There are new COVID-19 guidelines for seniors in Chautauqua County.

On Friday, Mary Ann Spanos, Chautauqua County Office for the Aging executive director, said there are new guidelines that will allow for older adults to gather with others. She said the new Phase One guidelines for seniors is allowing them to meet others outdoors in groups of no more than five to six people. She said they should wear masks and practice social distancing. However, she added that activities like playing cards or Bingo is not recommended at this time.

Phase Two rules for seniors interacting with others will start in July when group sizes are being recommended to be between 10 to 15 people. Spanos said older adults will be recommended to still meet only outside. She said it’s not recommended for seniors to meet inside where there is a higher risk of being infected by the virus.

Spanos said in August and in the fall, another phase of the senior plan will start with the recommendation being that no more than 15 to 20 people gather at a time. She said there should be no big group activities like the senior picnic, which has been canceled this year. She added that it is not recommended for there to be activities with a lot of touching of objects like Bingo games.

County Executive PJ Wendel noted, during a statewide control room meeting, that Gov. Andrew Cuomo said he is considering opening up visitation at adult living facilities, but they are still currently closed to visitors.

“Interactivity between loved ones is critical for seniors,” Wendel said. “We had questions about when we will be able to open up (adult living facilities) so people can visit there relatives.”

Also during the statewide control room meeting, Wendel said Cuomo announced that New York state now has the lowest prevalence rate of positive tests in the country. He said that is remarkable given that New York state a couple months ago was the epicenter of COVID-19 in the country. He added the state’s positive test rate is now only 1.3%.

The information the governor shared with county officials is matching what they are seeing in the last week. Wendel said 4,000 negative test results have been returned to the county.

Christine Schuyler, county public health commissioner, said the increase in testing is mainly do to the new state guidelines for workers at adult living facilities and for patients having elective surgery at a hospital.

Schuyler said as far as nursing home workers, of the 2,500 people employed at adult living facilities in the county, only 10 have tested positive for the COVID-19 while no patient has tested positive.

“It’s a true testament of (personal protective equipment),” she said. “When caring for patients, you really can stop the spread of the disease.”

During the news conference, Wendel announced there is one new case Friday of COVID-19, a female in her 30s. He said there are 12 active cases and no one is hospitalized with a COVID-19 diagnoses. He said in total there has been 106 cases, with 88 people fully recovered and six fatalities. He said there has been 8,427 total negative test results.