More than 28,000 residents in Chautauqua County have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine — representing 22% of the population.

According to New York state’s vaccination tracker, 28,190 residents in the county have now received their first shot, with 14,077 completing their vaccination series. In Cattaraugus County, 14,572 residents (19%) have received their first shot, with 8,280 receiving both.

In the past seven days, more than 1 million doses have been administered in New York state, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said in his daily vaccination report, with about 6.7 million doses to date.

“New York’s weekly vaccine allocation has been increasing over time, and we’re getting shots into arms as quickly as possible using our vast distribution network,” Cuomo said. “It’s critical that we continue to expand that network as eligibility expands and supply increases, and the state is doubling down on its commitment to equity and fairness in the distribution process, including reaching underserved communities. New Yorkers have gone through hell to reach this point, and now that the vaccine is here, we need to continue practicing safe behaviors until more residents and their families take the vaccine.”

In Chautauqua County, 59 new coronavirus cases were confirmed from Friday through Sunday in addition to one new virus-related death. Total cases have now topped 7,834, while the number of deaths has grown to 139.

See COVID, Page A6

There are currently nine people with the virus in the hospital, 357 in quarantine and a seven-day positivity rate of 0.08%.

PA LIMITS EXPAND

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf said Monday the state will expand more business and event capacity limits and lift a raft of long-standing coronavirus restrictions on bar service starting on Easter Sunday, giving some relief to one of the hardest-hit business sectors.

The announcement relaxing capacity limits on events is the second time Wolf has taken such a step this month as spring sports seasons start up and virus-related hospitalizations continue to decline. The relief is still three weeks away, meaning bars and restaurants will still have to live with the current limits during St. Patrick’s Day celebrations and the NCAA Tournament’s March Madness craze.

Those establishments can raise indoor capacity limits to a maximum of 75% from 50%, but must follow the state’s social-distancing requirements, which include wearing masks except for when eating and drinking.

Going away are a ban on seating at the bar and serving alcohol after 11 p.m., as well as a requirement that patrons order food with their alcoholic drinks.

Other businesses can also move to 75% of maximum capacity, including personal services salons, gyms, casinos, theaters and malls.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.