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MAYVILLE – The Chautauqua County Board of Health is ramping up enforcement of COVID-19 rules.

The group says social gatherings are driving up case numbers in the county and contributing to community spread of the virus.

“The Health Department and County Sheriff’s Office have been inundated with COVID-19 complaints and every effort is being made to investigate and resolve each of them,” said County Public Health Director Christine Schuyler in a statement. “We are hopeful that issuing fines for violations will reinforce the importance of following the state’s rules, help improve compliance and ultimately, reduce the spread of COVID-19 in our communities.”

The board is now ramping up efforts to crack down on people who host or promote social events. Offenders could face a fine up to $15,000.

Businesses are also being put on notice, they’ll be fined up to $2,000 a day if they aren’t in line with the state’s rules.