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There are three new positive tests for people in Genesee County for COVID-19, the Health Department is reporting this afternoon, bringing the total of positive cases reported in the county since the pandemic reached our community to 80.

Earlier today, the Health Department reported the county's second COVID-19-related death, a person over age 65 living in the central part of the county.

There are currently 99 people in mandatory quarantine and 37 people recovered. A total of 48 of the positive cases are among people age 50 and younger, including three under age 20.

There are now 11 positive cases at the Buffalo Federal Detention Facility in Batavia, an increase of six since Saturday.

According to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the new cases are:

• Two 21-year-old Salvadoran nationals, and a 35-year-old Dominican national;
• A 24-year-old Indian national, a 41-year-old Haitian national, and a 30-year-old Guatemalan national;
• A 33-year-old Guatemalan national;
• A 62-year-old Pakistani national, a 29-year-old Somali national, a 37-year-old Honduran national and a 31-year-old Honduran national;

There are no new cases since yesterday at the Veterans Hospital in Batavia.

Contrary to some social media comments, Premier Genesee in Batavia reports no positive test cases to date.

There is one person in treatment and isolation at UMMC.

O-AT-KA Milk Products in Batavia, where some employees have expressed concern about positive cases among their coworkers, posted a statement on social media about its efforts to keep employees safe:

We applaud the recent measures taken by Governor Cuomo to stop the spread of the coronavirus and flatten the curve!

At O-AT-KA Milk Products, we are dedicated to ensuring that our employees, business partners, and community stay safe, healthy and supported. In addition to our normal strict hygiene standards, we have put in place additional safety measures in our plant and office. Despite being difficult to come by, we made it a priority to provide face masks to everyone working at O-AT-KA. As of April 13th, we have supplied every employee across our facility with face coverings.

People are at the heart of our business and it is because of them that we are able to ensure the stability of our national food supply chain.

Below is the full written briefing from the Genesee/Orleans Health Department:

• As of 2 p.m. today:
  • Genesee County received three new positive cases of COVID-19 for a total of 80 positive cases.
    • The three positive cases reside in Batavia.
    • One individual is in their 20s, one individual is in their 40s, and one individual is in their 90s.
    • The positive individuals were not on quarantine prior to becoming symptomatic.
    • Two of the total active positive cases are hospitalized.
    • Genesee County received notification of the second COVID-19 related death.
• Orleans County: Three new positive cases of COVID-19 for a total of 33.
  • Of the new positive cases today, one lives in Ridgeway, one lives in Gaines, and one lives in Murray.
  • The ages include 1 individual is in their 40s, one individual is in their 70s and one individual is in their 90s.
  • Two have recovered and have been released from mandatory isolation.
  • Three of the total active positive cases are hospitalized.
• Due to the current limited swabbing kits, there continue to be guidelines in place for primary care providers to order COVID-19 swabbing. This is based upon screening for high risk categories. Contact your primary care provider first to discuss symptoms and the ability to be swabbed.
• Contact tracing has been initiated for all new cases. Known contacts have already been placed under mandatory quarantine and will be swabbed if indicated (if symptoms become present).
• 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!

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

Jane Burk, a member of Batavia Players, reads "The Road Not Taken" by Robert Frost.

Press release:

"It is with great sadness that I am reporting the second confirmed death related to COVID-19 in Genesee County” said Paul Pettit, Public Health director of Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments.

The individual was over the age of 65 and resided in the central part of Genesee County.

“Due to privacy issues, I will not be releasing further information about this individual. Our deepest condolences go out to the family and friends of the patient,” Pettit said.

The Genesee County Health Department is conducting contact tracing. Close contacts have been notified of their potential exposure to COVID-19, and have been placed under mandatory quarantine to monitor for symptoms.

Individuals under mandatory quarantine who develop symptoms will be swabbed. The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments are following guidance provided by the NYSDOH and CDC.

“As COVID-19 continues to spread within our communities, we must do everything we can to keep each other safe,” Pettit said. “Please remain home unless you are an essential worker or need to purchase essential household items. In that case, designate one household member to do the shopping. We must work together as a community to stop the spread.”

