BREAKING - Lakewood Village Medics were called to the scene of a motor vehicle accident early this morning. County Dispatchers say a vehicle rollover was reported shortly before 6:30 AM.... and, the car came to rest in a ditch at 29-11 Route 394, near Chautauqua and Longview Avenues. No injuries have been reported at this time. Motorists are asked to proceed with caution, as roads may be slick in some spots today.
There's been one new case of Coronavirus in Chautauqua County... bringing the total since the outbreak began to 22. That from County Executive P-J Wendel... who said Thursday that this one was again in the "hot zone" of the county... the northeastern Fire Battalion District. There have NOW been 14 in that area.
There are now 117 people in mandatory isolation or quarantine. Wendel says there has now been 256 negative test results so far. Public Health Director Christine Schulyer says officials have been notified of people not heeding the "stay-at-home" orders, and congregating at supermarkets and convenience stores. Schuyler says only one person should be going out and getting necessary items to limit any potential exposure to the COVID-19 Virus. She adds that New York state today issued new directives, closing golf courses and boat launches. She and Wendel both again reminded residents to stay home as much as possible... and, use social distancing if you have to go someplace.
Residents of Chautauqua County who don't have a primary care doctor, or other medical provider are being urged to contact the Chautauqua Health Network to get one during this time. The Health Network said Thursday that residents need to do their part by calling their doctor if they are not feeling well instead of going to an emergency room, or urgent care. Public Health Director Christine Schuyler says the Chautauqua Center is also involved in the effort. Schuyler says the doctor will then do an evaluation to see if the patient should be tested for COVID-19. She says the county has been receiving more testing kits and other items and equipment needed... but, she adds they have no where near enough to test everyone who wants to be. If you need their help, call 338-0010, or e-mail chautauqua.health.network@CCHN.net, and you will receive a response within 24 hours.
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo says he knows if tough... but, he is pleading with residents to continue following social distancing guidelines to keep pushing down the number of COVID-19 cases. During his daily press briefing in Albany... Cuomo noted that hospitalizations now number just over 18,000 which is a significant number. He says the health care system -- while stretched in many places -- is holding up. Cuomo says much of any increase will completely overwhelm the system.
Cuomo says 799 state residents succumbed to the novel Coronavirus Wednesday, exceeding the 779 from the day before. That's three straight days of more than 700 deaths. He says most are people who have been in hospitals longer-term, and were on ventilators.
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Cuomo also announced yesterday that they were updating the New York State Unemployment Offices software last night to better handle the thousands of calls they've been getting. Since the outbreak, and it's fall-out... the head of the State Unemployment Office says they have processed 810,000 new applications. The system was down about two-hours so the state could work with Google to upgrade software to handle the volume after later in the evening.
First responders and city officials in Jamestown saluted local health care workers and doctors for their tireless efforts during the COVID-19 outbreak. Mayor Eddie Sundquist says he and other city employees, along with members of the fire and police departments, went to two locations to do a "Heroes for Heroes" salute.
Sundquist says they brought fire and police vehicles to UPMC Chautauqua Hospital... and, the Chautauqua Center in Brooklyn Square... with their sirens going to help show their appreciation. He says it's important to recognize what local health care workers are doing everyday during the Coronavirus pandemic. Sundquist made his comments for this weekend's "Community Spotlight" program on the six Media One Radio Group stations.
Pennsylvania schools will remain shuttered for the rest of the academic year because of the coronavirus pandemic under a new state order. Governor Tom Wolf's education secretary signed the closure order Thursday. The decision affects more than 1.7 million students in public and private K-12 schools. It means children will spend the rest of the academic year learning remotely. Wolf had previously closed schools indefinitely. Pennsylvania has seen more than 18,000 confirmed COVID-19 infections and, 338 deaths.
