Urologist Eric Arnone, M.D. is assisted by Samantha Anderson, Sonographer and Echographer, as he identifies a lesion found on MRI using the Phillips UroNav MRI fusion in the surgical suite of UPMC Chautauqua. The new technology is part of a $347,732 grant from WCA Foundation that supports the hospital. It is used for early detection and diagnosis of prostate and kidney cancers. Submitted photo

Editor’s Note: Today, The Post-Journal starts a series of stories looking back at the top stories of 2020 and the way they will shape the coming year. Today, 20 for 2020 looks at health care stories that were among the most-read stories in the newspaper this year.

Surprisingly, the most-read health care story in The Post-Journal’s pages this year wasn’t a COVID-19 story — it was a new piece of equipment donated to UPMC Chautauqua by the WCA Foundation.

In July, the foundation announced it had donated a new UroNav Fusion Biopsy system and a BK Ultrasound system. The UroNav is used specifically to diagnose and examine prostate cancer while the BK 3000 Ultrasound machine is used to diagnose prostate and renal cancer. It works intraoperatively to identify kidney cancer during the prostate exam.

“This is a big one,” said Dr. Ryan White, a local urologist, as he spoke of the new UroNav Fusion Biopsy System and a BK 5000 Ultrasound purchased by WCA Foundation for patients of UPMC Chautauqua. “It’s a necessary change that was going to happen as time goes forward. To get the equipment before it is mandated speaks to the foresight of the hospital and our practice. It is still considered cutting edge.”

As we look to 2021, it’s obvious why so many readers viewed the story about the UroNav Fusion Biopsy system and the BK Ultrasound system. Previously, a lot of patients had to travel to Buffalo for this kind of care.

“Prostate cancer affects men is all localities. It’s genetic,” White said. “This allows us to investigate it locally. People are happy with what we are able to offer here. It is important they understand we make good judgements and refer when necessary. Any time we can keep people local for these services it is very worthwhile.”

Individuals interested in WCA Foundation and how they can partner with it to bring forth more next generation health care initiatives through its grants, may contact Brigetta Overcash, executive director of WCA Foundation, 664-5461, Overcashbe@upmc.edu or Megan Barone, director of development, 664-8423, Baromema3@upmc.edu. Donations to support this kind of healthcare in this region, can be made to the Fund for the Patients at www.wcafoundationjamestown.org or by mailing to WCA Foundation, P.O. Box 840; Jamestown, NY 14702-0840.

THE COVID-19 STORY

Of course, starting in March, COVID-19 began to dramatically change the way we live. It’s easy now, after living with pandemic-related restrictions since March, to forget just how uncertain things were nine months ago when restrictions were first discussed.

A good case in point was a local state of emergency declaration that prompted many schools to announce their closure for at least a month on March 14. At the time no cases of the virus had been confirmed locally, though three were reported in neighboring Erie County.

“There is no need to panic,” County Executive PJ Wendel said during a press conference in Mayville. “We want to make sure that everybody remains calm. What we are doing here is remaining vigilant as a county and preparing for the future.”

Wendel’s announcement came after Gov. Andrew Cuomo on March 7 declared a disaster emergency for New York state. At the time, two people had been placed into a precautionary quarantine.

“While there are no positive cases in our county, I do feel that it is inevitable,” said Christine Schuyler, county public health director. “This is a pandemic. The COVID-19 disease is here in our state. It’s in our neighboring states and it will come. That’s what a pandemic does.”

Five days later, Cuomo announced sweeping orders that severely restricted the ability of more than 19 million New York state residents to gather and socialize and to require workers in nonessential businesses to stay home. Nonessential gatherings of individuals of any size or for any reason were canceled or postponed, including parties and celebrations. Essential workers would be able to gather and people would be able to walk outside or take part in non-contact activities, but no “playing basketball with five other people,” Cuomo said at the time.

It took only a few more days for positive cases to make their way to Chautauqua County. Wendel said county public health staff had begun an “extensive investigation” to identify those who may have had contact with the two residents confirmed to have the virus. When identified, the county executive said health officials would notify those who may have been exposed while being placed in mandatory quarantine to monitor for symptoms. The March 23 disclosure of positive cases in the county also brought one of the first discussions of the need for personal protective equipment.

With a national shortage of personal protective equipment, Wendel said it is “critical that laboratory testing be prioritized for hospitalized patients and the very sick. It is critical that we protect our health care workforce. Any resident experiencing a fever with cough or shortness of breath, should call their health care provider first for guidance.

A HARROWING EXPERIENCE

One of those first two cases later detailed her experience.

Ronni Thompson first noticed something was amiss in early March when she couldn’t clear her throat. She was painting her living room inside her Dunkirk home, so she figured the dust was causing some irritation.

Three days later, her world went hazy.

“I was just withering in pain,” said the 33-year-old Thompson, who became the first Chautauqua County resident confirmed to have the coronavirus

“I had body aches and I couldn’t sit up,” she said of the worst pain she’s ever experienced in her life. “I had this awful cough. It just feels like someone punched you in the diaphragm, it was super, super painful.”

Asked of words of advice for those out there concerned or have questions regarding the virus, Thompson said to listen to the health care professionals and heed advice of staying home to limit the spread. She said those worried they may have the virus should contact their doctors as she did, and of course to wash their hands regularly.

“One hundred percent I am going to be changed for life,” Thompson said. “I’m going to think about my kids when we’re at the store and I’m going to have to think ahead from now on.”

SETTING THE STAGE

Fast forward to the end of the year, and news has come that the first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine were set to be administered to residents at Heritage Ministries’ skilled nursing facilities in Chautauqua County.

Lisa Haglund, Heritage president and CEO, said the organization would receive the vaccines as part of the federal government’s partnership with CVS and Walgreens. Pharmacists from the two national chains are scheduled to go into long-term care facilities to administer the doses to residents and staff.

Locally, Haglund estimates it will take about 30 to 60 days to complete the vaccination process in the facilities that include residents and staff. In the county, Heritage has about 800 residents and between 800 and 1,000 total employees.

“We are reaching out to every family to gain permission to roll this out at our skilled nursing facilities,” Haglund said. “They are the most vulnerable, and a good percentage of them are signing up to keep their loved ones safe.”

Vaccinations, the spread of the virus among those who haven’t been able to get vaccinations yet and the possibility of parts of Chautauqua County being in Cuomo’s microcluster designations will be the COVID-19 story for the first few months of the year.

“We are looking at spring before the general population will probably receive any vaccine. In the meantime, especially through these winter months … we really have to take care of ourselves and those that are close to us. Wear a mask, continue to wash hands, social distance and avoid large gatherings,” Schuyler said.