Public Health

2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), What You Need to Know

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is closely monitoring an outbreak of respiratory illness caused by a novel (new) coronavirus first identified in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. Chinese authorities identified the new coronavirus, which has resulted in hundreds of confirmed cases in China, including cases outside Wuhan, with additional cases being identified in a growing number of countries internationally. The first case in the United States was announced on January 21, 2020. There are ongoing investigations to learn more. To follow this CDC investigation: Click here

What is a Cornoavirus?

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses. Some cause illness in people; numerous other coronaviruses circulate among animals, including camels, cats, and bats. Rarely, animal coronaviruses can evolve and infect people and then spread between people such as has been seen with Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus.

Coronavirus can cause viral respiratory illness. If you have a fever (over 1010 F) and symptoms of lower respiratory illness (e.g., cough, difficulty breathing) call your healthcare provider. (Two strains of influenza and Respiratory Syntactical Virus (RSV) are also circulating. Fever and cough does not mean you have a coronavirus.)  Be sure to tell your healthcare if you have these symptoms and if you have traveled in the last 14 days (before the start of symptoms) to Wuhan City, China or if you have had contact with someone sick from COVID-19.

We have a bit to learn about the 2019 Novel Coronavirus

Investigations are ongoing to learn more, but person-to-person spread of COVID-19 is occurring. It is not clear yet how easily COVID-19 spreads from person-to-person. It is important to know this in order to better assess the risk posed by this virus. While CDC considers this a public health threat, the immediate health risk from COVID-19 to the general American public is considered low at this time. Nevertheless, CDC is taking proactive preparedness precautions.

Traveling to China soon?

If you are planning a trip to China, take a moment to read the CDC’s warning about non-essential travel to Wuhan, China. Click here

Healthcare Guidance

On January 23, 2020, New York State Department of Health held an informational webinar for healthcare facilities. For CDC guidance on evaluating patients, reporting patients with symptoms, testing or infection control protocol for Coronavirus please visit: Click here

Recently Traveled to China?

If you recently traveled to China and feel sick with fever, cough or trouble breathing, you should:

  • Seek medical care right away. Call ahead and tell them about your travel and symptoms.
  • Avoid contact with others. Stay home, except for seeking medical care.
  • Avoid further travel until the illness resolves.
  • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
  • Wash hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. If unavailable, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

Questions?

New York State Department of Health has established a call center to answer questions pertaining to the Coronavirus. 

  • New Yorkers can call 1-888-364-3065 with questions or concerns about travel and/ symptoms

Learn more about the new hotline: Click here

Learn more about the Coronavirus: Click here

Questions and Answers: Click here

(Updated 02/12/2020)

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Flu Is On The Rise!

As anticipated after Christmas, the number of diagnosed flu cases has increased. Prevention remains the same, get your flu shot, wash your hands, eat healthy, get enough rest and stay home if you are sick. If you have sudden fever, chills and body aches call your healthcare provider medications like Tamiflu can decrease your risk of hospitalization.

This comes after Dr. Howard Zucker the Commissioner of New York State Department of Health, declared influenza to be prevalent in NYS on December 5, 2019. This declaration means that all healthcare and residential facilities must ensure that all of their personnel has been vaccinated against influenza for the current influenza season or wear a surgical mask while in areas where patients or residents are typically present. The declaration remains in effect until the Commissioner declares influenza no longer prevalent in New York State.

It isn’t too late to get your flu shot! Contact your doctor or local pharmacy today!  

Check out the graphic below. Data for this dashboard is updated weekly on Thursdays by 5 pm by the New York State Department of Health. Click the link below to learn more: Click here

(Updated 1/7/2020

2019-2021 Community Health Assessment and Improvement Plan

Did you take our Community Health Assessment survey or attend one of several focus groups around Ontario County? Ever wonder what we do with all that information?  

Take a moment to read our 2019-2021 Community Health Assessment (CHA), Community Service Plan (CSP) and Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP): Click here

(Updated 2/7/2020)

Influenza is Widespread

It is NOT too late to get a flu shot!

Over 89,500 New Yorkers have been diagnosed with the flu as February 1, 2020. Have you received your flu shot? See the graph below for an age comparison of those diagnosed with the flu.

Each Thursday NYSDOH publishes the Influenza Surveillance Report: Click here

(Updated 2/5/2020)

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February is Heart Health Month

I am too young to have heart disease.... right?

Heart disease—and the conditions that lead to it—can happen at any age. High rates of obesity and high blood pressure among younger people (ages 35-64) are putting them at risk for heart disease earlier in life. Half of all Americans have at least one of the top three risk factors for heart disease (high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and smoking).

High blood pressure, high cholesterol and smoking are three risk factors that put young people at risk for heart disease. Diet, exercise and smoking cessation are three ways to take control of YOUR heart health.

Learn more: Click here

(Updated 2/13/2020) 

NArcan Kit 4mg

Next Naloxone Program

Next Naloxone is a new program aimed at improving  access to Narcan for people living in rural communitites

Next Naloxone is for anyone that can not access Narcan (due to cost, transportation or other reasons) through pharmacies, syringe exchange programs or other means. Follow the link to receive local resources and the lifesaving drug Narcan via the mail.
To learn more: https://www.naloxoneforall.org/ 

(Updated 12/10/2019) 

Blessing Boxs

Blessing Boxes = Free Food Cupboards

Blessing Boxes are popping up all over Ontario County! Please help by filling these food cupboards with healthy nonperishable foods. Thank you Scouts!

Public Health Awarded $21,774 for Outstanding Performance and Outcomes!

Public Health is excited to announce the award of $21,774 for outstanding performance and outcomes in our Immunization Program (specifically Perinatal Hepatitis B). The Performance Incentive Program Bureau of Immunization: Perinatal Hepatitis B Prevention Program (PHBPP) and the Assessment, Feedback, Incentive and eXchange (AFIX) program is an ongoing effort from the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH). The goal of the program is to improve the quality and timeliness reporting of performance measures and outcomes at local health departments. Ontario County Public Health is among 34 counties to achieve a perfect score of (100%) in the performance period.

This award will help support future immunization program expenses such as the purchasing of technology, data loggers and storage units (for vaccine refrigeration) and staff training. Funding will also be used to support efforts referenced in Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP). Good health, we are in this together!

(Updated 11/26/2019)

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This is Quitting!

This is Quitting is a free mobile program from Truth Initiative designed to help young people quit vaping. The first-of-its-kind text messaging program incorporates messages from other young people like them who have attempted to, or successfully quit, e-cigarettes.

The first-of-its-kind program to help young people quit vaping, This is Quitting gives youth and young adults the motivation and support they need to ditch JUUL and other e-cigarettes. Learn more about how it works and the additional resources available for parents of young vapers and for adults who want to quit. 

Learn more! Click here

(Updated 10/31/2019)

Action!

With the help of Midlakes School District and AdvioAdvertising, students from Brittany Sullivan and Carolyn Wescott’s healthclasses completed three silent movies educating the public about emotional,physical and mental health. Health class students learned about emotional,physical and mental health as well as where to find reliable healthinformation. The health classes also learned about health marketing and evenused photos from their own lives in the movies. 

 Check out the following locations Canandaigua Family YMCA,Charlie’s Restaurant, Mac’s Philly Steaks, Roseland Bowl, The Villager, CasaItaliana, Pickering Pub, Greater Canandaigua Civics Center, Canandaigua Lady,Finger Lakes Coffee Roasters, Tim Horton’s (Victor), Finns Tap Room andPart House, United Martial Arts Center, Sports Academy of Victor and Milsy’sBarber Shop to see the videos. The first video, “Mental Health, With Teens forTeens” is currently featured on the Ontario County Public Health website (see below) andFacebook page.

(Updated 10/15/2019)

Ontario County Public Health Goes Viral!!!

Parent's what do you know about the dangers of vaping? Over 10,000 people have watched our video! Check out the video to learn more vaping prevention.

(Updated 5/10/2019)

2019 CHOO Award Supply a Smile

Choose Health Ontario Award  Winner!

Congratulations Supply a Smile!

Ontario County Health Collaborative (OCHC) is excited to announce the winner for the 2019 Choose Health Ontario Award (CHOO). Congratulations to Supply a Smile!  Supply a Smile is a free dental service program for Ontario County residents who are at risk of falling through dental care gaps. Dental services are given to those whom are not covered by insurance or Medicaid. The Supply a Smile's program consists of local dentists, hygienists, and volunteers that generously donate their time to provide dental services to those most in need.

A very special thank you and congratulations to our award nominees which included:

  • Diana Modera, RN and Jodi Hennessey, LPN were nominated for their commitment to community outreach and population health.
  • Officers Adam Weller and Justin Green from the Ontario County Jail were nominated for their commitment to educational programing for those residing in jail custody.
  • Finger Lakes Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Program (CPEP) collaborates with the law enforcement and 9-1-1 dispatchers to provide expedited response for mental health crisis. This service allows our residents to receive the help they need in a timely manner.
  • Dr. Stiner in collaboration with Ontario County Public Health and the Humane Society administered almost 14,000 rabies vaccinations at local rabies prevention clinics.
  • Finger Lakes Eat Smart New York was nominated for their part in the healthy food drive initiative called Nourish Your Neighbor (NYN). NYN increased the number of healthy food options donated to local food pantries.

The award was presented to Supply a Smile at the 53rd Annual Ontario County Safety Awards Banquet on March 26, 2019. In addition, and awardee will be recognized by the Ontario County Board of Supervisors by an official resolution.


