19 cases continue to rise across New York State and specifically in Genesee County ​(8-percent positive test rate -- current highest in New York)​ it brings a number of challenges for the school district.

These challenges include but are not limited to the following:

• Our ongoing ability to staff in-person learning with certified staff members.
• Guidance regarding close contact and quarantining: we continue to have a large number of students and staff members unable to attend in-person learning and work because of the fact that educators/ district staff are not designated as essential employees under current New York State Department of Health guidance, which forces them to quarantine even if they are not showing symptoms.
• Despite the CDC reducing the number of days for quarantining to 7-10 days, the NYSDOH is still requiring a 14-day quarantining window.
• Social gatherings are still occurring outside of school, which bring new positive cases into our school district.
• The influx of parent and family requests that want to move their children from in-person hybrid learning to a 100-percent full virtual model.
• Over this last week our number of total positive cases in our schools increased to 39 and the number of students and staff that have had to quarantine as a result was over 100 between our four school buildings.

  Therefore, ​I have made the difficult decision to move our school district to 100-percent Virtual Remote Learning effective immediately and through the upcoming winter break. I will monitor and reassess this decision and I will provide families an update prior to our return on Monday, Jan. 4th.

  Moving our entire district to 100-percent Virtual Remote Learning will give us the ability to focus primarily on one mode of teaching and learning and allow us to prepare for updated guidance from New York State that prioritizes safe in-person learning for all. Families of children who receive specialized instruction and various mandated therapy will be contacted by the district with options for teletherapy and targeted support. BOCES Career Technical Education students will also attend their program virtually. This does not impact out-of-district placements and students who attend BOCES Alternative Academy and ITP programs. For the majority of our students this equates to the loss of five in-person learning days over the course of the next 12 school days.

• The district will continue to provide daily breakfast and lunch for pick up at Jackson Primary and John Kennedy from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. during this period.

  It is also important to remind you that if we are to return to any form of in-person learning that we still need parents and guardians to fill out our consent form located here. To date, we only have 483 (24 percent) of in-person learning families who have given consent. Please know that if and when we are designated a color zone, that random testing will be required and only families who give consent will be able to attend in-person learning.

  At a time where we should be focused on celebrating an upcoming winter break and spending time with our families, I know that this decision will impact many of you negatively and that is not my intent. Ultimately, my intent and one of my main responsibilities as your Superintendent, is to always protect the physical and mental health and safety of our students, staff and community.

  If you have any additional questions or concerns please feel free to call your child’s school for support.

  WE are Better Together...WE are Batavia!

  Anibal Soler Jr.
  Superintendent of Schools

Press release:

The Genesee County Health Department has received a positive COVID-19 test from an individual who was at Applebee's Grill + Bar in Batavia on Friday, Nov. 27th from 12 to 2 p.m. Contact tracing is in progress; however unidentified individuals may have unknowingly been in contact with the positive case.

We advise all individuals who were at Applebee's on Nov. 27th between the hours of 12 and 2 p.m. to monitor their symptoms for 14 days (through Dec. 11th). If symptoms of COVID-19 develop, contact your primary care provider to seek testing immediately and self-isolate until you receive your test results.

Symptoms of COVID-19 include but are not limited to: fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea.

Press release:

Congressman Chris Jacobs (NY-27) delivered a floor speech today calling on Democratic House Leadership to immediately consider additional relief for small businesses.

Find a transcription of his speech below:

“I rise in support of extending the successful and bipartisan Paycheck Protection Program by making $138 billion in already appropriated funds available to help more businesses that are experiencing dire and desperate need.

"This week it was reported that almost 30 percent of small businesses in New York have closed for good due to the COVID-19 epidemic, and many more will face the same fate without further aid. $138 billion appropriated to the PPP is just sitting here in Washington, D.C., instead of helping our nation's small businesses.

For months we have asked the Speaker to allow a vote on H.R. 8265, which simply enables the SBA to do another round of grant awards -- getting this $138 billion out on the street before it's too late for many of these hard hit businesses. This legislation is targeted, addresses a dire need across the nation, and requires no additional federal funds.

"I urge the Speaker and her leadership to reconsider this tactic and allow this legislation to come to the floor for a vote. I'm confident it will receive bipartisan support. Thank you very much, I yield back.”

Background: H.R. 8265 – The Paycheck Protection Program Extension Act – would extend the application deadline for the Paycheck Protection Program, allowing for $138 billion in already appropriated funds to be made available to small businesses. The legislation was originally authored by Rep. Steve Chabot (R-OH).

