COVID-19

A limited number of businesses can now reopen under the state's plan for a controlled approach to easing pandemic restrictions. The Batavian is inviting Phase One businesses to share information about their businesses with our readers for free.

If you operate a locally owned Phase One business, please email billie@thebatavian.com with the following information: Name of business, address, phone, website URL (optional), a very short description of what services you're providing and how (this is not a marketing message, just a short description).

This new list doesn't include Essential Businesses that we've previously listed. For that list, click here.

There are six categories of businesses in Phase One:

-- Construction;
-- Agriculture;
-- Forestry, fishing, and hunting;
-- Retail (limited to curbside or in-store pick up or drop off);
-- Manufacturing;
-- Wholesale trade.

For more information click here. 

We will update this post with business listings as they come in and periodically boost it back to the top of the home page.

On three different dates this week, employees of UMMC are being treated to meals from Over the Border Taco Truck, courtesy of Casella Waste.

Casella General Manager Jeff Pero said the company wanted to provide meals to all shifts at the hospital so they served lunch yesterday and today and are set up on Bank Street on Saturday.

Public Notice

Town of Bethany offices will open on Monday, May 18, 2020.

Court has not reopened as of yet. Per NYS Court Administration an opening date has not been determined.

All visitors to the Town Hall must wear facial covering and practice social distancing.

Residents/customers must schedule appointments to handle business that cannot be handled via phone, email or regular mail. A drop box is also available near the Town Hall door.  Receipts, etc. will be mailed to you.

No visitors to the Highway Department are allowed without an appointment. Facial covering and social distancing requirements must be adhered to.

All Board meetings will commence beginning with the regularly scheduled in June. Facial cover and social distancing protocol must be followed by everyone in attendance.

-- Town of Bethany Supervisor Carl Hyde Jr.

Press release:

New Cases

• As of 2 p.m.
  • Genesee County received one new positive case of COVID-19, for a total of 166 positive cases.
    • The positive case resides in Darien.
    • The positive individual is in their 30s.
    • The newly positive individual was not on quarantine prior to becoming symptomatic.
    • One of the previous positive cases have recovered and have been released from mandatory isolation.
    • Four of the total active positive cases are hospitalized.
    • Genesee County has received word of one new death notification related to COVID-19. The individual was over 65. Our condolences to the family and friends of this individual during this difficult time.
  • Orleans County received four new positive cases of COVID-19, for a total of 146 positive cases.
    • One of the positive cases resides in Ridgeway and one of the positive cases resides in Kendall.
    • Two of the positive cases reside at The Villages of Orleans Health & Rehabilitation Center.
    • One of the individuals is in their 30s, one of the individuals is in their 60’s, and two of the individuals are in their 70s.
    • None of the newly positive community cases were on quarantine prior to becoming symptomatic.
    • Four of the previous positive community cases have recovered and have been released from mandatory isolation.
    • Twelve of the total active positive cases are hospitalized. Please note those in the hospital may be from the community or a state-regulated facility. We do not separate them out to protect their privacy.
    • Orleans County has received word of one new death notification related to COVID-19. The individual was over 65 and a resident of The Villages of Orleans Health and Rehabilitation Center. Our sincerest condolences to the family and friends of this individual during this difficult time.

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

Briefing

Whether you’re an owner of a business, executive director of a nonprofit organization, manager of a public service agency or pastor of a place of worship, if you don’t have a plan for reopening according to New York State COVID-19 guidelines, then now is the time to develop one.

That was one of the key messages conveyed by Genesee & Orleans Public Health Director Paul Pettit and Genesee County Manager Jay Gsell at a Zoom videoconference this afternoon.

The hour-long webinar, hosted by Tom Turnbull, president of the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce, attracted 185 people – many of whom are wondering what they need to do to get their workplace up and running again.

Both Pettit and Gsell emphasized the importance of having a plan in place that addresses physical distancing, protective equipment, cleaning and hygiene, communication, and screening – all of the bullet points on the NYS business reopening safety plan template (pdf).

Reading from the document, Pettit said that “this plan does not need to be submitted to a state agency for approval, but must be retained on the premise of the business and must be made available to the State of New York Department of Health, local health or safety authority in the event of an inspection.”

“We can’t give you any clarity of what that means beyond potentially if you have an issue, if we potentially trace back an outbreak or a cluster to a business or a location based on contact tracing, we’re probably going to be asking you to let us see your plan,” he continued. “How are you ensuring that you are protecting your employees (and how) you’re protecting your consumers if they came into the business?”

