As the recent COVID-19 surge impacts the region and nation, the toll is growing on front-line Chautauqua County Health Department workers.

“Chautauqua County is seeing more cases of COVID-19 than ever before. People are sick, and our health care system and public health workers are overwhelmed,” the department said in a news release. “You can help by following all of the recommended safety guidelines to reduce the spread of the disease in our community. The power lies in all of our hands.”

Since Friday’s 90 new cases, the county Health Department offered no updates on any coronavirus information through the weekend. Since March, the county has 1,883 total infections.

Hospitalizations in Western New York, however, are at some of the highest levels since the pandemic. Through Saturday, 470 reported in health-care facilities. New York state noted 72% of the beds in the region were occupied with 50% of the intensive-care unit facilities full.

Neighboring Cattaraugus County announced 125 new COVID cases from Friday through Sunday and its 32nd death related to the illness. A 71-year-old female who developed respiratory failure and was unable to overcome her illness despite aggressive medical treatment, the department announced. Since March, Cattaraugus County has recorded 1,403 total cases with 443 active. There are 23 hospitalized and 928 who have recovered.

State Gov. Andrew Cuomo said the state’s positivity rate is 4.71%.

“COVID-19 is spreading, and it affects all New Yorkers, Upstate and downstate,” the governor said. “This is a war and we continue to adapt to the enemy by making decisions based on data and science – not opinion and fear. We’re closely monitoring hospital capacity and have implemented triggers to ensure hospitals have what they need. The light at the end of the tunnel is the vaccine, and one is coming, but until then we must be disciplined. Public health experts agree households and private gatherings are a major driver of transmission right now, demonstrating once again that it is our actions that determine the infection rate. We know what works: wear a mask, avoid indoor gatherings, and socially distance, and the local governments must do enforcement. We will win this war but it will take vigilance and everyone working together.”