Press release:

Genesee County will continue offering residents, who are asymptomatic (no symptoms, not feeling sick, etc.), with free drive-thru COVID-19 self-administered rapid testing at the Genesee County Emergency Management Office & Fire Training Facility, at 7690 State Street Road in the Town of Batavia.

The free testing will be offered from 1 to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 8^th and Thursday, 10^th Dec. from 1 to 4 p.m.

The focus for these clinics is for those who are asymptomatic. As a reminder, for anyone who had a recent potential exposure to COVID-19, it is not recommended to be tested until at least five days have passed since the exposure

To schedule a test please register online here. Anyone needing additional help for online registration may contact the Genesee County Health Department at (585) 344-2580, ext. 5555.

“We had an exceptional turnout earlier this week and had a 3.5-percent positivity rate which is significantly lower than the positive rates we have been experiencing of late in Genesee County,” said Paul A. Pettit, MSL, CPH, Genesee and Orleans County Public Health director.

To help the process please note the following guidelines:

• 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;
• Those who are testing could get a call fairly quickly from an unknown number; please answer the phone as staff cannot leave messages and can only give results to the individuals tested or the guardian of minor children.

“We have so many people from Genesee County who are working around the clock on this critically important testing,” said Genesee County Legislature Chair Shelley Stein. “This is an all-hands-on-deck effort and it is heartening to see the community rally around it, especially with the turnout we saw earlier this week.”

Press release:

Data Update:

• Genesee County received 50 new positive cases of COVID-19.
  • The new positive cases reside in Alexander, Batavia, Bergen, Byron, Elba, Le Roy, Oakfield and Pembroke.
  • The individuals are in their 0-19s, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s.
  • Twenty-nine of the previous positive individuals have recovered and have been removed from the isolation list.
  • Fifteen of the positive individuals are hospitalized.
  • Fifteen of the new positive individuals are residents at The Grand Rehabilitation and Nursing at Batavia.
  • We received notification of three deaths of residents at The Grand Rehabilitation and Nursing at Batavia. Two of the residents were over the age of 65 and one of the residents was under 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.
• Orleans County received 24 new positive cases of COVID-19.
  • The new positive cases reside in Albion, Barre, Clarendon, Gaines, Kendall, Murray, Yates, Ridgeway and Shelby.
  • The individuals are in their 0-19s, 20s, 30s, 40s and 60s.
  • Three of the individuals were on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive.
  • Six of the previous positive individuals have recovered and have been removed from the isolation list.
  • Eight of the current positive individuals are hospitalized.

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

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

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 include community active/positive, community recovered and all those from non-county regulated facilities.

Rapid Testing: Genesee County will be hosting two rapid testing clinics on Dec. 8th and 10th from 1 – 4 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 online here. 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 not 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 emailed within 48 hours if we have a valid email address.

Orleans County will be holding a rapid testing clinic on Dec. 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.

• 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.
• 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!
• 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.

Updates

Testing: FYI: Due to increased COVID-19 cases and testing demand in the region, the MCC drive-in testing site will be expanding to seven days and expanding Saturday and Sunday hours to 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. (starting this weekend). Appointments are required; click here.

• Effective Nov. 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 Nov. 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 nonessential 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 nonessential 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, click here.

• Erie County -- New Orange Precautionary Zone -- Click Here for Map
• Niagara County – New Yellow Precautionary Zone – Click Here for Map
• Monroe County -- Yellow Precautionary Zone - Click Here for Map

The number of patients visiting UMMC's urgent care clinic at the Jerome Center has more than doubled over the past month due to a greater prevalence of COVID-19 in the community, according to Dr. Andrew Tisser, urgent care medical director.

"We've seen a very large increase in both symptomatic and asymptomatic covid testing and need for medical care in Batavia specifically speaking to the urgent care center," Tisser said this morning during a conference call with local media. "Our volume in the last three or so weeks has increased by about 110 percent."

The number of patients visiting urgent care has done from about 25 per day to 50 or 60 per day, and about 80 percent of the visitors are coming to the client for COVID-related reasons.

There is currently a surge of COVID in the community and there is no way to know if we're at the peak or if the caseload will only get bigger in the coming weeks or months. Either way, Tisser expressed confidence that UMMC and Rochester Reginal Health is ready to adapt to changing circumstances. He believes the urgent care center can handle the coming caseload even if there is an increase in community spread.