Gsell said the state government and health officials are trusting that all businesses and organizations follow the requirements listed and fill out the form.

“It’s scout’s honor that you put the plan together and then you have gone to the website and attested that you’ve done this and you have it on file at your plant location, your business location – whatever that may be,” he said. “The county, itself, is going to have to do this and we’re starting to do that already.”

He added that the template is for all entities, no exceptions.

“It does not leave anybody out … in terms of how they want us to plan and continue the protocol, and also recognize that at this point, the State of New York also doesn’t want to have hundreds of thousands of plans on file that they would probably not ever be able to get to,” he said.

The Genesee & Orleans Health Department also has drafted a document for business owners – a reopening guidance and fact sheet (pdf).

Pettit noted that the plan for reopening is being driven by the state and that Genesee (along with Orleans and Wyoming counties) is “tethered to our surrounding Finger Lakes Region counties” as the strategy calls for a regional approach.

“The governor has been very clear that his decision – the Empire State Development and his administration – has the final say on what happens here locally,” he said. “We do not have the flexibility here to create our own plan. We did try that route when we first found that we were able to start potentially opening on May 15^th, we wanted to put together a more local plan for Genesee and Orleans county, but that was shot down … All of the metrics and all the data are going to be driven by what happens regionally.”

He then talked about the impact of the coronavirus in Genesee County, noting that: 165 people have tested positive; 1,785 tested negative; 15 are in isolation; 56 are in quarantine; three have died; and 95 have recovered.

Pettit mentioned that the health department recently “did break apart the community from regulated facilities (nursing homes, for example) and we did that because we wanted to make sure there was a clear delineation between what was happening in the community versus what was happening in these kind of captive audiences, these residential facilities.”

He said Genesee has experienced “very little” community spread; it’s mainly been driven by what’s going on in this regulated facility environments.”

While the exposure has been low thus far, Pettit said he hopes that a future spike doesn’t occur and derail the region’s progression from Phase One (starting tomorrow) through the other three phases.

Pettit said it is vital that people continue practicing social distancing and take other precautions.

“Our biggest concern on the public health side is we all of a sudden start to un-pause and see significant increases in spikes, the number of cases, the number of hospitalizations – the governor has been very clear that it will lead to the region being paused again,” he said. “We want to be able to move forward successfully and safely, and we want you guys to start to generate some income and revenue … in a safe, smart and strategic way.”

Other key points from the webinar:

-- Gsell said that each phase will have at least a two-week time frame – and possibly up to four weeks -- between them, during which an analysis of the seven metrics will take place. The outcome of the data assessment will determine whether a region moves ahead, stays in place or goes back on “pause.”

-- The state considers contract tracing as a determining factor that has kept some regions (including Western New York – Buffalo area) from advancing into Phase One, Gsell said.

“This is where the science comes in and where the state is going to continue to hold our feet to the fire with what we know about the people who we are dealing with and what is being reported to the State of New York and also to our local county health department,” he said.

-- NYS Executive Order 202.16 mandates that all essential businesses or entities, any employees who are present in the workplace shall be provided and shall wear face coverings when in direct contact with customers or members of the public. Businesses must provide, at their expense, such face coverings for their employees.

Pettit said if people can’t maintain six feet of separation, then they must wear a mask.

For more information, call ESD at 1-888-364-3065.

The webinar was presented by the Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with the Batavia Downtown Business Improvement District, Batavia Development Corporation, and Genesee County Economic Development Center.

The Finger Lakes Region, which includes Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties, is a day away from Phase One of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s four-phase strategy to reopen the economy, but it has to continue to fulfill all seven health-related components to keep moving in the right direction.

“Right now, we’ve met all seven of the metrics, hospitalization rates, bed capacity, testing, and so on, and they all have to stay in the green or we go back to a ‘pause’ on Phase One again,” advised Genesee County Manager Jay Gsell this morning.

Gsell said the entire nine-county Finger Lakes Region will be monitored by the state on a daily to make sure it is within the parameters of the metrics:

-- Decline in Total Hospitalizations;
-- Decline in Deaths;
-- New Hospitalizations;
-- Hospital Bed Capacity;
-- ICU Bed Capacity;
-- Diagnostic Testing Capacity;
-- Contact Tracing Capacity.

