State Guidance On COVID To Impact Schools Differently

August 29, 2022

New York’s late adoption of federal Center for Disease Control guidelines for schools will affect area schools differently. CDC officials announced on Aug. 10 the end of many pandemic-related restrictions, including the recommendation schools do routine daily testing, although that practice can be reinstated in certain situations during a surge in infections, officials said. The CDC also dropped a “test-to-stay” recommendation, which said students exposed to COVID-19 could regularly test — instead of quarantining at home — to keep attending school. With no quarantine ...

Extension Of State’s COVID Emergency Ignites Backlash

August 19, 2022

ALBANY — Gov. Kathy Hochul’s latest extension of her emergency powers to manage the pandemic is facing questions and criticisms at a time when federal health officials say they have ended their recommendations that people quarantine if they have been exposed to COVID-19. “We shouldn’t be in a continual state of emergency, especially when we know what the issues are,” said Rachael Fauss, senior research analyst for Reinvent Albany, a good government group. “At this point, this should be the purview of the Legislature,” Fauss added. Although many local government boards ...

JPS Awaits Potential COVID Guidelines From State

August 18, 2022

Jamestown Public Schools officials are awaiting potential COVID-19 guidelines from the state Education Department after the nation’s top public health agency recently dropped its quarantine and distancing recommendations. Dr. Kevin Whitaker said he hopes state guidance follows that of the ...

Some Schools Hit Hard By Virus Make Few Changes For New Year

July 25, 2022

As a new school year approaches, COVID-19 infections are again on the rise, fueled by highly transmissible variants, filling families with dread. They fear the return of a pandemic scourge: outbreaks that sideline large numbers of teachers, close school buildings and force students back into ...

County Lags On Child COVID Vaccines

July 23, 2022

MAYVILLE — Not a lot of families have gotten their very young children vaccinated for COVID-19 at public clinics. According to Chautauqua County Health Department data discussed Thursday by the county Board of Health, 19 children between the ages of 6 months and 5 years old received their ...

County Fair Officially Opens After COVID-19 Hiatus

July 20, 2022

DUNKIRK — The 138th iteration of the Chautauqua County Fair kicked off Tuesday morning with the firing of the ceremonial cannon. Fair President Dave Wilson said he was happy to see everyone back this year. Tuesday’s opening marked the fair’s full return since the onset of the ...