That said, the community can help, Tisser said. He encouraged local residents to wear a mask, keep socially distant and follow other CDC guidelines to help control the spread of COVID.

In the spring, healthcare workers were hailed as superheroes and feted with free meals and parades. That attention has faded and people are seemingly paying less attention to guidelines about social gatherings. Tisser acknowledged that there may be a degree of COVID fatigue that may have set it but healthcare workers aren't looking for any special attention.

"We don't want to be seen as heroes," Tisser said. "We want everyone to be socially responsible and know that we're doing our best. So if everyone would please do their best, that would be really helpful. But we are here to help you. We're here to take care of you."

Tesser explained to help people and to keep everybody safe, there are now two ways to access the urgent care clinic. The main lobby for standard urgent care but for people seeking COVID-related service, a doorway with a phone where clients can speak to a nurse who can triage their needs. If it's a test for symptomatic or asymptomatic clients, they are asked to wait in their car where the test can be administered.

People who show up at the clinic are usually there because they're symptomatic and were referred by a primary care physician or they are a known close contact with a COVID-positive person and need to be tested as a result.

Tesser said people who are symptomatic should contact their primary care physician to get guidance on testing and evaluation.

The urgent care clinic only handles mild COVID-19 cases, people with a low-grade fever, a mild cough, other mild symptoms. More serious cases are generally referred to the emergency room.

"We're here to help you, but please try to help us," Tisser said. "The virus is not going away any time soon. We are hopeful with the vaccine coming, but it will take time to get everyone on the vaccine. So everyone needs to keep doing what they're doing to the best of their ability and just be smart and stay safe."

Today, the first time since the pandemic hit Western New York, residents of Genesee County who are not showing symptoms of COVID-19 could get free coronavirus test locally.

The newly available rapid test is important, said Paul Pettit, public health director, because asymptomatic people can spread the disease. Identifying them will help slow the spread.

"The folks in the community that may be positive, that don't know they have it, they may be contributing to some of our higher numbers that we've been seeing over the last month," Pettit said.

In the first hour, 100 people were tested and three tests were positive.

Those three people, Pettit said now know they should isolate themselves and avoid contact that might lead to the disease being passed on to a vulnerable person, perhaps a family member.

"These folks probably would not have gotten tested," Pettit said. "So they would have been out in the community going to hang out with their friends or family, doing different activities and they might not have known they had it so bad. By doing stuff like testing like this, it allows them to be identified and now we can put them under isolation and again, hopefully, reduce those transmissions."

As many as 350 tests were administered today. The final number of positive tests of that 350 has not been released yet.

Pettit said rapid tests for asymptomatic people will be available in Genesee County on Tuesday and Thursday through at least January. The location may not always be at the Emergency Management Office on State Street Road. Future locations, or if it will be moved, has not yet been determined.  

More than 30 people volunteered to help with testing. More may be needed in the future.

Among the advantages of the free rapid test is that people who might want to travel or visit elderly family members in senior facilities were having a hard time getting required tests.  

The testing will also help get a clearer picture of how prevalent the disease is locally.

Getting the tests for Genesee County has been a long and concerted effort by local officials, state and federal representatives.

People who do get tested need to recognize that the test is only a "snapshot in time," Pettit said.

"Literally, if you test today and your negative, that's great," Pettit said. "Go home, go do your thing, continue to practice all the social distancing. But the bottom line doesn't mean you won't be positive tomorrow or the next day or the day after. So really, it's one of those things there really isn't a rhyme or reason necessarily on getting tested. I mean, obviously, we don't want people coming out here every day because we want to make sure we have availability for people that need it also. But a test is a snapshot. It's only good for the time you get tested, just like with anything else."

Press release:

The Genesee County Health Department has received multiple positive COVID-19 test results from individuals who were at Eli Fish Brewing Co. in Batavia on:

• Wednesday, Nov. 25^th from 6 - 8:45 p.m.

Contact tracing is in progress; however unidentified individuals may have unknowingly been in contact with the positive cases.

We advise all individuals who were at Eli Fish on the stated dates and times to monitor their symptoms for 14 days. If symptoms of COVID-19 develop, contact your primary care provider to seek testing immediately and self-isolate until you receive your test results.

Symptoms of COVID-19 include but are not limited to: fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea.

For more information please visit: https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/home.