BATH – The Steuben County Public Health Department received notification that five Steuben County residents tested positive for COVID-19. This brings the total to 5,481 confirmed cases, 90 of which are currently active.
The individuals are residents of the:
• City of Corning
• City of Hornell
• Town of Caton
• Town of Corning
• Town of Prattsburgh
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:
• Two individuals had contact with previously reported Steuben positives
• Two individuals are associated with the following schools: Alfred University and University of Buffalo
In addition, the individuals reported visiting the following locations that could pose an exposure risk within their investigation timeframes:
• 2/14 – Station 26 in Cohocton
Today’s age groups for the positives are as follows:
• 10 – 19 years: 1
• 30 – 39 years: 3
• 70 – 79 years: 1
“Thankfully, cases are remaining at an all-time low for 2021,” said Public Health Director, Darlene Smith. “Prevention measures must continue to be followed to keep this trend going and to protect loved ones. Remember, a person is only known to be positive after getting tested, so if you experience any COVID-19 symptoms or have been exposed, get tested.”
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.
Month: February 2021
February 23, 2021
From State Teachers Union NYSUT:
New York State United Teachers today strongly rebuked the federal government’s decision to mandate that states administer standardized tests this school year.
“In a year that has been anything but standard, mandating that students take standardized tests just doesn’t make sense,” NYSUT President Andy Pallotta said. “As the educators in the classroom, we have always known that standardized tests are not the best way to measure a child’s development, and they are especially unreliable right now. We need to ensure that our students who have been hit hardest during the pandemic receive the support they need. Sizing up students with inequitable and stressful exams is not the solution.”
NYSUT previously encouraged the state to request a federal waiver of grades 3–8 and high school testing requirements. Thousands of comments were submitted to the state by educators demanding a waiver of testing requirements this year.
“We have grave concerns that standardized tests at any level can be administered in any sort of equitable way,” NYSUT Executive Vice President Jolene T. DiBrango said. “Students deserve better. Regardless of what flexibility the federal government provides, no student should be forced to come to school in person just to take a test.”
February 23, 2021
ASHABAUGH HILL, HORNELLSVILLE, NY – These two deer stopped by the radio station recently.
February 23, 2021
PALMESANO AGAIN URGING GOV. CUOMO’S EMERGENCY POWERS BE REMOVED
Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,C,I-Corning) joined his colleagues in the Senate and Assembly Minority Conferences to call, once again, for the governor’s emergency powers to be revoked. “After numerous pleas and attempts to remove the governor’s expanded authority, it’s time for our Democratic colleagues in the Senate and Assembly Majority to join us and act to finally rescind the governor’s emergency powers and restore checks and balances to our state government.”
“After the scathing nursing home report by Attorney General James that stated the Cuomo administration under-reported nursing home deaths by as much as 50 percent and the revelation that the Cuomo administration purposely withheld data from the Legislature, media and the public, enough is enough. Rescinding the Governor emergency powers is necessary but just a first step. It is also imperative that independent investigations be conducted by the Department of Justice and the NYS Attorney General’s Office to investigate for any wrongdoing and for the Legislature to conduct bi-partisan hearings using subpoena power to compel testimony.”
“Governing by Executive Order has not worked and is certainly no longer needed. So I urge my colleagues to join us in taking this long, overdue and necessary step to restore legislative authority and remove the Governor’s emergency powers.”
February 23, 2021
Spirited games tonight in Academic All Stars. Though several teams played short due to conflicts with sports and theatre arts, the overall results were exciting. Would you like to see a match? Sign on next week to our streaming links which are posted at:
https://elearning.gstboces.org/allstars/
LARGE SCHOOL DIVISION
Corning Black 45 – Hornell 22
Corning Gold 39 – Bath/Haverling 21
MEDIUM LARGE SCHOOL DIVISION
Naples 44 – Addison 25
Canisteo-Greenwood win – Campbell-Savona – forfeit
MEDIUM SMALL SCHOOL DIVISION
Alfred-Almond – BYE
Avoca 25 – Arkport 21
SMALL SCHOOL DIVISION
Prattsburgh BYE
And Canaseraga edged out Bradford by 2 points
February 23, 2021
O’MARA, GOP COLLEAGUES MOVE AGAIN TO END CUOMO’S EMERGENCY EXECUTIVE POWERS
Senate Republicans have acted 15 times to highlight failures of ‘government by executive order’
Albany, N.Y., State Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C,I-Big Flats) yesterday joined Senate and Assembly Republican colleagues at the Capitol to renew their call and advance legislation to bring an end to Governor Andrew Cuomo’s unlimited, unilateral COVID-19 emergency executive powers.
