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New York tallies record number of COVID-19 infections

NEW YORK (AP) — New York state reported Friday that just over 21,000 people had tested positive for COVID-19 the previous day, the highest single-day total for new cases since testing for the virus became widely available. One day snapshots of virus statistics can be an unreliable way to measure trends, but the new record punctuated a steady increase that started in the western part of the state in late October, and has taken off in New York City in the past week. Just under half of the positive results were in the city, where lines were growing at testing stations and some ...

Mask rules are back in New York as cold-weather cases surge

NEW YORK (AP) — A mask mandate for shops and other indoor spaces in New York state took effect Monday as officials confront a surge in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations. Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Friday that masks would be required in all indoor public places unless the businesses or ...

Justices won’t block vaccine mandate for NY health workers

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court refused Monday to halt a COVID-19 vaccine requirement for health care workers in New York that does not offer an exemption for religious reasons. The court acted on emergency appeals filed by doctors, nurses and other medical workers who say they are ...

Hochul To Begin State Mask Mandate Dec. 13

NEW YORK (AP) — Facing a winter surge in COVID-19 infections, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Friday that masks will be required in all indoor public places unless the businesses or venues implement a vaccine requirement. Hochul said the decision to impose a mask mandate was based on ...

Local hospitals among facilities to limit non-essential procedures

Two of Chautauqua County's hospitals are among 32 facilities across New York state that will begin limiting non-essential surgeries this week. The move follows an executive order signed by Gov. Kathy Hochul and is in response to a growing concern over hospital bed availability during the ...

New cases of virus continues to spike in county

Chautauqua County averaged more than 124 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 last week, continuing what has been a recent surge of people testing positive for the virus. In addition, five new virus-related deaths have been reported from Nov. 28 through Dec. 4 in information posted Wednesday by the county Health Department. The hospitalization rate, those in local hospitals and are COVID-positive, remains high at 51. The number of active cases also jumped — from 648 the week ending Nov. 27 to 741 last week, as well as those in quarantine — from 995 the week ending Nov. 27 to ...