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Press release:

The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments have received five more COVID-19 cases. Orleans has four new cases from The Villages of Orleans Health and Rehab and Genesee has one. Contact tracing has been initiated for all of the positive cases.

Contact tracing has been initiated and all who have had direct contact with the individuals will be notified by Health Department staff.

“We are also saddened to report that Orleans County has lost two more individuals to COVID-19," said Paul Pettit, director of Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments. Both individuals were residents at The Villages of Orleans with one person under the age of 65 and one person over 65. Our sincere condolences go to the family and friends of these two individuals.”

There is currently no further information to release on ages and location. Mapping to include the positive cases from the weekend will be updated on Monday afternoon.

It's a beautiful spring day so Tiffany Martin helps Owen Elmore learn how to ride his electric scooter on Morton Avenue, Batavia.

A reader tipped us to a trio of dinosaurs marauding through Downtown Batavia. We hunted them down and shot them (with a camera) while they were passing by St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church.

Elba resident Lucine Kauffman reads "Leisure" by W.H. Davies.

Written briefing:

• As of 2 p.m.
  • Genesee County received one new positive case of COVID-19 for a total of 142 positive cases.
    • The positive case resides in Elba.
    • The positive case is in their 50s.
    • The newly positive individual was not on quarantine prior to becoming symptomatic.
    • Five of the previous positive cases have recovered and have been released from mandatory isolation.
    • One of the total active positive cases is hospitalized.
  • Orleans County received 10 new positive cases of COVID-19 for a total of 75 positive cases.
    • One positive case resides in Barre, and one resides in Kendall.
    • Eight of the positive cases were from The Villages of Orleans Health & Rehab Facility.
    • One individual is in their 30s, one individual is in their 40s, two individuals are in their 60s and one individual is in their 70s, three individuals are in their 80s and two individuals are in their 90s or older.
    • One of the newly positive individuals was on quarantine prior to becoming symptomatic.
    • Eight of the total active positive cases are hospitalized.
• Orleans County has been made aware of two more deaths from The Villages of Orleans Health & Rehab, both of the individuals were over 65. Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of these individuals, our neighbors, during this very sad time.

Briefing.

Press release:

Today, Nate McMurray, candidate for U.S. Congress in the June 23 special election in NY-27, condemned U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell for holding hostage critically needed aid for New Yorkers, and called on opponent Chris Jacobs to do the same.

“Even the idea of the federal government turning their back on states during the biggest healthcare crisis in U.S. history is unfathomable and should infuriate all of us, regardless of party affiliation," McMurray said. "This is not ‘free money’, it exists to serve the American people and to ensure they are able to receive everyday critical services like those provided by our First Responders and school districts here in Western New York.”

The U.S. Senate, under McConnell’s leadership, rejected essential funding for state and local governments in the latest emergency relief bill this week. McConnell said he’d favor states’ declaring bankruptcy over providing additional federal aid to states facing catastrophic budget gaps during the COVID-19 crisis.

“New York invests $116 billion dollars into the federal government, and the people of the 27th deserve their fair share as they struggle to make ends meet, now more than ever," McMurray said.

"As a sitting NYS Senator, Chris Jacobs should know this better than most, but I’m not holding my breath for him to buck his party line and stand up for what’s right after he recently voted against providing New Yorkers paid sick leave during the pandemic. The people of NY-27 have gone years without real, independent leadership; they cannot afford to be abandoned by the government in their darkest hour."

Health Department daily briefing:

• As of 2 p.m.
  • Genesee County received one new positive case of COVID-19, for a total of 141 positive cases.
    • The positive case resides in Batavia.
    • The positive case is in their 60s.
    • The newly positive individual was not on quarantine prior to becoming symptomatic.
    • Three of the previous positive cases have recovered and have been released from mandatory isolation.
    • Two of the total active positive cases are hospitalized.
• Orleans County received three new positive cases of COVID-19, for a total of 65 positive cases
  • Two positive cases reside in Albion and one resides in Clarendon.
  • Two individuals are in their 20s, and one individual is in their 70s.
  • One of the newly positive individuals was on quarantine prior to becoming symptomatic.
  • Six of the total active positive cases are hospitalized.
  • One of the new positive individuals is a resident of The Villages of Orleans Health & Rehab.

Orleans County was notified of two additional deaths related to COVID-19. Both individuals were residents of The Villages of Orleans Health & Rehab and both were over the age of 65. We extend our deepest condolences to the families and friends of these individuals during this difficult time.

Video submitted by Principal Tim McArdle.

Jane Burk reads "Reflections on Man" from "Hamlet" by William Shakespeare. Burk is a member of Batavia Players.

Briefing

The 17th birthday of Madison Fix was celebrated with a parade of Jeep Wranglers on River Street in Batavia yesterday followed by a visit by the Wrangler Club to Premier Genesee to wave hello to residents of the facility.

Photos submitted by Renee Wapniewski.

David Penepent, a Mortuary Dcience professor, has been volunteering his time, along with two of his students, in New York City since April to assist with handling the remains of COVID-19 victims.

The 57-year-old Batavia native started "Hands with a Heart" to transport the bodies of those who have died from overwhelmed funeral homes to other states in behalf of grieving families.

Penepent was featured today in a story in The New York Times.