At a news conference held Monday afternoon, Republican legislators called on the Democrat supermajorities in the Senate and Assembly to act as Senate Democrats prepared to approve legislation establishing a new 10-member Commission made up of eight Democrats and only two Republicans to oversee, not straight-out revoke, the governor’s COVID-19 executive order powers.
O’Mara and his colleagues also renewed their calls for an independent investigation into the Cuomo administration’s handling of the COVID-19 response in New York nursing homes and long-term care facilities where upwards of 15,000 New Yorkers have died.
O’Mara, who serves as the top Republican on the Senate Investigations Committee, said, “It’s clear that Governor Cuomo has abused his emergency powers, thwarted legislative oversight, engaged in a cover-up and has extorted at least one member of the Legislature who has dared to speak out. But the Senate Democrat supermajority still remains afraid to take any meaningful action to immediately, fully and effectively restore the Legislature’s decision- making authority and responsibility. Now they want to hide behind yet another Commission so they can go on avoiding responsibility and continue protecting the Cuomo administration.”
Since last May, the Senate Republican Conference has advanced a legislative amendment 15 times to implement a straight repeal of the Cuomo emergency powers — including a dozen times this year alone.
Republican efforts have been rejected along party lines each time.
Since the onset of the pandemic ten months ago, when Cuomo was first granted the emergency authorization, the governor has issued dozens of Executive Orders that have allowed him to unilaterally change hundreds of state laws, as well as implement rules and regulations and make spending decisions, without legislative approval.
O’Mara said, “We will not stop in this effort to restore legislative checks and balances to New York State
government. It’s long past time to end state government by Cuomo executive order. Endless executive orders are a recipe for failure and are failing in fundamental ways. Governor Cuomo can no longer be allowed to just issue another directive or another unfunded state mandate out of Albany and callously disregard local input. We shouldn’t allow it to keep going unchecked and risk our upstate regions, workers, businesses, taxpayers, and communities paying an enormous price today and well into the future. The Legislature’s
decision-making authority must be restored as a fundamentally strong, locally based voice in state government.”
The governor’s actions have now gone well beyond the necessary scope of the COVID-19 response, O’Mara said. Republican efforts would put New York’s disaster emergency control policy in line with other states that limit an Executive’s powers to 30 days and require legislative approval for extending them.
February 22, 2021
STATEMENT FROM NYS DEM. CHAIR ON LATEST POLL RESULTS ON GOVERNOR
Chairman says latest polling numbers reaffirm Governor Cuomo’s Broad-Based Support
LONG ISLAND, NY: New York State Democratic Party Chairman Jay S. Jacobs has released the following statement: “The latest poll results out today with the Governor at 57% reaffirms, once again, that Governor Cuomo enjoys broad-based support among New Yorkers. In spite of relentless political attacks, the people of the State, and Democrats overwhelmingly, understand that it is Governor Cuomo who provides the leadership and management that helps New Yorkers continue to weather the worst health crisis in recent history. It is time for everyone to refocus on the task in front of us: getting every New Yorker vaccinated and reopening the New York economy as safely and quickly as possible.”
February 22, 2021
From Congressman Reed:
Today, Congressman Tom Reed (NY-23) and his House Republican Ways and Means Committee colleagues sent a letter to House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard Neal (MA-01) demanding an immediate hearing to investigate New York nursing home deaths. The letter was joined by Ways and Means Republican Leader Kevin Brady (TX-08) and Ways & Means Health Subcommittee Republican Leader Devin Nunes (CA-22).
In New York, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo’s disastrous March 15th order knowingly sent thousands of COVID-19 positive patients back into nursing homes across the state, which spread the virus and killed thousands of New York’s parents and grandparents.
In January, the New York State Office of the Attorney General’s report stated that nursing home deaths had been undercounted by “approximately 50 percent.” The death toll has now risen to approximately 15,000 souls.
In February, Governor Cuomo’s top aide then admitted that numbers were not accurately reported out of fear that the accurate numbers would be “used against us by federal prosecutors.”
