ORLEANS COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT

14016 Route 31 West, Suite 101, Albion, NY 14411

Phone (585) 589-3278
Fax (585) 589-2873
www.orleansny.com/publichealth
Licensed Home Care Services Agency

Paul A. Pettit, MSL Brenden A. Bedard, MPH

Public Health Director Deputy Director

NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Nola Goodrich-Kresse, MS, MCHES

P u b l i c H e a l th E du c a t o r / Pu b l i c In f o r m at i o n O f f i c e r
Paul Pettit, MSL
Public Health Director
PHONE: (585) 589-3162
DATE: 03/14/20
Health Alert
The Orleans County Health Health Department Seeks Help
Department (OCHD) uses 4
types of documents to
provide important
For IMMEDIATE RELEASE
information to medical and
public health professionals, “Over the past week, COVID-19 has evolved rapidly. While Orleans County
and to other interested has no confirmed cases, there are confirmed cases in a neighboring county
persons.
and increasing local testing. I believe it is inevitable we will see cases here in
Health Alerts convey Orleans County,” stated Lynne Johnson, Chair of the Orleans County
information of the highest
level of importance which
Legislature. “With this in mind and after discussion with Paul Pettit, Director of
warrants immediate action the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments, I am declaring a state
or attention from New York of emergency for Orleans County. I am recommending that all schools in
health providers,
emergency responders, Orleans County close to students effective immediately for an undetermined
public health agencies, amount of time.”
and/or the public.

Health Advisories provide

“We still want to remind people the risk in our community still remains relatively
important information for a low and these decisions are based on the need to slow transmission in our
specific incident or situation, communities,” stated Pettit. “Through ongoing discussions with all 5 school
including that impacting
neighboring states; may not districts and county administration, this unified decision is based on the
require immediate action. increased activity in our county and has led to these preventive measures.”
Health Guidances contain
comprehensive information
The recommendation applies to students, districts can make individual
pertaining to a particular determinations regarding faculty and staff. “With the announcement of Monroe
disease or condition, and County schools closing and Kendall and Holley share students with the Monroe
include recommendations,
guidelines, etc. endorsed by County BOCES program, I feel this is a difficult but proactive approach to slow
OCHD. the potential spread of disease,” stated Julie Christensen, Superintendent of
Health Updates provide Kendall School District.
new or updated information
on an incident or situation;
can also provide information
to update a previously sent
Health Alert, Health
Advisory, or Health
Guidance; unlikely to
“Healthy People in a Healthy Community”
require immediate action.
“We understand the potential hardship this can have on our families,” stated Michael Bonnewell,
Superintendent of Albion School District, “but are in agreement with this decision.”

“Even though there are no positive cases of COVID-19 in Orleans County we believe taking a
proactive approach will help keep our students and their families healthy,” stated Mark Kruzynski,
Superintendent of Medina School District.

“We will continue to work with the Health Department to determine when we can get our students
back to school, but want our families to understand that this is a rapidly evolving situation and we
are concerned for the safety of our school family,” stated Jason Smith, Superintendent of Lyndonville
School District.

“As a District Superintendent it is our charge to provide safe, quality education for the students of
our district,” stated Brian Bartalo, Superintendent of Holley School District. “We understand this is
an unprecedented response to the COVID-19 outbreak and anticipate that these steps will help
protect our communities and limit the potential spread of disease.

“With the declaration of a State of Emergency it allows us to procure goods and services as well as
required and available assistance to municipalities and school districts vital to the security, well-
being, and health and safety of the citizens of Orleans County,” stated H. Dale Banker, Director of
Emergency Management.

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“Healthy People in a Healthy Community”