“That’s what we’re following and we can’t get ahead of the governor,” Gsell said. “This is how controlled this is going to be.”

The state has a website, New York Forward, that includes a detailed list of the businesses that are eligible to return in six categories assigned to Phase One:

-- Construction;
-- Agriculture;
-- Forestry, fishing and hunting;
-- Retail (limited to curbside or in-store pick up or drop off);
-- Manufacturing;
-- Wholesale trade.

Additional documents on the website include summary and guidelines, along with a safety plan template for reopening, for each business category.

According to the website:

“Businesses in each region will reopen in phases. Reopening refers to nonessential businesses and business activities. Essential businesses and business activities that are open will remain open. The guidelines below apply to both nonessential businesses in regions that are permitted to reopen and essential businesses throughout the state that were previously permitted to remain open.”

Phase Two includes professional services, retail, administrative support, real estate/rental & leasing; Phase Three expands to restaurants and food services; and Phase Four lists arts, entertainment, recreation and education.

Incidentally, playing tennis is being allowed under Phase One, Gsell noted.

Each area of the state is guided by a Regional Control Room that is responsible for keeping tabs on metrics and providing regular updates to communities. Members of the Finger Lakes Control Room include county legislature chairs Rochelle Stein (Genesee), Lynne Johnson (Orleans) and Jerry Davis (Wyoming).

Gsell issued a warning to citizens to continue to practice social distancing measures and wear masks as necessary during the reopening.

“I understand that people are restless and anxious but if we proceed too fast, in a confused and chaotic manner, the (COVID-19) virus will come back in a real negative way,” Gsell said. “We won’t just be behind the 8-ball, the 8-ball will take us down like the Rock of Gibraltar – and we don’t want to go there.”

Press release:

Press release:

The New York State Department of Labor today announced that in just over a month, more than 330,000 New Yorkers have been approved for the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) Program, which provides unemployment benefits to individuals who do not qualify for traditional unemployment insurance.

In total, the Department of Labor has now paid $7.4 billion in unemployment benefits to New Yorkers since the COVID-19 pandemic began in March — three-and-a-half times the total paid in benefits last year.

In addition, the Department of Labor announced emergency measures to ensure unemployed New Yorkers who have been assessed forfeiture day penalties will receive benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic. These actions, which suspend forfeiture days for the duration of the pandemic emergency, will allow more unemployed New Yorkers to receive financial support during this unprecedented crisis.

“Every state is facing a historic surge in unemployment claims and New York is no different, but we have moved faster and more aggressively than others to get beneficiaries their money, and in just over two months have paid out over three-and-a-half years’ worth of benefits,” NYS Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon said.

“We know New Yorkers are struggling, and we know they need support now, and we are working day and night to get money into more New Yorkers’ hands faster — including through these emergency measures — and we will continue to provide the support people need to help them weather this unprecedented crisis.”

Created by the Federal CARES Act, which was signed into law on March 27th, the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Program provides unemployment benefits to Americans who are not eligible for traditional unemployment insurance, including those who are self-employed, independent contractors, gig workers, farmers, and those who have other COVID-19 barriers to work.

The program’s implementation has faced multiple setbacks from the Federal government, including cumbersome guidance that required applicants to first apply for traditional unemployment insurance knowing they would be denied, receive a formal denial, and only then apply for PUA. In late April, that guidance was streamlined, and New York immediately launched an updated unemployment benefits application that allowed New Yorkers to seamlessly apply for either traditional unemployment insurance or PUA, depending on their eligibility.

New York State is now able to process PUA applications rapidly and has approved over 330,000 New Yorkers for this program. As part of the Department of Labor’s proactive communication efforts, these New Yorkers are receiving emails and text messages to inform them that their applications have been approved and remind them to certify weekly to continue receiving benefits.

Today was supposed to be United Way of Genesee County's annual Day of Caring, which was cancelled due to COVID-19.

It nonetheless prompted the Business Improvement District businesses and supporters to draw chalk messages of support and shout-outs for local business during the pandemic.

Chalk was handed out on Main Street for anyone who wanted to participate. Social distancing was practiced by those involved in this event. 

Update: May 13, 9:30 a.m.

Congressional Democrats reportedly are proposing the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act -- a $3 trillion coronavirus stimulus package that includes additional $1,200 checks for individuals (up to $6,000 per family) and $915 billion for states and local governments.

In addition, the extra $600 a week federal unemployment benefit would be extended through Jan. 31, 2021, under the proposal. That extra payment was supposed to run out at the end of July.