UPDATE 12:22 p.m.: In response to questions from The Batavian, Mari Hamilton, a public information officer for the Health Department, said the victim was previously among those reported in mandatory isolation and had been hospitalized.

Daily COVID-19 briefing:

• As of 2 p.m. today:
  • Genesee County received one new positive case of COVID-19 for a total of 77 positive cases.
    • The individual resides in Batavia.
    • The individual is in their 30s.
    • The positive individual was not on quarantine prior to becoming symptomatic.
    • Two of the positive cases are hospitalized.
• Orleans County: Twp new positive cases of COVID-19 for a total of 31
  • Of the new positive cases today, one lives in Albion and one lives in Barre
  • The ages include one individual is under 20 and one individual is in their 80s.
  • Three have recovered and have been released from mandatory isolation
  • Three of the positive cases are hospitalized.
• Mapping Update: Today we are adding Wyoming County mapping. Genesee Orleans County will not be making any statement related to Wyoming County. Please contact the Wyoming County Health Department for any inquiries.
• Due to the current limited swabbing kits, there continue to be guidelines in place for primary care providers to order COVID-19 swabbing. This is based upon screening for high risk categories. Contact your primary care provider first to discuss symptoms and ability to be swabbed.
• Contact tracing has been initiated for all new cases. Known contacts have already been placed under mandatory quarantine and will be swabbed if indicated (if symptoms become present).
• 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!

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

Paul Spiotta, the voice of the Muckdogs and a member of Batavia Players, reads "Casey at the Bat" by Ernest Lawrence Thayer, in memory of his friend, local sports icon, the late Wayne Fuller.

"This is Me," performed by participants in the Sound Foundation and the Harvester 56 Theater in Batavia.

Sound Foundations Voice Studio is a private studio run by Wendy Williams. She trains both classical and music-theater style singers, including children and adult beginners. Five of her high school students placed this year in an international young classical artists competition and sang at Carnegie Hall. 

Williams is currently conducting lessons remotely and she decided to use the remote learning tools to bring the class together in a fun and uplifting project.

The song is from the musical "The Greatest Showman."

The Veterans Administration reports that two staff members at the Batavia VA hospital have tested positive for COVID-19.

Previously the VA reported two patients had also tested positive, and that number has not changed, though it's unclear when the positive tests for all four individuals were received.

Individuals associated with federal and state facilities in Genesee County who test positive are part of the Health Department's countywide count. That count is currently 76 positive cases (one more than the reported yesterday (the Health Department will release more information later today) with 50 active cases and 25 recoveries).

There is also a new case reported at the Buffalo Federal Detention Facility in Batavia, bringing the total to eight.

The two VA staff members are in home isolation, a VA spokeswoman said in a statement.

No further information about the two staff members would be released, said the spokeswoman, citing privacy concerns.

As for the two patients who tested positive, she said, "Precautionary measures have been taken to mitigate the risk of transmission to other patients and staff, as the veterans are being cared for in respiratory isolation by staff who are specially trained on Centers for Disease Control (CDC) treatment guidelines, including the use of personal protective equipment and infection control techniques.

"(The) VA is screening veterans and staff who present with symptoms of fever, cough, and shortness of breath who meet the CDC criteria for evaluation of COVID-19 infection. Per CDC guidance and VA protocols, patients known to be at risk for a COVID-19 infection are immediately isolated to prevent potential spread to others."

Individuals entering the VA facilities in Batavia are being prescreened, according to the statement.

