Month: February 2021

February 28, 2021

STATEMENT FROM GOVERNOR ANDREW M. CUOMO

“Questions have been raised about some of my past interactions with people in the office.

“I never intended to offend anyone or cause any harm. I spend most of my life at work and colleagues are often also personal friends.

“At work sometimes I think I am being playful and make jokes that I think are funny. I do, on occasion, tease people in what I think is a good natured way. I do it in public and in private. You have seen me do it at briefings hundreds of times. I have teased people about their personal lives, their relationships, about getting married or not getting married. I mean no offense and only attempt to add some levity and banter to what is a very serious business.

“I now understand that my interactions may have been insensitive or too personal and that some of my comments, given my position, made others feel in ways I never intended. I acknowledge some of the things I have said have been misinterpreted as an unwanted flirtation. To the extent anyone felt that way, I am truly sorry about that.

“To be clear I never inappropriately touched anybody and I never propositioned anybody and I never intended to make anyone feel uncomfortable, but these are allegations that New Yorkers deserve answers to.

“That’s why I have asked for an outside, independent review that looks at these allegations.

“Separately, my office has heard anecdotally that some people have reached out to Ms. Bennett to express displeasure about her coming forward. My message to anyone doing that is you have misjudged what matters to me and my administration and you should stop now – period.”

February 28, 2021

STATEMENT FROM BETH GARVEY, SPECIAL COUNSEL AND SENIOR ADVISOR TO THE GOVERNOR

“We will leave all decisions concerning the investigation to be made in the discretion of the independent counsel selected by the Attorney General and Chief Judge.”

February 27, 2021

The Governor now has a third accuser, this is the second time it has been a sexual harassment case. The story was broken by the NY Times on Saturday night in the 6:00 hour, and the governor issued the following statement:

Ms. Bennett was a hardworking and valued member of our team during COVID. She has every right to speak out. “When she came to me and opened up about being a sexual assault survivor and how it shaped her and her ongoing efforts to create an organization that empowered her voice to help other survivors, I tried to be supportive and helpful. Ms. Bennett’s initial impression was right: I was trying to be a mentor to her. I never made advances toward Ms. Bennett nor did I ever intend to act in any way that was inappropriate. The last thing I would ever have wanted was to make her feel any of the things that are being reported. “This situation cannot and should not be resolved in the press; I believe the best way to get to the truth is through a full and thorough outside review and I am directing all state employees to comply with that effort. I ask all New Yorkers to await the findings of the review so that they know the facts before making any judgements. I will have no further comment until the review has concluded.”

STATEMENT FROM BETH GARVEY, SPECIAL COUNSEL AND SENIOR ADVISOR TO THE GOVERNOR

“Ms. Bennett’s concerns were treated with sensitivity and respect and in accordance with applicable law and policy.

“The matter was promptly escalated to special counsel. Ms. Bennett received the transfer she requested to a position in which she had expressed a long-standing interest, and was thoroughly debriefed on the facts which did not include a claim of physical contact or inappropriate sexual conduct. She was consulted regarding the resolution, and expressed satisfaction and appreciation for the way in which it was handled.

“The determination reached based on the information Ms Bennett provided was that no further action was required which was consistent with Ms Bennett’s wishes.

“Although in no way required by law, the Governor has requested an independent review and all staff will cooperate in that endeavor. Former Federal Judge Barbara Jones will lead the review.”

BATH – The Steuben County Public Health Department received notification that 20 Steuben County residents tested positive for COVID-19 and one has been deemed positive. This brings the total to 5,529 confirmed cases and six total deemed positive, 118 of which are currently active.

New York State guidelines state that school students and staff must be deemed positive after 48 hours if they are symptomatic and do not either get tested or receive an alternative diagnosis from their healthcare provider. Steuben County has extended the 48 hours to five days to allow for appropriate follow through with healthcare providers.

The individuals are residents of the:

· City of Corning

· Town of Bath

· Town of Campbell (3)

· Town of Caton (2)

· Town of Cohocton

· Town of Erwin (2)

· Town of Fremont

· Town of Howard

· Town of Thurston

· Town of Wheeler

· Town of Woodhull

· Village of Addison (2)

· Village of Bath (3)

· Village of Wayland

The individuals are isolated and being monitored by the County Health Department. Public Health staff investigated and identified close contacts of the confirmed cases and exposure risks. All those known to have direct contact with the individuals have been notified.

Per CDC and New York State Department of Health guidance, information is collected beginning 48 hours prior to symptom onset or date of test if asymptomatic through the day of the positive test result to identify any potential exposure risks.

The investigations indicate:

· Six individuals had contact with previously reported Steuben positives

· Two individuals are associated with Upstate Farms Cheese in Campbell

· Three individuals are associated with the following schools: Arkport Central, Corning-Painted Post High School, and Wayland-Cohocton Middle School

In addition, the individuals reported visiting the following locations that could pose an exposure risk within their investigation timeframes:

· 2/18, 2/19, 2/21, 2/23 – Tops in Bath

· 2/23 – Hair 2 Dye 4 in Campbell

· 2/23 – 2/23 – Sorge’s Restaurant in Corning

· 2/24 – Corning Museum of Glass

· 2/25 – Bring Your Skin in Bath

Today’s age groups for the positives are as follows:

· 0 – 9 years: 3

· 10 – 19 years: 6

· 20 – 29 years: 2

· 30 – 39 years: 5

· 50 – 59 years: 2

· 60 – 69 years: 1

· 70 – 79 years: 2

“Our numbers are fluctuating somewhat, and we would like to see them continue to trend downward,” said Public Health Director, Darlene Smith. “Please don’t give up on wearing a face covering, social distancing, avoiding large gatherings and obtaining the vaccine if you are currently eligible.”

