Month: April 2021

From The Allegany Co Hope FB Page:

Another COVID-19 death was reported for Allegany County yesterday, first-dose vaccine administration percentages remain stuck for a second day in a row, and a new cases surge of the prior four weeks has either peaked or paused.
This all has occurred over the weekend as we analyze state and partial county data which became available today.
The non-nursing home-related death was recorded by the State Health Department as occurring within the county, bringing the total for all fatalities to date to 84, and the second this month.
The death also boosts the county’s fatalities standing in the state from 19th to 17th, from the top, although the ranking among the 40 Upstate New York counties north of Orange and Dutchess remains at 9th. The county’s population is 52nd out of 62 counties in the state.

April 26, 2021

From Potential Congressional Candidate Joe Sempolinski
Comments On The Democrat Failures That Cost New York A Congressional Seat

Today we learned that New York State would be losing a seat in the United States House of Representatives due to the impact of the 2020 Census. Steuben County Republican Party Chairman Joe Sempolinski – who has been actively exploring a potential run for the 23rd district congressional seat – commented that this loss of representation is a direct result of the failures of Democrat Party policy.

“The Cuomo Democrat machine in Albany has repeatedly failed us and now their failures include a loss of another seat in Congress” Sempolinski stated. “People have been fleeing in droves to states where common sense, conservative policies still hold sway. The failed Socialist ideology of the modern Democratic Party that currently controls both Albany and Washington must be stopped. The sad results that we have seen in New York State will be the fate of the nation unless a Republican majority is restored in Congress in 2022.“

Nevertheless, Sempolinski was undeterred in his exploration of a potential run for Congress.

“We need a Constitutional Common Sense Conservative, who doesn’t know the meaning of the word quit, to represent this region. The response, as I have been out and about listening to the people of the Finger Lakes and Southern Tier, has been tremendous. I will continue listening to the voters. There is no one better equipped to represent this region. I will continue exploring a potential campaign to represent the region that I have spent my entire career fighting for.

We don’t know what this district will look like after the redistricting process is completed. We need to make sure everyone in this region makes their voice heard. We need to continue to have a rural, small town district for the Finger Lakes and Southern Tier.”
Sempolinski was born in Elmira and raised in the Painted Post area. He currently lives in Canisteo with his wife Angie and daughters Joselyn and Madelyn. He is a graduate of what was then Corning – Painted Post West High School and holds degrees from Georgetown University and Yale University. He has served as the chairman of the Steuben County Republican Committee since 2016. He served as the District Director for this congressional district from 2010 to 2015.

The Steuben County Public Health Department received notification of the death of two individuals who had previously tested positive for COVID-19. This brings the total number of COVID-19 related deaths in Steuben County to 174. One individual was a 63 year old male resident of the Town of Caton who died while hospitalized, and the other was a 48 year old male resident of the Town of Cameron.

“COVID-19 continues to cut short the lives of Steuben residents,” said Public Health Director, Darlene Smith. “Our sincere condolences are with the families and friends of the gentlemen that passed. Please help us in honoring their lives by doing everything you can to prevent the spread of COVID in the community.”

The Steuben County Public Health Department received notification that 48 Steuben County residents tested positive for COVID-19 since Friday’s update. This brings the total to 6,479 confirmed cases, 196 of which are currently active.

The individuals are residents of the:

· City of Corning (4)

· City of Hornell (4)

· Town of Bath

· Town of Bradford (2)

· Town of Cameron (3)

· Town of Campbell

· Town of Caton

· Town of Corning (3)

· Town of Erwin (5)

· Town of Greenwood (2)

· Town of Hornby

· Town of Howard (2)

· Town of Lindley (2)

· Town of Pulteney

· Town of Thurston (2)

· Town of Tuscarora (2)

· Town of Wayne

· Village of Avoca (4)

· Village of Bath (5)

· Village of Canisteo

· Village of Riverside

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:

· 18 individuals had contact with a previously reported Steuben positive

· Two individuals are associated with T&R Towing and Environmental Services

· One individual is associated with Alstom

· One individual is an employee at Steuben Center

· Two individuals are associated with correctional facilities located outside Steuben

· One individual is associated with a home health care agency

· 10 individuals are associated with the following schools: Avoca Central, Bradford Central, Campbell-Savona Elementary, Corning-Painted Post High School, BOCES Bush campus, Hammondsport Central, Keuka College, North Hornell Elementary, Tuscarora Elementary

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

· 4/19 – Pregnancy Resource Center in Bath

· 4/19, 4/21 – Sheesley’s Sewer Service in Elmira Heights

· 4/20 – YMCA in Corning

· 4/21 – 4/23 – Jabil in Big Flats

· 4/23 – Storflex in Corning

· 4/24 – Pudgie’s Pizza in Elmira

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

· 0 – 9 years: 4

· 10 – 19 years: 12

· 20 – 29 years: 8

· 30 – 39 years: 7

· 40 – 49 years: 8

· 50 – 59 years: 6

· 60 – 69 years: 1

· 70 – 79 years: 1

· 90 – 99 years: 1

“Half of our cases today are under 30 years old,” said Public Health Director, Darlene Smith. “We cannot stress enough the importance of getting vaccinated as soon you are able. Everyone age 16 and above is currently eligible to receive a vaccine. Having the majority of our population vaccinated will help protect the community and put us in the right direction of ending this pandemic.”