The bill would also provide:

• $200 billion in “hazard pay” for essential workers, such as grocery store employees and health care personnel;

• $75 billion toward more coronavirus testing;

• Send $25 billion to the U.S. Postal Service;

• Add $10 billion to the Payroll Protection Program meant to help businesses and especially underserved businesses and nonprofit organizations;

• $3.6 billion for local officials to prepare for pandemic-era voting challenges in November;

• $600 million to police departments for salaries and equipment

• $600 million for state and federal prisons;

• Provide $100 billion to hospitals and health care providers to cover costs, with a special focus on health care entities in low-income communities.

The New York State Association of Counties is applauding the proposal.

“The federal stimulus proposal introduced today includes funding allocations that have been championed by Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer and the entire NY Congressional delegation. This essential funding is necessary for essential public employees to provide essential services to stamp out COVID-19 and begin the process of reopening communities," said NYSAC President John F. Marren in a statement.

"County leaders commend House Appropriations Chair Nita Lowey and Speaker Pelosi for beginning the negotiating process by introducing this important legislation. We thank New York’s bipartisan congressional delegation for fighting to help New Yorkers survive and thrive during the pandemic."

Press release:

Assemblyman Steve Hawley today announced to residents of the Finger Lakes region, which includes Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Orleans, Seneca, Wayne, Wyoming and Yates counties, what industries will be eligible for reopening after this Friday, May 15. 

“I’m excited that the initial road to economic recovery is underway with helping businesses and people get back to work,” Hawley said. “As we follow the safety protocols set forth, and continue to get people back into the field and working again, we can only hope things improve going forward.”

Per the state’s guidelines on what Phase 1 of reopening means, construction, manufacturing, retail (limited to curbside pickup), wholesale trade, agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting are all set to start the process of returning to normal.

Because the Finger Lakes region is a prime example of boasting some of the best workers in these various industries, Hawley is pleased to see the people’s patience being rewarded. 

If there are any questions regarding the reopening process, individuals are encouraged to reach out to:  flnyf@esd.ny.gov.

Assemblyman Hawley represents the 139th District, which consists of Genesee, Orleans and parts of Monroe County. For more information, please visit Assemblyman Hawley’s Official Website.

Press release:

• As of 2 p.m.
  • Genesee County received one new positive case of COVID-19, for a total of 165 positive cases.
    • The positive case resides in Batavia.
    • The positive case is in their 30s.
    • The newly positive individual was not on quarantine prior to becoming symptomatic.
    • Zero of the previous positive cases have recovered and have been released from mandatory isolation.
    • Five of the total active positive cases are hospitalized.
  • Orleans County received eight new positive cases of COVID-19, for a total of 142 positive cases.
    • All of the new positive cases were in state-regulated facilities: Two from The Villages of Orleans Health and Rehabilitation Center, five (one counted from the weekend for a total of six) from Western NY DDSO Group Home, and one from Orchard Rehabilitation & Nursing Center.
    • Of the new positive cases one individual is in their 20s, three individuals are in their 30s, one individual is in their 50s, one individual is in their 60s, one individual is in their 80s and one individual is in their 90s.
    • Two of the previous positive cases have recovered and have been released from mandatory isolation.
    • 10 of the total active positive cases are hospitalized. Please note those in the hospital may be from the community or a state-regulated facility. We do not separate them out to protect their privacy.
    • We are saddened to report another death from The Villages of Orleans Health and Rehabilitation Center. Our deepest condolences go out to the family and friends of this individual during this very sad time.

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

Interview with Tori Ganino, dog trainer, owner of Calling All Dogs in Batavia.

This year has been a difficult one for the business community, to say the least, but the president of the Downtown Batavia Business Improvement District is encouraging member store owners to keep their chins up while the organization adjusts to the changing times.

“We have gone through some changes in the past 18 months, but have emerged with a strong board (of directors) that is cohesive and really ‘into’ downtown,” Don Brown said on Monday.

Brown, co-owner of Charles Men’s Shop on Main Street, believes that the BID has reached a tipping point as far as how to meet its 198 members’ needs and to appeal to younger entrepreneurs.

“BIDs themselves are facing an uphill battle in a lot of ways as some people are down on BIDs, which are funded with property owners’ tax money,” Brown said. “But, when you see sidewalk improvements, downtown flowers and landscaping – that’s all because of the BID.”

