OBSERVER Staff Report

The Chautauqua County Department of Health and Human Services on Thursday detailed the perils of spreading COVID-19 by attending gatherings while not feeling well.

In a news release, the county Health Department detailed the “real-life scenario” in which one person with the virus attended a party within the county. Of those there, 12 ranging in age from under 20 to over 70 were in close contact and became infected.

Of those 12 people (who all tested positive for COVID-19), four were asymptomatic; the other eight people developed symptoms at varying periods after the party (between three and 14 days).

Those 12 people, prior to knowing they had COVID-19, reportedly passed the virus on to an additional six people ranging in age from under 20 to over 60; there were an equal number of females and males in this group. All six developed symptoms between 6 and 19 days from the date of the party.

Those six people, prior to knowing they had COVID-19, passed the virus on to an additional three people — one male and two females, ranging in age from under 20 to over 70, all symptomatic between 11 and 17 days from the date of the party.

Bree Agett, epidemiologist for the county, worked with the nursing division to analyze data related to confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 linked to the party.

“Bree’s work in connecting the dots brings to life the importance of staying home when you don’t feel well – even mildly ill – and the importance of avoiding gatherings of people, wearing face coverings and maintaining social distancing,” said Christine Schuyler, County Director of Public Health and Human Services. “Ignore these precautions and you could pass the SARS-CoV-2 virus and resulting COVID-19 infection to other people at a party or gathering.”

THREE NEW CASES

Three new cases of COVID-19 were reported Thursday by the Chautauqua County Department of Health. The new cases involve a person under the age of 18, a woman in her 40s and a man in his 40s.

There remains 21 active cases of people who continue to recover under orders from local health officials.

The county Health Department said there are 138 county residents who are in quarantine or isolation. Not all of those being monitored are confirmed to have COVID-19 but have either shown symptoms, are awaiting results, or have risk factors.

In addition, there are 1,076 persons under domestic traveler quarantine for having arrived to Chautauqua County from a state listed on the New York state travel advisory.

There remains one person hospitalized with the coronavirus as of Tuesday as well as nine deaths to date, 218 recoveries, 248 total confirmed cases and 24,354 negative test results.