HORNELL, N.Y. (WETM) – The Steuben County Public Health Department reports it has received notification that 46 additional Steuben County residents have tested positive for COVID-19. This brings the total to 143 confirmed cases.

The individuals are residents of:

 City of Hornell (35)

 Town of Canisteo

 Town of Greenwood (2)

 Town of Hornellsville (2)

 Town of Howard

 Village of Bath (2)

 Village of Canisteo (3)

These 46 individuals were found to have tested positive through mass testing of both residents and employees completed with the assistance of the New York State Department of Health at a nursing home in the Hornell area.

Five Hornell nursing home patients have died from COVID-19 as of 5 p.m. Friday evening.

Tompkins County, St. James Hospital, and the University of Rochester Medical Center were instrumental in helping to complete the tests.

All of the individuals have been issued orders of isolation 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 being collected beginning 48 hours prior to symptom onset. One or more of the individuals reported visiting the follow locations within that timeframe.

 3/29/20 – 4/9/20 – Hornell Gardens

 4/3/20 Afternoon – Tops in Bath

 4/4/20 or 4/5/20 – St. James ER in Hornell

 4/4/20 – Hornell Animal Hospital

 4/6/20 Afternoon – Walmart in Hornell

 4/6/20 Afternoon – Wegmans in Hornell

 4/6/20 Later Afternoon – Burger King drive through in Hornell

 4/6/20 Evening – McDonald’s drive through in Bath

 4/7/20 Early Morning – Walmart in Hornell

 4/7/20 – Late Afternoon – Save a Lot in Hornell

 4/8/20 Afternoon – Wegmans in Hornell

 4/8/20 Late Morning – Community Bank drive through in Hornell

 4/8/20 Afternoon – Kwik Fill in Hornell

 4/8/20 Early Evening – Woodlawn Cemetery in Canisteo

 4/8/20 – McDonald’s drive through in Corning

 4/9/20 – Kwik Fill in Horseheads

 4/9/20 Morning – Dunkin Donuts in Hornell

 4/9/20 Afternoon – Burger King in Hornell



Mitigation and response plans for this Hornell area nursing home were finalized today between the New York State Department of Health and the facility. Steuben County Public Health, the Office of Emergency Services, and County Management were not permitted to take part in this planning call.

Individuals with questions related to the response plan and facility status should call the New York State Department of Health at 716-847-4500.

“While an increase of 46 is alarming, it is not totally unexpected,” said Public Health Director, Darlene Smith. “An increase in testing will produce an increase in the number of positive cases. Additionally, the Hornell area has consistently been a hot spot for COVID-19. The case count further demonstrates the importance of our message to stay home and practice social distancing when outside the home. Your actions today will save lives tomorrow.”