He said that the emergence of the Batavia Development Corporation, which secures downtown grants and loans, and the recent $10 million NYS Downtown Revitalization Award has compelled BID board members to rethink their focus.

“We didn’t have those before – grants for storefront rehabilitation and the state throwing millions of dollars at us,” he said. “That’s a game-changer for us.”

As a result, Brown, who has been president for a year and a board member since 2016, said he would like to see the BID promote more events in the City and develop a marketing plan that “lets people know that it is the BID that is sponsoring this.”

“Our common goal should be to market our skill set to the 200 members. We’ve been too rigid in the past and we need to do things to attract the younger people who are business owners to make their downtown better,” he offered.

Brown said that a plan is in place to conduct “meet-and-greet” sessions and work has already started on getting free Wi-Fi downtown.

“Our BID board has resolved to be a more social organization -- having meet and greets a couple times per year to promote more participation,” he said. “Most recently, we contracted (with Spectrum) to have free Wi-Fi installed throughout our downtown district for all the youth. We also want to have music (via speakers at various sites) downtown.”

Previously, Brown and BID Executive Director Beth Kemp spoke to the membership via a video on the BID website that replaced their Annual Meeting due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Things will look different going forward but we will get through these challenging times and will be stronger for it,” he said.

On the video, Kemp announced the agency’s award winners for the 2019-20 year:

• Business of the Year – Freed Maxick accounting firm.
• Volunteer of the Year – Danielle Fleming, an employee of Batavia Downs Gaming.
• Community Partner of the Year – Lisa Casey, confidential secretary for the City of Batavia.

Kemp also reported that Batavia attorney Peter Casey has been elected to the BID’s Board of Directors.

Financially, the agency made a profit of $8,047 last fiscal year and, as of March 31, had total assets of $330,453.

----------

Per its website: Comprised of property owners and tenants, the Batavia Business Improvement District Management Association Inc., is a nonprofit organization with a mission to finance improvements and services beyond those provided by the City of Batavia, and fund an operational budget for the purpose of revitalizing and promoting business activity.

Press release:

Assemblyman Steve Hawley today confirmed that the report regarding the Common Retirement Fund being diverted to balance the budget or pay bills was incorrect.

Following rightful concern that individuals would begin to lose their retirement investments to a state spending spree in the efforts of curbing short-term financial struggles, Hawley wants to make it clear that no such risk is present.

“With what seems like crisis after crisis occurring during these past many weeks, I was as concerned as the people of my district that we were headed for yet another batch of bad news,” Hawley said. “Thankfully, it appears that in this instance, the messaging was simply unclear.

"The $50 million is really being used as a revolving loan program with all funds being paid back. I hope people can breathe a bit easier with this clarification.”

It is important to note that this is not the first time the Common Retirement funds are being used this way. The Comptroller’s office and the Common Retirement Fund have a long relationship with Pursuit having provided business funds for more than 1,000 qualifying New York businesses in all 62 counties to retain jobs and expand.

The fund’s allocation to Pursuit redirects a large portion of the existing available loan program funds to address the COVID-19 crisis.

In regard to the initial question of funds being diverted from retirement savings, the state Comptroller’s office has confirmed that "…The Common Retirement Fund's investment portfolio is very diverse and consists of stocks, bonds, ETF's and even loans. The Comptroller is viewing this funding the same way it views it's other holdings, as an investment."

For those looking for the Comptroller’s original release on the matter, click on the link here.

Press release:

The City of Batavia has conducted a gap funding analysis amid the COVID-19 pandemic and estimates a potential $2.5M shortfall in revenue to the General Fund in the 2020-21 fiscal year.

The City’s budget was passed in March 2020 and was balanced with $17,598,636 in revenue and expenses.

The potential for a $2.5M revenue shortfall is dependent on many factors including projections for lower than estimated sales tax, property tax, and fee revenues.

“Currently the City is facing a gap in revenue, and we are working diligently to control spending across all cost centers," said City Manager Martin Moore, Ph.D, who shared this information at tonight's City Council meeting. "The most recent figures for April show a 26-percent loss in sales tax revenue.

"This will mean a 26-percent reduction in the City’s sales tax distribution payment for the month of April from the County. Revenue losses from sales tax could ultimately reach 30 percent over the entire year. Other cuts are expected from state aid as well."

