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    Reported tornado causes damage in Great Valley
    Breaking News
    Reported tornado causes damage in Great Valley
    June 10, 2025
    GREAT VALLEY — Another wave of severe storms passed through the area Monday evening, with a reported tornado causing significant damage to homes and o...
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    Still no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Cattaraugus County
    Cattco, Coronavirus, Featured, Local News, News
    RICK MILLER County Reporter  
    March 26, 2020

    Still no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Cattaraugus County

    Cattaraugus County residents have yet to register any positive COVID-19 coronavirus test, Public Health Director Dr. Kevin Watkins said Wednesday.

    Cattaraugus County residents have yet to register any positive COVID-19 coronavirus test, Public Health Director Dr. Kevin Watkins said Wednesday.

    On Tuesday, Cattaraugus became the only county in Western New York without a confirmed case of the novel coronavirus as Chautauqua County posted two positive results.

    “We have five more negative test results today,” Watkins said. “We are the only Western New York county with no confirmed cases.” There are only nine counties now without a confirmed case of COVID-19.

    There are 95 people in quarantine in the county, Watkins said, with 76 under mandatory quarantine and 19 under precautionary quarantine.

    Although the county has not recorded any positive coronavirus cases, Watkins is sure it is out there.

    “The prevalence of the virus in our community is still considered low,” Watkins said. “We highly suspect it is in the area. We are very concerned due to the proximity of the virus in surrounding counties. Erie and Wyoming counties reported their first deaths.”

    Watkins said the dire situation occurring downstate with COVID-19 cases and 200 deaths, has local officials concerned over what a surge in cases would look like here. “We are doing everything we can.”

    Olean General Hospital is moving to increase its bed capacity by 75 beds. Other sites are also being sought, he said.

    As soon as sample kits come in, the county health department plans to ramp up a mobile drive-through testing site.

    “We plan to do a lot more testing in the community,” said Watkins, who has been frustrated with the lack of testing.

    Medical personnel and first responders would be tested first. Residents traveling from countries or communities with widespread COVID-19 would also be among the first to be tested. That includes people coming from New York City and others who medical providers feel need to be tested.

    “I’m really concerned about (people coming from) New York City,” Watkins said. “Travelers from New York City should really consider isolating for 14 days.”

    Watkins emphasized how important it is for area residents who do not have to travel to stay in their homes.

    “I’m pretty confident the virus exists here,” he said. “You do not die from coronavirus; you die from complications.”

    NO LOST MEDICAID

    No one who currently has Medicaid coverage will lose their coverage during this time of the COVID-19 pandemic, Cattaraugus County Social Services officials said Wednesday.

    “If you get a notice telling you that your Medicaid is discontinued after March 18, 2020, your coverage will be reinstated so there is no gap in coverage,” the statement said to Medicaid recipients. “There is no need to come to the Department of Social Services due to such a notice.”

    Anyone with questions is urged to contact the Department of Social Services at 373-8065.

    (Contact reporter Rick Miller at rmiller@oleantimesherald.com. Follow him on Twitter, @RMillerOTH)

    Tags:

    cattaraugus county coronavirus kevin watkins medicaid medicine official resident virus
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    Salamanca Press

    Local & Social
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    Old Times Remembered for June 19–25
    Featured, Local News, News, ...
    Old Times Remembered for June 19–25
    Kellen Quigley 
    June 19, 2025
    100 Years June 19, 1925: (SALAMANCA —) The old stone house on the Parker Farm, about three miles south of the city in Allegany State Park and located ...
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    Cattaraugus County Source, Special Sections
    Cattaraugus County Source 06-19-2025
    mkeim@oleantimesherald.com 
    June 19, 2025
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    Opinion
    Kellen’s Pressing Issue
    June 19, 2025
    150 Years Ago If you happened to take a look at the Old Times Remembered section this week, you may have noticed that the 150 years ago portion is mis...
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    June 19, 2025
    Battling chipmunks Chipmunks… cute, furry little critters and big menaces. You love ‘em and you hate ‘em. I’ve been battling them for years and still ...
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    WVDP helps save $8 million for the Department of Energy
    Cattco, Featured, Local News, ...
    WVDP helps save $8 million for the Department of Energy
    June 18, 2025
    WEST VALLEY — Working together, CH2M HILL BWXT West Valley (CHBWV) and other prime contractor sites are eliminating inefficiencies, improving operatio...
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    West Valley chamber provides scholarships to WVCS grads
    Cattco, Featured, News, ...
    West Valley chamber provides scholarships to WVCS grads
    June 18, 2025
    WEST VALLEY — The West Valley Chamber of Commerce recently presented two awards at the West Valley Central School’s Academic Awards & Scholarship Banq...
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    Cattaraugus County Source
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    Cattaraugus County Source 06-19-2025
    Cattaraugus County Source, Special Sections
    Cattaraugus County Source 06-19-2025
    mkeim@oleantimesherald.com 
    June 19, 2025
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