Health care leaders who oversee a network of hospitals, including UPMC Chautauqua WCA in Jamestown, activated its COVID-19 preparedness plan Tuesday.

"The communities UPMC serves in Pennsylvania, New York, Maryland, and Ohio are experiencing the highest number of COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations since the start of this pandemic," said Leslie Davis, UPMC executive vice president.

To help combat the increase, leaders with UPMC in Pennsylvania say Wednesday they've added nearly 200 nurses to its network and expanded bed capacity over the past two weeks.

Yet no additional nurses have been sent to UPMC Chautauqua WCA at this time, despite an increase in the number of local COVID-19 cases.

"But they're within their bed capacity. They're doing just fine. We've been able to help them," said Davis.

Leaders are also preparing to receive thousands of doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for frontline works who voluntarily want to receive it.

Yet doctors say until the vaccine gets federal approval, they're prepared to store it before they give out the first dose.

"For COVID-19, we are ready. For our communities in Maryland and New York we work with the respective agencies in those states with their distribution models," said Dr. Graham Snyder, UPMC medical director of infection protection.

Doctors say the vaccine may not be available to the general public for months, and warn that many people in the communities they serve may still decline the opportunity to receive it.

"It does not mean that we can stop wearing masks, distancing and washing our hands. These fundamental interventions work together with vaccines to bring an end to the pandemic," said Dr. Snyder.

"We must continue the basic public health practices that we know protect us and are needed now particularly this holiday season," said Dr. Donald Yealy, UPMC senior medical director.

There were 10 COVID-19 patients at UPMC Chautauqua as of Tuesday afternoon.