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Coronavirus coverage

The Chautauqua County Department of Health reported three new COVID-related deaths on Wednesday in addition to 70 new confirmed cases. To date, 32 county residents with the coronavirus have died. According to county Health Department data, three people between the ages of 40 to 49 have died; two between the ages of 50 to 59; three between 60 to 69; 10 between 70 and 79; 11 between 80 to 89; and three over the age of 90. The number of people with the virus in the hospital also increased, from 38 reported Tuesday to 43 on Wednesday. Those in quarantine also rose, from 1,696 to ...

Reason for optimism

Editor’s Note: Today, The OBSERVER continues its look back at the top stories of 2020 and the way they will shape the coming year. Today, 20 for 2020 looks at the business stories that were among the most-read in the newspaper this year. For years, Chautauqua County has tried to pivot its ...

Fate of Trump’s $2,000 checks now rests with GOP-led Senate

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump's push for $2,000 COVID-19 relief checks now rests with the Senate after the House voted overwhelmingly to meet the president's demand to increase the $600 stipends, but Republicans have shown little interest in boosting spending. The outcome is ...

NY plans crackdown on vaccine fraud as rollout continues

ALBANY (AP) — New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced a crackdown on potential vaccine fraud as state officials hope to provide an initial vaccine dose to 400,000 people by the end of the week. Cuomo, a Democrat, has touted New York's vaccination efforts even as the nation as a whole is short ...

County reports 81 new COVID cases, hospitalizations up

Three more have been hospitalized with the coronavirus as the Chautauqua County Health Department reported 81 new cases on Tuesday. The numbers, which reflect positive tests recorded on Monday, increase the county's active caseload to 441. There are now 38 people hospitalized with the virus in the county. Nineteen new cases were reported in Jamestown, 23 were reported in Dunkirk and nine were reported in Fredonia. There are now 125 active cases in Jamestown, while Dunkirk now has 64. Fredonia also has 31 active cases. Four more cases were reported in Lakewood, which now has ...

Senate GOP blocks push for Trump’s $2K checks

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on Tuesday blocked Democrats' push to immediately bring President Donald Trump's demand for bigger $2,000 COVID-19 relief checks up for a vote, saying the chamber would "begin a process" to address the issue. Pressure is mounting on ...