Jan 23, 2021
COVID-19 is taking its most devastating hit on our region at this time. Twice within a seven-day span, capacity levels were so high at the Brooks-TLC Hospital System in Dunkirk that the Health Department had to issue a surge diversion.
Simply put, that means the staff-to-patient ratio is at the limit. No more patients can be accepted if less absolutely necessary.
According to hospital officials, who met with the OBSERVER in December, the facility at that time had 39 beds for those needing hospitalization. However, the bigger issue has to deal with staffing. Those employees who can help care for those needing immediate treatment.
gbacon@observertoday.com
Before Thursday, Chautauqua County’s Health Department had been under-reporting the number of deaths tied to COVID-19 through no fault of their own.
In its daily update Friday, the county noted that 75 people have died due to complications associated with the virus, adding 23 to the total. “Sadly, deaths from COVID-19 reported today are 23,” the department reported. “These county residents have died over the last few weeks in long term care facilities. COVID-19 cases in long term care facilities are monitored and managed by the New York State Department of Health. Deaths in long term care facilities and hospitals must be reported to the state, not to the county Health Department. Statistics and information is as updated and accurate as possible, based on the information available to us and provided to us.”
etichy@post-journal.com
Another COVID-related death was reported Thursday by the Chautauqua County Department of Health. The death, which appears to be a person over the age of 90, marks five in the last week, 20 since the beginning of January and 52 to date.
Of the deaths noted thus far during the pandemic, four have included people between the ages of 40 and 49; three between 50 and 59; five between 60 and 69; 14 between 70 and 79; 21 between 80 and 89; and five over the age of 90.
Many of the most recent virus-related deaths in the county have been tied to local nursing homes. According to state Health Department data from information collected from facilities, there have been 19 deaths at Chautauqua Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Dunkirk, two more than reported Wednesday. Two deaths also have been reported at Heritage Green in Greenhurst and three at Absolut Care of Westfield.
etichy@post-journal.com
Another COVID-related death was reported Thursday by the Chautauqua County Department of Health. The death, which appears to be a person over the age of 90, marks five in the last week, 20 since the beginning of January and 52 to date.
Of the deaths noted thus far during the pandemic, four have included people between the ages of 40 and 49; three between 50 and 59; five between 60 and 69; 14 between 70 and 79; 21 between 80 and 89; and five over the age of 90.
Many of the most recent virus-related deaths in the county have been tied to local nursing homes. According to state Health Department data from information collected from facilities, there have been 19 deaths at Chautauqua Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Dunkirk, two more than reported Wednesday. Two deaths also have been reported at Heritage Green in Greenhurst and three at Absolut Care of Westfield.
Jan 16, 2021
What is happening at nursing homes across our region is extremely heartbreaking. Since the pandemic began, our most vulnerable for contracting COVID-19 are those whose health has been compromised or the senior population.
Sadly, recent numbers are proving that once the virus enters a nursing or adult care facility, it only begins to percolate. As of last week, there had been more than 30 deaths and about 200 total cases in Warren County’s facilities. Within the last three weeks, the Chautauqua Nursing & Rehabilitation Center that is located in Chautauqua County, has reported 12 deaths and 40 cases involving patients with another 34 affecting the staff.