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COVID-19 Coverage

A Strain On Staffing: State Vaccine Mandate Pushing Some To Leave Health Care Jobs

A staffing crisis already staking a claim in Chautauqua County may go from bad to worse for some health care facilities due to New York state’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate. Lisa Haglund estimates between 70 and 100 unvaccinated workers at Heritage Ministries may end up quitting at locations across Chautauqua County before a state-imposed deadline. That’s about 10% of the Heritage workforce, said the president and CEO of the nonprofit organization that offers rehabilitation, skilled nursing, assisted living and long-term care options at several facilities. “We’re all in this ...

County Reports 115 New COVID Cases, 2 New Virus Deaths, 36 Hospitalizations

The Chautauqua County Department of Health reported 115 new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday, along with two new virus-related deaths, a bump in active cases and several new hospitalizations. A vast majority of the new cases (57) are among residents living in the Jamestown zip code. The other cases break down as follows: 11 in Fredonia; eight in Dunkirk; seven in Falconer; four each in Westfield, Stockton and Sinclairville; three each in Silver Creek, Bemus Point and Brocton; two each in Frewsburg, Lakewood and Sherman; and one each in Panama, Mayville, Kennedy, Cassadaga and ...

As COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates Rise, Religious Exemptions Grow

About 3,000 Los Angeles Police Department employees are citing religious objections to try to get out of the required COVID-19 vaccination. In Washington state, thousands of state workers are seeking similar exemptions. And an Arkansas hospital has been swamped with so many such requests ...

Hochul Addresses Staffing Concerns At Health Care Facilities

Health care facilities created plans last year to handle capacity issues. Gov. Kathy Hochul suggests those plans be dusted off as staffing shortages loom in health care facilities statewide. Hochul made her remarks in response to reporters' questions during a news conference Wednesday in ...

COVID-Positive Patients In The Hospital Tick Up Locally

SILVER CREEK — For the first time in 17 months, St. Columban’s on the Lake near Silver Creek has been touched by the COVID-19 virus. The Chautauqua County Department of Health on Monday noted 15 new cases in Silver Creek. Though not all are tied to the home, it is enough to suspend visiation. On its website, the home notes: “Due to recent positive COVID-19 test results at St. Columban’s on the Lake, we will be temporarily closed for visitation until further notice. Please keep our family of residents and staff in your prayers.” Administrator Sister Corona Colleary confirmed ...

COVID Hospitalizations Now Top 30 In County

The number of people admitted in local hospitals who have tested positive for COVID-19 continues to rise. The Chautauqua County Department of Health on Tuesday reported 31 hospitalizations, a bump of four from the weekend and 19 in the last seven days. The number represents those in Chautauqua County hospitals diagnosed with COVID-19, regardless of residency. Not since the beginning of the year has the COVID hospitalization rate been over 30 people. The health department also recorded 49 new virus cases, from information collected Monday. Of those, 22 came from the Jamestown zip ...