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COVID Cases Again On Rise Locally

The number of people hospitalized locally due to COVID-19 has nearly tripled in the last month.

The increase, from four reported April 6 to 11 as of Tuesday, comes as more virus cases also are being detected in labs, through wastewater monitoring and in school districts across Chautauqua County.

Christine Schuyler, county public health director, and Bree Agett, county Health Department epidemiologist, said residents and visitors at risk for severe illness are encouraged to wear a face mask indoors. That group includes senior citizens, those with underlying health conditions, women who are pregnant, those not fully vaccinated and those who have had COVID in the past.

“We can all work on staying healthy by remembering infection prevention strategies: Staying up to date with recommended vaccinations, washing hands frequently, holding social gatherings outdoors, routinely sanitizing surfaces, staying home when sick, limiting close contacts indoors and wearing masks,” Schuyler and Agett said in a joint statement.

According to the state Health Department, there were 47 new lab-confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Chautauqua County on Monday out of 213 samples tested. In the last seven days, 11.9% of samples sent to state labs have come back positive.

Information on positive samples do not include tests taken at home.

COMMUNITY LEVEL LOW

Though documented cases of COVID-19 are rising in Chautauqua County, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention community level remains low. The community level is low in Allegany County, medium in Cattaraugus County and high in Erie and Niagara counties.

Schuyler and Agett cautioned that even with the community level at low, at-risk residents should still take precautions.

AVAILABLE HOSPITAL BEDS

Just under one-third of hospital beds were available in the county, according to information provided by facilities to the state. According to the most recent data, of the 116 total beds at Brooks-TLC Hospital System in Dunkirk, UPMC Chautauqua in Jamestown and Westfield Memorial Hospital, 32 were available for new patients.

In the last seven days, bed availability has remained at 28%.

Of the 15 total beds in intensive care units at UPMC Chautauqua and Brooks, eight were available in the latest data. In the last week on average, 39% of ICU beds were available.

VACCINATION RATES

As of Tuesday, 62.9% of Chautauqua County residents over the age of 5 have been fully vaccinated against the virus. For those 12 years or older, 66.3% of the county’s population have been fully vaccinated.

Gregory Bacon contributed to this story.

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