New York State Turns Red
From Staff Reports, 9/10/21
Infection rates continue to rise nationwide, including local cases and hospitalizations. Healthcare facilities have limited visitors and warned of a perfect autumn storm of virus, lack of vaccination, and a labor shortage. A recent report by Allegany Hope indicated that nearly 40% of patients currently admitted to Jones Memorial Hospital in Wellsville tested positive for Covid-19. The vast majority of those cases are unvaccinated patients but an increasing ‘breakthrough’ cases have been reported. Yesterday Allegany Hope reported the fourth Covid-related death:
“Allegany County has recorded its fourth COVID-19 death in two-and-a-half weeks and the second during the first eight days of this month.”
In Erie County, at least twenty residents have died from Covid during September alone. County Executive Mark Poloncarz tweeted this earlier in the week:
“COVID-19 Hospital Report for September 3: Erie Co. hospitals had 108 patients (up 12), 20 of whom were in the ICU, 17 of those on an airway assist, and 47% of the patients were aged 64 and under. Sadly, another two (2) persons died; 20 persons have died during the last 8 days.”
State Governor Kathy Hochul made it very clear that Covid-19 again reaching a crisis level but healthcare staffing shortages are of equal concern: “I’m sending out that alarm as we speak. I need more people to become health care workers.” That worry has been present for the duration of the pandemic but has become more acute in recent months. Healthcare workers have fled the industry for other jobs and a new state vaccine mandate has been cited in a spat of recent resignations.
New York schools are struggling with masking, staffing, testing, and transportation as a result of the pandemic. In nearby Andover NY, new school superintendent Derek Schuelein wrote a letter to the community regarding increasing infections and updated mask guidelines. Read that letter here:
