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Confirmed Cases Of Virus Reach 18 In County

MAYVILLE — Four new cases of the coronavirus have been confirmed in Chautauqua County.

The additional cases include two men, one his 30s and the other in his 70s, and two women in their 50s, and brings the total locally to 18.

The bulk of those with the virus — 12 as of Sunday — live in the northern portion of the county; two live in the eastern part of the county; and four reside in the southern portion.

No cases have been confirmed in the western portion, though county health officials say it’s likely COVID-19 is circulating throughout the region.

As of Sunday, 97 county residents are under quarantine/isolation orders and are being monitored. “Not all of those being monitored are confirmed to have COVID-19 but have either shown symptoms, are awaiting results or have risk factors,” the county Department of Health and Human Services said in its daily update.

Five county residents have fully recovered from the virus, while one death has been reported.

The county Health Department said testing supplies and personal protective equipment, used when doing a test and treating infected patients, continue to be in low supply across the state and especially in rural areas where population density is low. At this time, tests “must be prioritized for hospitalized patients, ill healthcare workers, and those who have underlying health conditions,” the county said.

At the moment, there are three locations in Chautauqua County where outpatient testing is performed: UPMC’s Jones Hill Center; and The Chautauqua Center in Jamestown and Dunkirk. Testing is not done without a healthcare provider’s order.

Federal and state officials are now recommending the wearing of homemade masks or scarves by the general public. “This act will protect the public from your respiratory droplets,” the county said. “It is now estimated that 30% of those infected with coronavirus don’t know they are infected. This is one more step to try and decrease the spread of coronavirus.”

In Cattaraugus County, nine people are confirmed to have the virus, up one from previous reports.

A woman with no known travel history was tested Friday after being in close contact with someone confirmed to have COVID-19. The woman did not present any symptoms — fever, cough or body aches — but the test did come back positive Saturday.

“The patient is resting at home and now under quarantine with her family,” the Cattaraugus County Department of Health announced. “She will be assessed for any medical support that we can provide, and we will monitor her symptoms closely.”

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