Daily Health Department Briefing:

New Cases

• As of 2 p.m. today:
  • Genesee County received two new positive case of COVID-19 for a total of 76 positive cases.
    • The two individuals reside in Batavia.
    • One of the individuals is in their 30s, one individual is in their 90s.
    • One of our positive cases has been identified as an Erie County resident. Therefore, our numbers have decreased by one.
    • None of the positive individuals were on quarantine prior to becoming symptomatic.
• Orleans County: One new positive cases of COVID-19 for a total of 29.
  • Of the positive cases over the weekend, including today, we have two from Lyndonville, one from Murray, one from Albion and one from Ridgeway.
  • The ages include one individual in their 30s, two individuals in their 50s, one individual in their 60s and one individual in their 70s.
  • One more person has recovered and has been released from mandatory isolation.
  • None of the positive individuals were on quarantine prior to becoming symptomatic.
• Mapping Update: Today we are adding the ages and the general area of where individuals who tested positive reside in the same format as our positive cases. You will now be able to see the cumulative age breakdown of the confirmed cases on the map as well as the breakdown by choosing the individual county from the upper right drop down box. Monday map updates will include the weekend data.
• Due to the current limited swabbing kits, there continue to be guidelines in place for primary care providers to order COVID-19 swabbing. This is based upon screening for high risk categories. Contact your primary care provider first to discuss symptoms and ability to be swabbed.
• Contact tracing has been initiated for all new cases. Known contacts have already been placed under mandatory quarantine and will be swabbed if indicated (if symptoms become present).
• 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!

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

OPERATIONAL UPDATES

State of Emergency To Be Extended

• Due to the Governor’s Executive Order Dated April 12 extending the Disaster Emergency through May 12, both counties are extending the State of Emergency for the same time period.
• Because COVID-19 is circulating locally, we can’t stress enough how important social distancing is and that EVERYONE needs to take this seriously and stay home! It is your social and civic responsibility to protect yourselves and others.
  • If you must shop for essentials, such as food, necessary household supplies or prescriptions, shop solo! Wear a face covering and wash or sanitize your hands frequently.
• Using cloth face coverings are recommended to protect others from you. Remember to wear one when you are out in public. You will need to be careful removing them from your face so as not to be exposed to any germs from the outside. Once removed, make sure you wash them in hot water, if able, and dry in a hot dryer. Wash your hands immediately after removing the mask. For more information about masks go to reliable sights such as the CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html

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
  • Head Space: A mindfulness app called Headspace is offering some meditations to listen to for free to ease minds in such a stressful time. The app is free to download and includes meditations, sleep, and movement exercises to help with the varying emotions you may be feeling. The app does include in-app purchases.

Briefing

Batavia PD is asking the public's assistance in locating Devon Wright, a person of interest in a car vs. pedestrian collision on Highland Park on Wednesday night.

The department has previously said this is being treated as a criminal investigation.

Anyone with information in reference to his whereabouts may contact Detective Matt Wojtaszczyk at 585-345-6357 or the Batavia Police Department at 585-345-6350, the confidential tip line at 585-345-6370.

Previously: Pedestrian reportedly hit by car on Highland Park

Jessica Hill, an artist in residence with Batavia Players, reads William Shakespeare's Sonnet 116.

Three people, including a Le Roy resident, were injured when a National Grid line repair truck and a box truck collided at 3:40 a.m. at Brick House Corners in Pembroke.

The Sheriff's Office reports that a 2011 Freightliner box truck driven by Kimaly Satchel-el, 33, of Lafayette Avenue, Syracuse, was southbound on Route 77. Luis H. Welch, 32, of West Main Street, Le Roy, was driving eastbound on Route 5 in a 2014 Freightliner utility truck. 

Satchel-el allegedly failed to yield the right-of-way at the intersection of Route 5 and Route 77 and struck the utility truck.

Upon impact, the box truck rotated counterclockwise and came to rest facing north off of the north should of Route 5.  

The utility truck traveled off the southeast corner of the intersection, coming to rest facing southeast.

Satchel-el was extricated from the truck by volunteer firefighters. He was unconscious at the time of the extrication and sustained multiple injuries and was transported by Mercy EMS to ECMC. His passenger, Candace R. Keith, 21, of Brooklyn, was also transported to ECMC for treatment of injuries.

Welch was taken to UMMC for evaluation of a shoulder injury.

