Interim Public Health Director Dr. Michael Faulk addresses Chautauqua County Legislature (December 21, 2022)

The Chautauqua County Legislature has approved two local laws creating management salary plans.

Human Resources Director Deb Makowski explained to the legislature that the two laws are to increase salary ranges, “Not salaries. So basically, the only financial impact to the two proposed local laws is six individuals who would then fall below the minimum of their newly assigned range. They would need to be bumped up to get to that minimum of the salary range. And that total impact cost will come out to $9,948.”

Legislator Liz Rankin voiced her support for the second of the two laws, saying whatever can be done for recruitment and retention of quality employees should be done.

Legislator Marty Proctor made a motion to amend a resolution to provide $99,962 in American Rescue Plan funding to reopen an isolation-quarantine housing project. His amendment aimed to clarify that people using the facility would be doing so on a voluntary basis.

Legislator Rankin said she and Proctor supported the amendment given past concerns, “There was a lot of public concern that this might be forced quarantine and for us, on county basis, to make sure that it’s voluntary. I think this is extremely important and so this amendment will confirm that to the public. That this is what we stand behind – to protect public and civil and independent rights.”

The resolution passed with the amendment

Interim Public Health Department Director and County Physician Dr. Michael Faulk was asked to clarify a resolution approving an agreement with the New York State Department of Health regarding the poliovirus vaccine.

Faulk said the agreement allows the county Health Department to accept supply of the Poliovirus vaccine from the state, “There are, there may be individuals in our county that decide for themselves that they would like to get the polio vaccine but may not have a physician or provider who can give that to them. We, as a Health Department, can offer that and the State will provide that vaccine to us. So, basically it’s just an agreement between Chautauqua County and the state for us to receive that vaccine.”

Faulk said the vaccine would be free and noted that there are currently no new cases of polio in Chautauqua County, although one had been discovered in Rockland County this summer. The legislature also passed this resolution.

The next meeting of the Chautauqua County Legislature will be their organizational meeting held at 4:00 p.m., Tuesday, January 3, 2023.

He stated there is not a case of polio in Chautauqua County.

Chautauqua County Health Department staff had sent out information to team members in county government about a case found in Rockland County, New York as a heads-up.

The case in Rockland County was the first recorded case of polio in the United States in nearly a decade.

Polio is a viral disease that can affect the nervous system and cause muscle weakness.

County Executive PJ Wendel, in his monthly interview with WRFA, did say vaccinations had eradicated a lot of diseases in the past like polio, “There are some who argue about the detriment of vaccines, but it’s been proven that vaccines have saved lives and vaccines have been effective in treating many, many illnesses. So, unfortunately, we’ll evaluate the situation, how this person contracted polio, but it’s a concern. These types of diseases are brought about by Mother Nature and she’s a pretty tough cookie. She doesn’t always let things rest.”

On the topic of the new Monkeypox virus, Wendel said that virus is not anywhere near as prevalent or easy to spread as COVID-19 but urges those with rashes or lesions they’re concerned about to contact their healthcare providers for treatment.

Federal officials announced Thursday that New York State is receiving more doses of Monkeypox vaccine.

Governor Kathy Hochul issued a statement saying, “I am grateful to President Biden and other Administration officials for their help in securing an additional 110,000 monkeypox vaccine doses – approximately 80,000 to New York City and 30,000 to the rest of New York State – which will be delivered over the next four to six weeks and allow us to continue to respond to this troubling outbreak. This builds on the more than 60,000 monkeypox doses that New York City and New York State have received to date due to our ongoing coordination with the federal government.”

In regards to COVID-19, the Chautauqua County Health Department’s weekly update reported the county’s 7-day average positivity rate is now 15.2% with the CDC Community Level raised to moderate. Three people are currently hospitalized in Chautauqua County due to COVID.

Under the moderate community level, the CDC recommends people wear a mask if you have symptoms, a positive test, or exposure to someone with COVID-19. They also recommend wearing a mask on public transportation.