OBSERVER Photo by Natasha Matteliano The Beaver Club in Fredonia has been linked to seven cases of COVID-19 and is closed for two weeks.

North county social clubs appear to be a major culprit in the spread of COVID-19 in recent weeks.

As first reported by the OBSERVER, the primary locations where infections began to impact members with the virus included the Moniuszko Club, First Ward Falcons and Dunkirk Falcon Club three to four weeks ago. Just this past weekend, another organization — the Fredonia Beaver Club — was reported by the Chautauqua County Health Department to be linked to seven cases of COVID-19 reported over the weekend.

“Sporadic cases at various social clubs, especially in the north county, have been an issue but this is the first time we’ve seen cases from a single club reach cluster designation so rapidly,” said Christine Schuyler, county Public Health Director. “Clubs are not exempt from following the rules; members must work harder to protect one another.”

According to the Health Department, the Fredonia Beaver Club closed Saturday for two weeks for deep cleaning and to ensure appropriate COVID-19 precautionary measures are in place. Anyone who frequented the club in the last two weeks is advised to be extra vigilant with social distancing, masking and hand washing and should contact their health care provider if they develop symptoms of COVID-19. Also closed temporarily is the Dunkirk Falcon Club, which is located on East Benton Street in the city.

Those who test positive are ordered into mandatory isolation and anyone named as a close contact of someone who tests positive is ordered into mandatory quarantine.

One of those quarantining, though it is unknown if it is due to the social club outbreaks, is Dunkirk Mayor Wilfred Rosas. At a city budget hearing on Monday, council members noted his absence by stating he was in contact with someone who tested positive.

In an effort to control the spread of COVID-19 related to identified clusters in the north county, a free, rapid testing clinic will be held on Thursday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Murphy Training Center on the Dunkirk Training Grounds at 665 Brigham Road in Dunkirk. Those who believe they may have been exposed to COVID-19 can schedule an appointment to get tested.

The quickest way to get an appointment is to schedule on the New York State Department Health’s website at https://apps.health.ny.gov/doh2/applinks/cdmspr/2/counties?OpID=1300020. If you do not have internet access, you may call 1-866-604-6789 for scheduling assistance. However, due to current call volume, it may be take some time to get through to a scheduler.

This outbreak response clinic is possible because of limited rapid testing supplies provided to Chautauqua County by New York State. Testing is free. Appointments are required; walk-in testing is not available.

As for the most recent numbers, from Saturday to Monday there were a total of 22 cases with four on Monday. There are 21 hospitalizations through Sunday and the most recent cases include: six in Fredonia; three in Dunkirk; two in Jamestown, Westfield and Cherry Creek; and one in Bemus Point, Silver Creek, Lakewood, Portland, Cassadaga, Stockton and Forestville.

To date, there have been 1,081 recovered cases; 15 deaths; and 1,189 total confirmed cases.