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WJTN News Headlines for Aug. 25, 2020

Chautauqua County health officials are currently monitoring an increased number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 among employees at the Fieldbrook Foods in Dunkirk.  Interim County Executive P-J Wendel says lab results received over the weekend confirmed 15 new COVID-19 cases in Chautauqua County... with 10 of those associated with Fieldbrook Foods.  Wendel adds there are now over 30 active cases in the county... most of those are associated with the food processor.
 
To date... Wendel says a total of 30 positive cases have been associated with Fieldbrook Foods... and, of those, 24 were workers and six were identified close contacts of the workers.  Public Health Director Christine Schuyler says they received the first positive COVID-19 test result related to Fieldbrook Foods on August 16th... and, "the initial case investigations found several confirmed cases associated with this employer, indicating the potential for a larger outbreak to occur." 
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The 15 new COVID cases brings the county's total number of cases to 301... with 261 now recovered.  Wendel says the largest groups including two men and three women in their 30s... and, another man and two women in their 40s.  He adds 130 cases under quarantine or isolation orders... and, 414 persons are under the "domestic traveler quarantine" after coming here from a state listed on the New York State travel advisory.  There have now been 30,542 negative test results to date.


Jamestown Mayor Eddie Sundquist is urging city residents to remain vigilant against the spread of COVID-19 after learning that a "high number" of the COVID cases at Fieldbrook Foods are workers who live in the Jamestown-area.  Sundquist outlined the concerns during his Mayor's Report at last night's work session at the Board of Public Utilities Office.  Sundquist says he discussed the matter with county officials Monday... and adds the city remains steadfast in enforcing safety protocols in their buildings.

Sundquist calls this a "serious matter..." and he urged anyone who is contacted for tracing to "fully cooperate with the County Health Department" so those cases can be isolated, and prevent the spread to more people.  He says "we're at a crucial juncture with COVID-19, and we need each and every citizen to remain diligent in following health directives.  Governor Cuomo earlier Monday added there was also a cluster of cases in the Buffalo-area they are watching.


A confirmed case of the COVID-19 virus has been found at Jamestown Community College... and, college officials have fully put their protocols in motion.  JCC officials announced Monday morning that a person "associated with the college community" had recently tested positive for the virus.  However... Vice-President of Student Affairs Kirk Young says -- due to privacy laws -- they can't identify the person... nor which campus was involved.  Young says Chautauqua County health officials were notified, and will do contact tracing.  He adds they have check points set up to screen people at each of their buildings.

Based on CDC recommendations -- Young says they developed, and put those protocols in place several months ago to ensure that anyone who had contact with someone who tested positive for the virus would be given information about quarantine measures, and testing.  All students and employees were notified of the COVID case in an e-mail Monday morning.

A man from Dunkirk has now been identified as the person who drowned in an accident in a fishing pond in the town of Dunkirk Sunday afternoon.  Sheriff's deputies were called to the scene off Bennett Road just before 2 PM.  Officers say 47 year-old Cristobal Navarro was found, and pronounced dead at the scene.  Investigators have been in contact with family members and the investigation is ongoing at this time.

An Erie, Pennsylvania woman faces Leandra's Law charges for allegedly driving while intoxicated with a 10 year-old child in the car early yesterday morning.  Sheriff's officers stopped a vehicle on Route 474 in the Town of French Creek just after 1 AM... and, identified the operator as 38 year-old Latasha Myers.  Deputies say Myers was taken into custody on additional charges of unlicensed operator and move from lane unsafely.  The child was returned to family members in Pennsylvania. 


A new market has opened in the village of Sherman at the former location of Mack's Hometown Market... which closed two years ago.  Interim Chautauqua County Executive P-J Wendel says Graham’s Market has opened at 104 Church Street... the original home of a Quality Markets store in 1969.  The closure of Mack's in 2018 created a “food desert” due to the fact that the closest grocery stores offering fresh produce were approximately 10 miles from Sherman.  Wendel says Sherman's population includes a large number of senior citizens and young families... and, both have limited access to transportation and therefore have limited access to nutritional food choices with no local grocery store.