churst@post-journal.com
After peaking at 9% on Wednesday, Chautauqua County saw a slight drop in COVID-19 positivity rate on Thursday even as it reported 71 new cases and a 25th virus-related fatality.
In addition to the cases, The county Department of Health reported a seven-day positivity rate of 8.8% on Thursday. Meanwhile, 34 people are hospitalized with the virus a drop of two from information released on Wednesday.
The fatality, the second recorded in as many days, appears to be an individual in their 80s, according to a breakdown of deaths by age demographic released by the county. Of the 90 residents between the ages of 80 and 89 to have been diagnosed with the virus, nine have passed away a 10% fatality rate and the largest of any age demographic in the county.