“It’s a godsend,” said Joe Neufeld Sr., the owner of the Gerard J. Neufeld Funeral Home in Queens, which is just blocks from Elmhurst Hospital Center in one of the hardest hit areas in the country. “He came out of nowhere to save us.”

This Saturday, staff from H.E. Turner, including Steve Johnson, who teaches with Penepent at SUNY Canton in the Mortuary Science Program, will join Penepent's team to help with the effort.

"We will be doing so voluntarily and without charge to the state, funeral homes, or families affected," Johnson said.

New Cases

• As of 2 p.m.
  • Genesee County received 10 new positive cases of COVID-19 for a total of 140 positive cases.
    • Five positive cases reside in Batavia, two reside in Darien, one resides in Alabama, one resides in Pavilion, and one resides in Pembroke.
    • One individual is less than 20 years of age, two individuals are in their 30s, six individuals are in their 40s, and one individual is in their 50s.
    • One of the positive individuals was on quarantine prior to becoming symptomatic.
    • Two of the previous positive cases have recovered and have been released from mandatory isolation.
    • Two of the total active positive cases are hospitalized.
• Genesee County has received word of one new death notification related to COVID-19. The individual was hospitalized and under the age of 65. Our condolences to the family and friends of this individual during this difficult time.
• Orleans County received four new positive cases of COVID-19 for a total of 62 positive cases
  • Four positive cases reside in Albion.
  • One individual is in their 20s, one individual is in their 40s, one individual is in their 60s and one individual is in their 80s.
  • One of the newly positive individuals was on quarantine prior to becoming symptomatic.
  • Four of the previous positive cases has recovered and has been released from mandatory isolation.
  • Five of the total active positive cases are hospitalized.

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

Non-county Public Regulated Facilities

• In an effort to provide additional information on state and federally regulated facilities in both Genesee and Orleans counties, the health department will be adding some additional layers to our mapping tool later this week that will break out community versus (non-county regulated) public facility spread cases. In addition, we will be adding a chart to our websites and daily briefings that will detail the number of cases and deaths in the regulated facilities in our counties.

OPERATIONAL UPDATES

Testing

• There is still limited swabbing available in Genesee and Orleans Counties. 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.

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:
  • Care + Crisis Helpline is available 24/7 at 585-283-5200 or text "Talk" to 741741;
  • New Yorkers can call the COVID-19 Emotional Support Hotline at 1-844-863-9314 for mental health counseling.

For the Class of 2020, the traditional rites of spring, such as prom, and commencement ceremonies jeopardized, parents and teachers have been looking for other ways to celebrate the accomplishments of this year's graduates.

Yesterday, staff and teachers at Batavia High School drove to the homes of seniors and installed law signs to help recognize those on the cusp of receiving diplomas.

The effort was initiated by Kristen Fix.

Dan Street shared this photo of an eagle he spotted off of Transit Road in Stafford.

Batavia PD detectives are looking for the public's assistance in locating Nasir Nathan in relation to an alleged gang assault that occurred on Highland Park on Oct. 4.

The Oct. 4 incident lead to the arrest of Riley B. Mayer, who pled guilty to assault in December, and the arrest of Terrance Falk in December.

There is a warrant out for Nathan's arrest.

Det. Eric Hill said there is no apparent direct connection to the April 9 hit-and-run that led to the arrest of Devon Wright last night, but that the individuals involved in both incidents know each other and there have been ongoing disputes.

Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact the Batavia Police Department at (585) 345-6350, the confidential tip line at (585) 345-6370, or online here.

Devon Wright, 18, of Batavia, has been arrested in connection with a hit-and-run accident on Highland Park the night of April 8 that sent one person to the hospital.

Wright allegedly resisted arrest and damaged property at Batavia PD headquarters after being taken into custody following a traffic stop last night.

Investigators say that Wright intentionally drove a silver sedan into the victim and then fled the scene leaving the car in the front yard of a residence on Highland Park.

He is charged with: attempted assault, 1st; resisting arrest; obstructing governmental administration, 2nd; criminal mischief, 4th; criminal nuisance, 2nd; and harassment, 2nd.

Judge David Saleh in an electronic arraignment to maintain social distancing ordered Wright held on $10,000 cash bail, $20,000 bond, or $50,000 partially secured bond. His return date to Batavia City Court is May 18 at 1 p.m.

Batavia PD thanks the public for tips leading to the arrest of Wright.

Previous stories about Wright:

• Law and Order: Highland Park teen accused of burglary, criminal mischief and assault at Main Street gas station
• Nov. 2019 Law and Order
• February 2020 Law and Order
• Highland Park teen accused of stealing cash and harassing minor

Photos submitted by Jason Smith, taken in his back yard in Batavia.

Minor League Baseball appears to be ready to accept a deal with MLB, Baseball America reports, that would eliminate 42 franchises and wipe out short-season Single-A baseball, ending an 81-year history of the New York Penn League that began in Batavia.

With a pandemic threatening the 2020 baseball season, Dwyer Stadium may have hosted its last professional baseball game on Sept. 6, 2019.

We don't know yet, of course. If there is 2020 baseball, the new deal -- which BA indicates isn't final yet -- wouldn't take effect until 2021.

There's no indication in the article how team owners would be compensated for the loss of their properties. The Batavia Muckdogs are owned by the NYPL but the Genesee County Baseball Club, a community group, and the Rochester Red Wings still have a financial stake in the team.