Morning News Briefing
Written by WBTA STAFF on March 23, 2020
Gov. Andrew Cuomo
Governor Cuomo has signed an executive order called “New York State on PAUSE,” that is now in effect statewide aimed at preventing the spread of coronavirus.
A majority of businesses are required to keep their entire workforce home under the order and places that remain open must ensure customers are several feet apart.
Businesses caught defying the order can face a fine and mandatory closure.
Gatherings like parties or other social events are also canceled while sick people are being urged only to leave their homes if absolutely necessary.
As New York State deals with over 15-thousand confirmed coronavirus cases the federal government is sending in some help.
Yesterday, President Trump approved a request to declare New York a major disaster area, making it easier for the state to receive more help with recovery efforts.
Trump said much needed medical supplies are heading to New York.
The Empire State has the highest number of coronavirus cases in the country currently and has been dubbed the epicenter of the pandemic.
There is still only one person in mandatory isolation with a positive case of COVID-19 in Genesee County according to the latest from the Genesee & Orleans County Health Department.
19 people are under mandatory quarantine and 8 are under precautionary quarantine.
There remains only one person with a positive case from Orleans County as well, however they remain in mandatory isolation out of state.
9 people are under mandatory quarantine with 4 under precautionary quarantine also in Orleans County.
The Wyoming County Community Health System received notice this morning that two residents of the Skilled Nursing Facility have tested positive for COVID-19 according to the New York State Department of Health.
Since being tested, the residents have been treated in isolation and contact tracing is in process for residents and staff.
Screenings are now being conducted for all skilled nursing facility staff reporting for work prior to entering the facility.
All staff are taking aggressive infection control measures and are using personal protective equipment.
WBTA will again be dedicating the entire hour of “Main & Center” for a second installment of “COVID-19, a Local View”.
Dan Ireland, President of UMMC and representatives from the County’s Emergency Management Office will be in studio to answer phoned-in questions from the listeners.
The program begins at 9 this morning after the national news report.