“Given the committee’s jurisdiction over Medicare reimbursement to skilled nursing facilities and continued role in providing COVID-19 financial aid to states, it is imperative that we use all the tools at the Committee’s disposal to determine if the state of New York deliberately provided false data to the federal government and the public,” said the Ways & Means Republicans.
The request for an investigation comes after Congressman Reed provided committee Democrats with the opportunity to add to their partisan $1.9 trillion spending bill an amendment to ensure honest COVID-19 information from states. The amendment would have specifically required governors to attest that the data their states have been reporting is accurate now and moving forward. The amendment was rejected by every single Democrat on the committee.
The House Ways and Means Committee has oversight of Medicare reimbursements to skilled nursing facilities.
See Letter Below:
February 22, 2021
Chairman Richard Neal
Ways & Means Committee
1102 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Chairman Neal,
We write to request you schedule a full committee hearing in the next 15 days on the integrity of the nursing home COVID-19 deaths data reported by the State of New York.
Since last summer, committee Republicans, led by Mr. Reed, have been raising alarms about the decision made by several governors, including New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, to require nursing homes to admit or readmit COVID -19 positive patients from hospitals.1,2 The tragedy of the deaths that resulted from these fatal decisions have been compounded by a lack of transparent, accurate data.
A January 28, 2021, report from the New York State Office of the Attorney General found “… preliminary data for [a sample of] 62 facilities [for the week of March 1 to the date of the facility’s response, which varied from the week of April 12 to July 19] suggests that COVID-19 resident deaths associated with nursing homes in New York state appear to be undercounted by [the New York State Department of Health] by approximately 50 percent.”3 Exposed by the New York Attorney General, Governor Cuomo’s administration confirmed the findings, with the Associated Press reporting, “[t]he surprise development, after months of the state refusing to divulge its true numbers, showed that at least 12,743 long-term care residents died of the virus as of Jan. 19, far greater than the official tally of 8,505 on that day, cementing New York’s toll as one of the highest in the nation.”4
On February 11, 2021, Mr. Reed gave committee Democrats the opportunity to add to their partisan, ostensibly COVID-19-focused $1.9 trillion spending bill legislative language to ensure honest COVID-19 information from states. The amendment would have required governors to attest that the data their states have been reporting is accurate and would remain that way moving forward. The amendment was rejected by every single Democrat on the committee.
1 https://gop-waysandmeans.house.gov/nunes-opening-statement-at-subcommittee-hearing-on-examining-the-covid-19-nursing-home-crisis/
2 https://reed.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3192
3 https://ag.ny.gov/sites/default/files/2021-nursinghomesreport.pdf
4 https://apnews.com/article/new-york-nursing-home-coronavirus-deaths-a6c214f4467976efdfca9ba75f8adaef
Mere hours later, the New York Post reported “Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s top aide privately apologized to Democratic lawmakers for withholding the state’s nursing home death toll from COVID-19 — telling them ‘we froze’ out of fear that the true numbers would ‘be used against us’ by federal prosecutors.”5 If this reporting is accurate, then the blatant admission of a cover-up is shocking.
Given the committee’s jurisdiction over Medicare reimbursement to skilled nursing facilities and continued role in providing COVID-19 financial aid to states, it is imperative that we use all the tools at the Committee’s disposal to determine if the state of New York deliberately provided false data to the federal government and the public.
We hope this can be an area of bipartisanship given your personal concern with nursing home reporting. In a letter to the then-Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Seema Verma, you wrote, “…there are reports of insufficient survey activity and unreliable data across nursing homes – the very oversight activities necessary to keep patients safe” and that there was a “…clear congressional imperative for nursing facility surveys and reliable data, as well as the concerns for families and patients around the country about long-term care facilities and COVID-19…”6
Given the urgency of our request, we ask you confirm the scheduling of a full committee hearing examining the accuracy of New York’s nursing home COVID-19 deaths data reporting by Wednesday, February 24, 2021. We look forward to your prompt reply.
Sincerely,
__________________________
Kevin Brady
Republicn Leader
Committee on Ways and Means
________________________
Tom Reed
Committee on Ways and Means
__________________________
Devin Nunes
Republican Leader
Subcommittee on Health
Committee on Ways and Means
5 https://nypost.com/2021/02/11/cuomo-aide-admits-they-hid-nursing-home-data-from-feds/
6
https://waysandmeans.house.gov/sites/democrats.waysandmeans.house.gov/files/documents/07%2 010%2020_COVID_SNF_Survey%20and%20Data%20Letter%20to%20CMS_FINAL.pdf
February 22, 2021
A 76-year-old female is the 55th Allegany County resident to pass way as a result of COVID-19.
