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.
adolce@observertoday.com
Pictured are Lisa Barone from Brooks Hospital; Julie Lawrie, a nurse at Dunkirk Middle School; and Nichole Dispense, a nurse at School No. 7.
The Dunkirk Central School District held a community forum this week to educate and inform district residents about the risks of COVID-19, in regards to reopening to students.
The panel included Lisa Barone, director of infection control and employee health at Brooks Memorial Hospital; Nichole Dispense, School No. 7 nurse; and Julie Lawrie, a nurse at Dunkirk Middle School.
The forum lasted an hour and a half, and featured questions from people in the community.
Facebook blocks Trump for remainder of term while Twitter sets permanent ban
Numerous advertisers have paused their social media campaigns over the events at the Capitol.
Barry Schwartz on January 11, 2021 at 11:27 am
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Last Wednesday, America went through surreal times when a large group of Trump supporters stormed the Capitol after the President posted numerous social media posts on Twitter and Facebook inciting action from those supporters.
Facebook has blocked President Donald Trump from posting on its platform for the remainder of his term as President of the United States. Twitter initially set a 12-hour temporary action of blocking Trump from posting on its platform with a warning that the company may permanently disable his account. On Friday, they updated their statement to ban Trump’s account permanently.
This was no ordinary shot in the arm last week. It was history in the making.
Last Wednesday, an emergency room nurse was the first to receive a COVID-19 vaccine at Brooks-TLC Hospital. The Dunkirk facility received its shipment of the vaccines on Tuesday.
Sara Couchman was the first to receive a dose, reported by Brooks officials on Wednesday. “I’m happy this is the beginning of a new era, and also the end of pain and suffering for so many families,” she said. Lisa Barone, director of infection control and surgical services, administered the first vaccination. “This is the first ray of hope we’ve seen in a long time.”
This was no ordinary shot in the arm last week. It was history in the making.
Last Wednesday, an emergency room nurse was the first to receive a COVID-19 vaccine at Brooks-TLC Hospital. The Dunkirk facility received its shipment of the vaccines on Tuesday.
Sara Couchman was the first to receive a dose, reported by Brooks officials on Wednesday. “I’m happy this is the beginning of a new era, and also the end of pain and suffering for so many families,” she said. Lisa Barone, director of infection control and surgical services, administered the first vaccination. “This is the first ray of hope we’ve seen in a long time.”