etichy@post-journal.com
The report released Thursday by New York’s attorney general has further highlighted the difficulties in accurately documenting and reporting COVID-related deaths involving nursing homes especially for county health departments that are not always notified of such fatalities in the first place.
The investigation by Letitia James’ office takes aim at the state Health Department’s method in which virus deaths in nursing homes and adult care facilities are reported. The deaths, released daily by the state Health Department, do not reflect those moved to hospitals and who later die there. James’ report found that there were a larger number of nursing home residents who died from COVID-19 than indicated by the state.
Section VI Calls Pushes Back Start of High School Wrestling to May
BUFFALO – Section VI Athletic officials have postponed wrestling until the spring season.
This comes after a number of local county health commissioners – including Chautauqua County’s
Christine Schuyler – called for wrestling to either be postponed or cancelled this year.
The health officials say Wrestling involves participants sparring in very close physical proximity for extended periods of time, which significantly increases the risk of
COVID-19 transmission. The also cited a recent report that showed a COVID outbreak had taken place following a wrestling tournament in another area of the country.
Having the state run the vaccine distribution is frustrating local health officials.
During the Chautauqua County Health Board meeting, Christine Schuyler, county public health director and social services commissioner, said the state has restrictions on who they can provide a vaccine to.
“Local health departments across the state now can only vaccinate essential workers in Phase 1b,” she said.
The other approved vaccine providers include hospitals, urgent care centers, federally qualified health centers and pharmacies. Hospitals and the health centers are to focus on vaccinating the Phase 1a population (health care workers), although they have some flexibility. Pharmacies are only permitted to vaccinate those 65 and older.
Having the state run the vaccine distribution is frustrating local health officials.
During the Chautauqua County Health Board meeting, Christine Schuyler, county public health director and social services commissioner, said the state has restrictions on who they can provide a vaccine to.
“Local health departments across the state now can only vaccinate essential workers in Phase 1b,” she said.
The other approved vaccine providers include hospitals, urgent care centers, federally qualified health centers and pharmacies. Hospitals and the health centers are to focus on vaccinating the Phase 1a population (health care workers), although they have some flexibility. Pharmacies are only permitted to vaccinate those 65 and older.
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.”