MAYVILLE – Chautauqua County officials reported two new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total to 42.
There are six active cases. Eighty-one people remain in quarantine.
Chautauqua County P.J. Wendel says the county, with assistance from Congressman Tom Reed and Quest Diagnostics, will be able to run up to 3,000 tests a day.
“This moves our region one step closer to being able to safely reopen and start rebuilding our economy, while closely monitoring public health and the spread of the virus.”
The County Executive adds that Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz and Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul were pleased to hear the news during a separate virtual conference that he was included in.
Wendel highlighted teachers, superintendents and others that are in the education field.
“I thank every teacher for all that you’re doing in a job that is becoming more and more challenging every day,” Wendel said.
Wendel also thanked nurses throughout the county for their work during this “challenging” time, especially during National Nurses Week 2020.
Chautauqua County Public Director Christine Schuyler says that the county has a greater testing capability. She says nearly 50 first responders will be tested tomorrow for the virus at the recently added Mayville site.
Doctor Robert Burke was also in attendance. He said he and other doctors are concerned about various “data” that is being released, such as the drop of emergency room visits. Burke adds that there’s been a “dramatic” drop for heart attacks, strokes, etc.
“Although we are seeing a dramatic drop in all types of visits to the ER, including visits for serious issues such as stroke and heart attack, the national statistics for all cause mortality aside from COVID-19 related deaths are up.”
“People are afraid to go to the emergency room because of the COVID pandemic,” Burke said. “We strongly encourage people with those symptoms not to wait.”
Burke says to also be careful about what information is being released to the public.
Wendel says that he hopes to see Chautauqua County “sooner rather than later,” but did acknowledge that any executive order from the Governor’s office would supersede his actions.
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