All residents should continue to monitor themselves for COVID-19 symptoms of fever, cough, shortness of breath, chills or repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, and new loss of taste or smell and contact their healthcare provider for instructions if feeling ill.

For the latest Steuben County updates, visit Steuben County’s website at www.steubencony.org or social media pages: www.facebook.com/SCNYPublicHealth and www.instagram.com/SteubenPublicHealth.

February 26, 2021

BATH, NY – From Sheriff Allard:

Steuben County Sheriff Jim Allard reports that on February 25, 2021, deputies of the Steuben County Sheriff’s Office arrested Richard L. Freeland, age 24, of County Route 2, Addison, New York, following an investigation of a reported broken window in a cell door in the Steuben County Jail. It is alleged that Mr. Freeland, a current inmate at the Steuben County Jail, intentionally broke the window of a cell door and then refused to move from that cell. Mr. Freeland was charged with Criminal Mischief in the Second Degree, a class D Felony, and Obstructing Governmental Administration. Mr. Freeland was arraigned in the Centralized Arraignment Court and returned to the Steuben County Jail.

February 26, 2021

CANASERAGA, Ny – Steuben County Sheriff Jim Allard reports that on February 24, 2021, deputies of the Steuben County Sheriff’s Office arrested Jesse J. Gilmer, age 27, of Main Street, Canaseraga, New York, following an investigation of a reported sexual abuse incident. It is alleged that Mr. Gilmer, while at a residence on County Route 36 in Dansville, New York, forcibly touched the intimate parts of a person under the age of 18, and also subjected that person to a sexual act by forcible compulsion. Mr. Gilmer was charged with Sexual Abuse in the First Degree, a class D Felony, Forcible Touching and Unlawfully Dealing with a Child. Mr. Gilmer was arraigned in the Centralized Arraignment Court and released.

February 26, 2021

From Governor Andrew Cuomo:

GOVERNOR CUOMO ANNOUNCES COVID-19 HOSPITALIZATIONS DROP TO LOWEST LEVEL SINCE DECEMBER 12
5,626 Patient Hospitalizations Statewide
Statewide Daily Positivity Rate is 2.82% – Lowest Since November 21
Statewide 7-Day Positivity Rate is 3.22% – Lowest Since November 26
1,132 Patients in the ICU; 771 Intubated
95 COVID-19 Deaths in New York State Yesterday

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that COVID-19 hospitalizations in New York State dropped to 5,626, the lowest since December 12. The single-day positivity rate dropped to 2.82 percent, the lowest since November 21, and the 7-day average positivity rate dropped to 3.22 percent, the lowest since November 26.

“Defeating COVID-19 is front and center in New York State, and declining positivity rates and hospitalizations are aiding our efforts to vaccinate more New Yorkers, reopen the economy and get to the light at the end of the tunnel,” Governor Cuomo said. “New Yorkers’ resilience and willingness to follow the rules got us through the Spring and the holiday surge, and it is getting us through the winter. We’re vaccinating New Yorkers at a fast clip and expanding our network of distribution sites as fast as we can, but we’re going to need more vaccines to address a large enough portion of the population to defeat this pandemic once and for all. I’m confident that we will get there, but in the meantime New Yorkers need to continue social distancing, wearing masks and washing their hands. We wear masks not just to protect ourselves, but to protect each other, and that spirit will get us through the coming months as we work to beat the COVID beast.”

Today’s data is summarized briefly below:

Test Results Reported – 291,189
Total Positive – 8,204
Percent Positive – 2.82%
7-Day Average Percent Positive – 3.22%
Patient Hospitalization – 5,626 (-77)
Net Change Patient Hospitalization Past Week – -529
Patients Newly Admitted – 697
Hospital Counties – 53
Number ICU – 1,132 (+8)
Number ICU with Intubation – 771 (-3)
Total Discharges – 144,991 (+669)
Deaths – 95
Total Deaths – 38,321

February 26, 2021

ALBANY, NY – During the state legialitve budget hearings held online on Thursday, Assemblyman Phil Palmesano questioned the State Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker, about the number of vaccines that are being distributed to Steuben, Yates, Schuyler and Seneca Counties. Palmesano also brought up the point that the rules are different for residency limitations, in upstate and downstate New York.

February 25, 2021

ALBANY, NY – Assemblywoman Majorie Byrnes, along with numerous other state lawmakers, questioned New York State Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker. Most of the assemblywoman’s questions were not about the nursing home deaths (she made a brief statement on that issue) but instead, Byrnes focused on health care in Rochester, and health care workers right to protest.

February 25, 2021

ALBANY, NY – State Senator Tom O’Mara took the New York State Health Commissioner Dr Howard Zucker to task today, in the state legislative budget hearings. The topic was the nursing home deaths, which according to reports, is up to about 15,000. Several lawmakers told Zucker today, that they have waited months for answers to basic questions. One downstate GOP Assemblyman, Edward Ra, said the governor’s March 25th order definitely made the death toll go up. Dr. Zucker said the real cause of the nursing home covid deaths is, that nursing home staff members accidentally spread Covid-19 in nursing homes to patients, because they (the nursing home staff) did not know how contagious the Covid was at that point. Zucker says, thae constamination by nursing home workers, happened before the governor’s March 25th order.

Senator O’Mara had numerous tough questions for Dr. Zucker, and asked repeated questions about the nursing home numbers and who ordered Zucker to delay geting the information out to the public. O’Mara concluded by telling Dr. Zucker that he (Zucker) had no credibility in today’s testimony. (Audio lasts five minutes.)