Due to the COVID-19 economic shut-down, the City is also forecasting an estimated:

• $1,950,000 loss of sales tax revenue, a 30-percent reduction of the budgeted amount.
• $350,106 shortage in property tax revenue, a 15-percent reduction of the budgeted amount.
• $278,386 loss in other revenue (building permits, bail, licenses, and other fee revenue), a 15-percent reduction of the budgeted amount.

These estimates will change as the full economic impact of the COVID-19 is realized. Therefore, the City is taking a phased approach to cost cutting and will continue to make adjustments as the year moves on. Other avenues will be explored to close the funding gap as we move forward.

City Departments have been directed to make immediate cost cuts by deferring purchasing on a wide range of items, implementing layoffs of many part-time employees, and instituting a hiring freeze on all open positions.

These measures are only the first phase of plans to reduce costs amid projected revenue shortfalls, and will achieve $1.1M in expense reductions.

Specifically, the savings will be realized from the following reductions:

• $435,384 in savings from hiring freeze
• $260,972 in reductions from the Administrative Department

o   Cancellation of Summer Recreation program for 2020;

o   Reduction in attorney and legal services;

o   General liability insurance policy savings;

o   Delayed/termed payment to economic development corporation;

o   Cut of community celebrations and event support (Picnic in the Park);

o   Cut in travel and training;

o   Elimination of employee recognition program funding and GLOW Corporate Cup fee for employees to participate;

o   Layoff of part-time clerk position for three months;

o   Supplies and materials cuts and deferrals of purchasing.

• $133,627 in reductions from the Police Department

o   Crossing guard layoff;

o   Eliminate special community policing initiatives (NET details, explorer post, community policing, events, etc.);

o   Delay vehicle purchases;

o   Deferral of supplies and equipment purchasing (crime scene camera, camcorder purchases, outfitting new officers, ERT uniform expenses);

o   Cut in nonmandatory training;

o   Layoff of part-time dispatcher position;

• $77,370 in reductions from the Fire Department

o   Cut in nonmandatory travel and training;

o   Deferral of supplies and equipment purchases (fire gloves, fire extinguisher replacement, gas meters, hydrant markers, turnout gear, ropes, harnesses, portable radios and pagers among other supplies).

• $118,760 in reductions from the Department of Public Works

o   Cut in nonmandatory travel and training;

o   Street light replacement purchases eliminated;

o   Deferral of supplies and equipment purchases (patching material, traffic signs, vehicle and plow repair, park equipment);

o   Deferral of repair and maintenance at nonessential equipment at park;

o   Deferral of lighting repairs at parks;

o   Cut in overtime in parks budget, Bureau of Maintenance, community celebrations and special events, street cleaning, Bureau of Inspections;

o  $75,000 suspension of funding reserve accounts at this time.

These cuts will result in lower levels of service for many programs including parks, youth activities, community celebrations, economic development, as well as police and fire initiatives. All departments will be operating without full staffing levels due to the hiring freeze and layoffs of part-time workers.

Although there will be reduced levels of spending for the Police and Fire Departments, citizens should be reassured that both Departments intend to keep the same level of response to calls for service. Both Police and Fire Departments continue to operate and respond to all emergency and nonemergency calls for service.

In the event of an emergency, residents are reminded to call 9-1-1.

“Between the gap funding analysis and cash flow projections, I am diligently watching the financial health of the City," Moore said. "The first phase of reductions will result in a loss of some services and layoffs. This is painful but necessary. I can only express my appreciation to the City of Batavia employees for their continued hard work and dedication during these extremely difficult times."

Daily Briefing:

• As of 2 p.m.
  • Genesee County received one new positive case of COVID-19, for a total of 164 positive cases.
    • The positive case resides in Batavia.
    • The positive case is in their 30s.
    • The newly positive individual was not on quarantine prior to becoming symptomatic.
    • Two of the previous positive cases have recovered and have been released from mandatory isolation.
    • Five of the total active positive cases are hospitalized.
    • We have removed a "positive / recovered" individual that was determined to be a false-positive result. Therefore, the total positive case number will be one less and has been adjusted in our data. No further information will be shared.
  • Orleans County received two new positive cases of COVID-19, for a total of 134 positive cases.
    • The community positive case resides in Ridgeway.
    • There is one additional positive case who is a resident of The Villages of Orleans Health and Rehabilitation Center.
    • Of the new positive cases one individual is in their 50s and one individual is in their 90s.
    • Ten of the total active positive cases are hospitalized 

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