Chautauqua County reported 99 new cases of the novel coronavirus on Friday — 41 of which having been reported in the Jamestown zip code.

The county’s largest municipality now has 123 active cases as of Thursday, believed to be the most since the pandemic began in March. The county only started reporting active cases in each zip code on Dec. 1, since which the active caseload in the city has quadrupled.

“One doesn’t need to wait for a call from the Health Department to take action to prevent the spread of COVID-19,” said Christine Schuyler, county public health director. “To help us reduce the spread of infection, we want people to know what to do if they develop COVID-19 symptoms, test positive for COVID-19, or are a close contact of someone who tests positive.”

Like the Western New York region, hospitalizations continued on a downward trend to close out the week. Of the 474 hospitalized in the eight counties, 31 are in Chautauqua County, down from a high of 36 on Tuesday and down from 34 on Wednesday.

Having previously tied any new restrictions to the hospitalization rate in the state, Gov. Andrew Cuomo indicated that a statewide shutdown does not appear imminent after discussions with hospital leaders both upstate and down.

Hospitals are required to notify the state when they are three weeks from 85% maximum capacity — the threshold by which a new PAUSE order would be declared.

“No hospital in the state believes that they are going to hit 85% by Jan. 8,” the governor said during a press briefing on Friday. “That’s good news.”

“Shutdowns are very, very harmful,” he added. “They hurt a lot of people. They hurt businesses. They have mental health consequences. The last thing anybody wants is a shutdown. … We need a new mantra: slow the spread, stop the shutdown.”

The governor also announced during the briefing that the state will receive 346,000 doses of the Moderna-manufactured COVID-19 vaccine on Monday. Of that shipment, 36,800 doses are expected to be distributed across Western New York by Buffalo-based Catholic Health, the regional distributor as designated by the state Department of Health.

Earlier this week, UPMC Chautauqua officials announced that 900 doses of the shipment are expected locally.

Vaccinations in nursing homes — a federal program operated by CVS and Walgreens — are also expected to begin on Monday.

County officials are warning the public about a potential scam related to the COVID-19 vaccine. As the vaccine rolls out nationwide, scammers are acting quickly to get personal and financial information.

“The vaccine will be rolled out in phases, and you cannot pay to get your name on a list to receive the vaccine and you cannot pay for early access,” the county said in a news release. “Individuals will also not be contacted by the Health Department, Medicare, or their insurance company to request information such as their social security number in order to sign them up to receive the vaccine.

“If an individual contacts you making these promises or requesting this information, stop- it is a scam.”

The county also noted several tips:

¯ only get a vaccine from a trusted source such as a doctor;

¯ do not click social media posts, texts, or email links selling cures;

¯ no one will call about the vaccine or request a social security number, Medicare number, bank account or credit card information.

Individuals who receive any such communication are encouraged to report it to their local police agency, NY Connects Helpline at 753-4582, or the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/ .

Neighboring Cattaraugus County announced three more deaths related to the virus on Thursday and Friday in addition to 85 new cases on Thursday.

The 34th recorded death was a 87-year-old female who developed respiratory failure and was unable to overcome her illness despite aggressive medical treatment.

The 35th recorded death was a 62-year-old male who developed respiratory failure and was unable to overcome his illness despite aggressive medical treatment.

The 36th death was a 76-year-old male who experienced a cardiac event and was unable to overcome his illness despite aggressive medical treatment.

As of Friday morning, there were 699 active cases and 32 hospitalized.