For more information about Supply a Smile: Click here

(updated 3/4/2019)

Ontario County Annual Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) Report

The Annual CHIP Report documents progress made in 2018 on the
implementation of the 2016-2018 Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP). The purpose of the report is to determine if our combined efforts have had a positive effect on the health of our community; if our process measures have been met; if thereare strategies that should be set aside or added; and if partners are able to continue their work. Please take a moment to read our CHIP Report.

 2018 CHIP Report: Click here    

(Updated 3/26/2019)

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2-1-1 Lifeline

Resources in the Finger Lakes

Need to be connected with a service in the Finger Lakes Region and not sure who to call? Simply dial 2-1-1 for local resources. 2-1-1 is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

2-1-1 Life Line

(Updated 8/9/2018)

See the Signs of Addiction

Save a life!

Please take a moment to watch the video and learn the signs of addiction. Click the link below to learn more about the special issues surround teenagers and their unique drug treatment needs.

Learn more about teens and drug abuse: Click here

(Updated 7/27/2018)

Prevent Lyme Disease!

Check out the graphics below!

(Updated 7/27/2018)

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2018 Public Health Works!

Honor Roll Award Winner

Teresa Shaffer RN

Ontario County Public Health is proud to announce that our very own Registered Nurse, Teresa Shaffer has been named to the New York State Department of Health, "2018 Public Health Works! Honor Roll." Teresa has worked tirelessly to help increase the amounts of healthy foods available to areas of need in Ontario County.

To view the list of winners:  Click here

(Updated 4/2/2018)

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Looking For Addictions Treatment? 

Please see the FLACRA information below and visit the FLACRA website today!

To visit the FLACRA website Click here

(Updated 7/27/2018)

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Water Testing

The New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) is offering assistance with lead testing of water, for as long as funds are available.

Water


Click here for more information about free lead testing for water

Common Questions


How does lead get into the water we drink? 
Inmost cases, lead in drinking water does not come from the source itself but from a plumbing system such as water fixtures, pipes and solder. Water in the plumbing system can dissolve lead from fixtures, pipes and solder. This is called leaching. Soft, corrosive or acidic (low pH) water is more likely to cause leaching. Water left standing in plumbing systems over a long period of time also increases leaching. The longer the water stands in the pipes, the greater the possibility of lead being dissolved into the water.

What can I do to reduce the lead level in my drinking water? 

If the lead level is higher than 0.015 mg/l only in your “first-draw-sample”, then the source of lead in your drinking water is likely from the fixture. 

You should:

  1. Run your water to flush out lead. Run water for at least 30 seconds or until water is cold to the touch or reaches a steady temperature before using it for drinking or cooking if it hasn’t been used for several hours. This flushes lead-containing water from the fixture.
  2. Use only cold tap water for cooking, drinking or making a baby's formula. Do not cook with or drink water from the hot water tap; lead dissolves more easily into hot water.  DO NOT USE WATER FROM THE HOT WATER TAP TO MAKE BABY FORMULA.
  3. Do not boil water to remove lead. Boiling water will not reduce lead.
  4. Replace your plumbing fixtures if they are found to contain lead. Plumbing materials, including pipes, new brass faucets, fittings, and valves, including those advertised as “lead-free,” may contribute lead to drinking water. The law allows plumbing products (such as pipes, pipe fittings, plumbing fittings and fixtures) with a weighted average of the lead content of wet surfaces of up to 0.25% lead to be considered “lead free.”

If the lead level is higher than 0.015 mg/l in both first-draw and flush samples, your home may be served by a lead service line and/or plumbing materials in your home may contain lead. Refer to the step 4 above.

Also, consider purchasing bottled water or a water filter. Read the package to be sure the filter is approved to reduce lead or contact NSF International at 800-NSF-8010 for information on performance standards for water filters. Be sure to maintain and replace a filter device in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions to protect water quality. Any measure you take to reduce your exposure to lead should be continued until the lead source(s) has been minimized or eliminated.

Where can I get more information?
New York State Department of Health
Click here

Lead Poisoning Prevention
Click here

Certified Product Listings for Lead Reduction
Click here

Updated: 2/21/2017

Stay Informed About the Former Geneva Foundry Site 


 
For the latest updates on the former Geneva Foundry site, visit:                  New York State Department of Environmental Conservation:
Click here 
 
Register for news and updates from the Department of Environmental Conservation,  Division of Environmental Remediation: 
Click here 
 
Do you have specific site related health questions? 
Contact:
     Anthony Perretta
     NYSDOH-BEFI
     Corning Tower, Room 1789
     Albany, New York 12237
     1-518-402-7860
     BEFI@health.ny.ny.gov

Updated 11/23/2016