The Post-Journal
FREDONIA – The COVID-19 pandemic will go down in history for a number of reasons, including how many people it affected, from health to home life and everything in between.
Many industries in the area have changed and adapted to the situation thrust upon them in 2020, none more-so than the health care industry.
“2020 was like riding a tilt-a-whirl that was spinning really fast with no real guidance,” said Emelia Harley, vice president of patient care services and chief nursing officer at UPMC Chautauqua. “For health care in general, this has been a really, really tough year. There has been an incredible amount of illness and death that people have experienced … and I don’t necessarily mean local, but throughout the nation. It’s been tough and it’s been stressful for all.”
etichy@post-journal.com
Two more virus-related deaths, and 13 new confirmed cases of COVID-19, were reported Tuesday by the Chautauqua County Department of Health.
After going nearly a month without a new death associated with the virus, the county has recorded four since Friday. The ages break down as follows: four between the ages of 40 and 49; five between 50 and 59; 15 between 60 and 69; 30 between 70 and 79; 56 between 80 and 89; and 36 over the age of 90.
Of the new cases reported, from information collected Monday, seven have come from the Jamestown zip code, two in Mayville and one each in Dunkirk, Forestville, Bemus Point and Cassadaga.
To date there have been 8,757 confirmed cases, 8,419 recoveries and 146 virus-related deaths. There are currently 192 active cases, 12 people with COVID in the hospital, 500 in quarantine and a seven-day positivity rate of 2.3%.
etichy@post-journal.com
Michelle Johnson-Anderson, right, is pictured with Amanda Merchant. Johnson-Anderson has been an instructor for the licensed practical nursing program at Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES for almost two decades. She was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in August.
Michelle Johnson-Anderson never intended to become a nurse. It was a guidance counselor at Panama Central School who pointed her in that direction.
That advice ultimately set into motion what ended up being a 40-year career in the field, with the last half as the longest-serving instructor for the licensed practical nursing program at Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES. During that time she has helped guide aspiring nurses into countless careers in hospitals, assisted living facilities, nursing homes and management.
etichy@post-journal.com
Submitted photo
Michelle Johnson-Anderson, right, is pictured with Amanda Merchant. Johnson-Anderson has been an instructor for the licensed practical nursing program at Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES for almost two decades.
Michelle Johnson-Anderson never intended to become a nurse. It was a guidance counselor at Panama Central School in New York who pointed her in that direction.
That advice ultimately set into motion what ended up being a 40-year career in the field, early on at Warren General Hospital and with the last half as an instructor for the licensed practical nursing program at Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES. During that time she has helped guide aspiring nurses into countless careers in hospitals, assisted living facilities, nursing homes and management.