To the Girl Scouts of Western New York volunteers and families,

We will continue to provide you with the most useful and relevant information through regular updates as needed.

Your health and well-being are always our top priority. We have received several questions in response to our [March 17] evening update regarding a volunteer who tested positive for coronavirus/COVID-19. We were notified of this Tuesday evening [March 17] and out of an abundance of caution, we decided to share this information with our staff, volunteers and members.

Girl Scouting staff is in the process of determining who was in contact with this volunteer and when. Local health officials are also involved and will then use that information to track possible exposure. Generally speaking, however, all staff, along with all other Western New Yorkers, should stay at home and self-monitor. We are in a period of community transmission and accelerating cases, and this is the safest practice for all members of the community regardless of affiliation with Girl Scouts, health officials said.

We are currently working with and following the guidance of local county health departments. Below are the dates we have been informed that the volunteer may have been involved in Girl Scouting activities and/or visited a local shop or service center (this has been corrected through verification with the Genesee County Department of Health):

• Rochester Cookie Cupboard: 3/7 (approx. 9am-11am)
• Oatka Valley Service Unit Event: 3/8
• Rochester Service Center: 3/10 (11am-11:30am)
• Batavia Service Center: 3/11
• Rochester Cookie Cupboard: 3/13 (between 11 a.m.-11:30 a.m.)

If you believe you have had exposure at the above locations during any of the above-listed timeframes, please contact us for more information. You can reach us at customercare@gswny.org, or call us at: 1-888-837-6410.

Please contact your health-care provider for additional guidance if you feel that’s needed. You can also contact the local health departments with questions and concerns. The Genesee County and Monroe County Health Departments contact information is provided below:

Genesee County Health Department:
Coronavirus/COVID-19 Hotline: 1-888-364-3065
Website: https://www.co.genesee.ny.us/departments/health/coronavirus_2019/index.php

Monroe County Health Department
https://www2.monroecounty.gov/health-coronavirus
Phone: (585) 753-5555
Email: COVID19@monroecounty.gov

GSWNY takes the health and well-being of our girls, volunteers, employees and families very seriously. We will continue to share any relevant information as it becomes available.

The Genesee and Orleans County health departments have been preparing and responding to this possibility for weeks under the guidance of the New York State Department of Health and the federal Centers for Disease Control. Residents who are experiencing a fever, with cough and/or shortness of breath are advised to call your health care provider or urgent care center before going to seek medical care. Some insurance plans offer telemedicine options, and these can be most useful under these circumstances.

To hamper the spread of the virus, residents can practice social distancing and proper germ prevention practices:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing; going to the bathroom; and before eating or preparing food.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Avoid people who are sick.
• Disinfect high-traffic surfaces often.

If you have questions about recent travel and symptoms regarding COVID-19, please call the NYSDOH Coronavirus hotline: 1-888-364-3065.

Yours in Girl Scouting,

Alison Wilcox
CEO, Girl Scouts of Western New York