Pembroke, Indian Falls, East Pembroke, along with Mercy EMS responded to the scene. The investigation is continuing and is being conducted by Deputy Nicholas Chamoun, and Crash Management Team members Sgt. Jason Saile and Deputy Kyle Krzemein.

Photos and additional reporting by Alecia Kaus/Video News Service​.

Press release from AAA:

Today’s national average price for a gallon of gasoline is $1.86, down 7 cents since last week. One year ago, the price was $2.82. The New York State average is $2.25 – down 5 cents from last week. A year ago, the NYS average was $2.82.

AAA Western and Central New York (AAA WCNY) reports the following averages:

• Batavia -- $2.31 (down 7 cents since last week)
• Buffalo -- $2.31 (down 2 cents since last week)
• Ithaca -- $2.27 (down 5 cents since last week)
• Rochester -- $2.24 (down 3 cents since last week)
• Rome -- $2.24 (down 5 cents since last week)
• Syracuse -- $2.19 (down 5 cents since last week)
• Watertown -- $2.24 (down 5 cents since last week)

Gas prices continue to be unusually low. Two reasons for this dip in prices: COVID-19 – demand is historically low, and the oil price war between Russia and Saudi Arabia drove oil prices down. Oil prices directly impact pump prices.

Some gas stations across the United States are selling gas for less than $1 per gallon – the Native American reservations locally are doing this. Gas prices are higher in NYS due to three main factors: taxes, no refinery in New York State, and delivery challenges.

Typically, at this time of year, refineries would be switching over to summer-blend fuel, which is more expensive to make, and demand would be rising with Easter/spring break travel – but this is a very unique situation given the extremely low demand, no travel, and refineries stalling production.

From GasBuddy:

"As expected, and for the seventh straight week, the national average moved considerably lower, as well as gas prices in every state as retail prices continue to play catch up to the dramatic decline in market prices in recent weeks. And good news for consumers- contrary to popular belief, an OPEC deal over the weekend to cut oil production will actually not have a near-term impact on gasoline prices -- not even one bit," said Patrick DeHaan, head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy.

"Establishing a floor on ultra-low oil prices will hopefully keep U.S. oil production online instead of bankrupting producers. The aim is exactly that -- keep production online -- which will keep prices affordable going forward, instead of ultra-low prices shutting in oil production, leading to a slingshot in gas prices years from now.

"Going back to gas prices, I expect prices to continue moderating for now, as gasoline demand appears to remain near 50-year lows."

Also, the drop in fuel taxes, tolls mean less funding for roads maintenance

For our continuing National Poetry Month series, Bill Kauffman reads "Manifesto: The Mad Farmer Liberation Front," by Wendell Berry.

A high wind warning is in effect starting at 10 a.m. and lasting until 2 a.m., Tuesday.

The National Weather Service predicts southwest winds of 40 to 50 mph with gusts up to 70 mph.

"This will be a dangerous situation," the NWS states. "Very strong winds will result in numerous downed trees and power lines. Extensive power outages and property damage are expected. Travel will be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles.

"People should avoid being outside in forested areas and around trees and branches. If possible, remain in the lower levels of your home during the windstorm, and avoid windows. Use caution if you must drive."

A shed fire, with flames showing, is reported at 91 Myrtle St., Le Roy.

Le Roy fire, Le Roy ambulance, Bergen fire and City fire's FAST Team dispatched.

UPDATE 8:03 p.m.: Le Roy's chief has put Bergen back in service.

Press release:

The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments have received three more COVID-19 cases. Orleans has two new cases and Genesee has one.  Contact tracing has been initiated.  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.

We encourage everyone to continue social distancing and staying home. If you need to go out, for essential needs, only one person should be running those errands so as not to risk further exposure.

This is not a time for gatherings or play dates or date night. The life you save may be you or a loved one. We can do this together -- we are one day closer to this being a memory.

Grandma Carol Sliker, of East Pembroke, was sad about missing Easter Sunday with her grandkids, so the Sliker family organized an impromptu private Easter Parade just for grandma.

Photos submitted by Brittany Riley.