Breaking News

Substitute teachers become ‘gold commodity’ for schools

Since the pandemic began, school districts have learned to be ready for any eventuality, but the most difficult thing for which to prepare may be staffing shortages. School districts across the region are experiencing difficulty finding substitute teachers, as well as substitute nurses, bus ...

Hochul warns of January COVID-19 surge as case counts rise

PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. (AP) — New York Gov. Kathy Hochul warned Wednesday of a January surge in COVID-19 infections as hospitalizations from the virus continued to rise. More than 67,000 people tested positive for COVID-19 across the state on Tuesday, Hochul said, and about 6,700 were ...

COVID hospitalization rate remains stable in county

The number of people inside Chautauqua County hospitals who have tested positive for COVID-19 dropped just slightly last week. However, the vast majority — 32 of the 39 hospitalizations — involve individuals not fully vaccinated against the virus. On Tuesday, the county Health ...

Less than 40% of the eligible population in Chautauqua County is not vaccinated against COVID-19 yet they account for nearly 70% of those hospitalized with the virus, the county Health Department said. "I'm very concerned that as people gather for the holidays, especially indoors, we're going to see an even bigger surge in cases, hospitalizations and deaths than we're seeing after the Thanksgiving holiday," said Christine Schuyler, county public health director. Just over 79,000 people in the county over the age of 5 — representing those eligible to be vaccinated — have received ...

State offers counties reimbursement for mask mandate enforcement

Nearly all staffed acute care beds in Chautauqua County hospitals are occupied as of Sunday, according to information provided by hospitals to the state Health Department. UPMC Chautauqua WCA had all 82 of its staffed acute care beds occupied through Sunday, with 27 of those patients ...

Region has highest COVID positivity rate, state notes

Once again, Western New York has the highest rate of positive tests for COVID-19 in New York state. According to numbers released Saturday, our region's seven day rate is 9.05%. Other region's facing challenges numbers include Long Island at 8.73%; the Finger Lakes at 8.26%; and Central New York and the Mohawk Valley at 8.2%. In terms of hospitalizations, there are 497 beds occupied in Western New York through Thursday and 99 in intensive care units. Those numbers are down from 514 and 101 on Wednesday. "This is not like the beginning of the pandemic. We are prepared for the winter ...