The Allegany County Department of Health (ACDOH) is sad to report to our residents and community there has been one additional COVID-19 related death bringing our total to 55. She was a 76-year-old female who was unable to overcome her illness despite aggressive medical treatment. We extend our deepest condolences to her family, and we ask that you respect the family’s privacy during this difficult time.
It is imperative that Allegany County residents continue to wear a mask, follow social/physical distancing protocols when possible, and wash your hands often to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
If you have general COVID-19 questions, you may also call the Allegany County Department of Health at (585)268-9250 for more information.
GOVERNOR CUOMO UPDATES NEW YORKERS ON STATE’S PROGRESS DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC
5,804 Patient Hospitalizations Statewide
1,148 Patients in the ICU; 780 Intubated
Statewide Positivity Rate is 4.33%
89 COVID-19 Deaths in New York State Yesterday
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today updated New Yorkers on the state’s progress during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. It is important to note that data, including test results and hospital rates, reported early in the week are often not completely reflective of the current situation due to lower discharges and testing volume over the weekend. Data trends over a period of time, such as using 7-day averages, are a preferred metric.
“Thanks to the hard work and dedication of New Yorkers, we’re beating back COVID more and more every day and that has allowed us to begin reopening different facets of the economy as part of our post-COVID reconstruction,” Governor Cuomo said. “Not only are our hospitalization and infection rates declining, but we’re continuing to build out New York’s already expansive vaccination network to ensure underserved communities are not denied access to this life saving medication. While we’re not out of the woods yet, we have the momentum on our side. As long as we stay united and keep doing what we know works, we will finally defeat this invisible enemy and get back to normal.”
Today’s data is summarized briefly below:
• Test Results Reported – 142,019
• Total Positive – 6,146
• Percent Positive – 4.33%
• 7-Day Average Percent Positive – 3.52%
• Patient Hospitalization – 5,804 (+40)
• Net Change Patient Hospitalization Past Week – -819
• Patients Newly Admitted – 572
• Hospital Counties – 55
• Number ICU – 1,148 (-14)
• Number ICU with Intubation – 780 (-14)
• Total Discharges – 142,724 (+417)
• Deaths – 89
• Total Deaths – 37,941
BATH – The Steuben County Public Health Department received notification that 31 Steuben County residents tested positive for COVID-19 since Friday’s report. This brings the total to 5,476 confirmed cases, 98 of which are currently active.
The individuals are residents of the:
• City of Corning (4)
• City of Hornell
• Town of Bath
• Town of Caton (2)
• Town of Cohocton (2)
• Town of Dansville
• Town of Howard (2)
• Town of Lindley
• Town of Thurston
• Town of Tuscarora (2)
• Village of Addison (2)
• Village of Avoca
• Village of Bath (4)
• Village of Cohocton
• Village of Hammondsport (5)
• 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:
• Seven individuals had contact with previously reported Steuben positives
• Two individuals are associated with Corning, Inc. at the Diesel Plant and Sullivan Park
• Five individuals returned from travel outside New York
In addition, the individuals reported visiting the following locations that could pose an exposure risk within their investigation timeframes:
• 2/14 – Lighthouse Wesleyan Church in Wayland
• 2/15 – Applebee’s in Painted Post
• 2/16 – Sky Gymnastics in Horseheads
• 2/16 – Steuben County 911 Building
• 2/16 – 2/18 – National Grid in Wellsville
• 2/17 – Burger King in Bath
• 2/18 – Saputo Dairy Foods in Friendship
• 2/19 – Siemens Energy in Painted Post
Today’s age groups for the positives are as follows:
• 0 – 9 years: 6
• 10 – 19 years: 6
• 20 – 29 years: 5
• 30 – 39 years: 3
• 40 – 49 years: 4
• 50 – 59 years: 2
• 60 – 69 years: 4
• 70 – 79 years: 1
“There have been four positive unrelated individuals linked with the Lighthouse Wesleyan Church in Wayland this month,” said Public Health Director, Darlene Smith. “The investigations indicate that guidelines are being followed at the church, so no attendees have met the requirements to be quarantined as contacts. However, because of the number of cases, we are strongly recommending that any parishioners or staff at the church who have attended services in the last month monitor for symptoms and consider getting tested.”
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.