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.

April 26, 2021

The Wellsville Daily and WIVB report, that Allegany County Town of Amity farmer Charles Bares, is objecting to the Allegany County IDA officials who want to use Eminent Domain, to give much of his farm land to a Town of Cuba company. Supporters of the project say, more than 200 jobs will be created.

Click here for story from WIVB.
Click here for story from the Wellsville Daily.

April 26, 2021

HORNELL, NY – Mayor John Buckley is reminding residents that a COVID-19 vaccine clinic will be held at the Hornell Community Arts Center today through Friday from 10am to 2pm each day. Buckley encourages residents to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity.

April 24, 2021

STATEMENTS FROM GOVERNOR CUOMO AND NEW YORK STATE HEALTH COMMISSIONER DR. HOWARD ZUCKER REGARDING RESUMING JOHNSON & JOHNSON VACCINATIONS

Statement from Governor Andrew M. Cuomo:

“World-renowned public health experts from the federal government and our own independent state task force have reviewed the data and reaffirmed that the use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine can resume. The state of New York will resume administration of this vaccine at all of our state-run sites effective immediately. The vaccine is the weapon that will win the war against COVID and allow everyone to resume normalcy, and we have three proven vaccines at our disposal. I urge every New Yorker to take whichever one is available to them first. The sooner we all get vaccinated, the sooner we can put the long COVID nightmare behind us once and for all.”

Statement from State Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker:

“Yesterday evening, following a thorough safety review, the CDC and FDA lifted the recommended pause on the COVID-19 Johnson & Johnson vaccine and said that the United States can resume the use of the vaccine for adults, 18 years of age and older. Following discussions with New York State’s Clinical Advisory Task Force and Governor Cuomo, I recommend that New York State accept the federal recommendations and resume Johnson & Johnson vaccinations effective immediately.

“The data has shown the vaccine’s known benefits far outweigh the potential and extremely rare risks, but we urge anyone with questions about the COVID-19 vaccines to speak with their healthcare provider. We will continue to communicate regular updates and guidance from the federal government to providers and the general public about the Johnson & Johnson vaccine and all vaccines on the market.

“We encourage all New Yorker’s to get whichever vaccine is available to them, as quickly as possible, so we can finally defeat this virus and continue our path towards fully reopening our communities and economy.”

April 23, 2021

HORNELL, NY – From Assemblywoman Marjorie Byrnes: Congratulations Doctor Stephan Greenberg on your retirement after 50 years of distinguished service in ophthalmology. The Hornell community will miss you. Enjoy your retirement.

Left to right: Mike Rogers representing Senator Tom O’mara, Steuben Sheriff Jim Allard, me, Dr. Greenberg and his wife Nurit, Mayor John Buckley and assemblyman Phil Palmesano.

BATH – The Steuben County Public Health Department received notification that 23 Steuben County residents tested positive for COVID-19. This brings the total to 6,431 confirmed cases, 200 of which are currently active.

The individuals are residents of the:

· City of Corning

· City of Hornell (5)

· Town of Bath

· Town of Campbell

· Town of Corning (3)

· Town of Erwin

· Town of Greenwood (2)

· Town of Hornby

· Town of Lindley

· Town of Prattsburgh

· Town of Urbana

· Town of Wayland

· Village of Avoca

· Village of Bath (2)

· Village of Riverside

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:

· Nine individuals had contact with a previously reported Steuben positive

· Three individuals are associated with Snell Farm Children’s Center

· One individual is associated with T&R Towing and Environmental Services

· One individual is associated with Alstom

· One individual is an employee of Steuben Center

· Five individuals are associated with the following schools: Corning Community College, Corning-Painted Post High School, Hornell High School, North Hornell Elementary

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

· 4/12 – 4/14 – Jabil in Big Flats

· 4/12 – 4/15 – Family Life Network in Kanona

· 4/17, 4/18, 4/20 – Walmart in Hornell

· 4/19, 4/20 – Rivoli Dental in Painted Post

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

· 0 – 9 years: 1

· 10 – 19 years: 5

· 20 – 29 years: 3

· 30 – 39 years: 1

· 40 – 49 years: 5

· 50 – 59 years: 5

· 60 – 69 years: 3

“Right now we have several clusters in schools and workplaces,” said Public Health Director, Darlene Smith. “To help slow the spread of COVID in Steuben, stay home if you are not feeling well or suspect you have been exposed to COVID.”

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.