ERIE COUNTY, N.Y. — The Erie County COVID-19 tracking map was updated Wednesday evening, reporting seven more coronavirus-related deaths. At this time 254 Erie County residents have died from coronavirus.
New information provided by the Erie County Department of Health Wednesday afternoon shows that the majority of those who have died from coronavirus are male.
The COVID-19 map also shows 91 new positive cases of coronavirus, bringing the total number of positive cases to 3,315. So far, 15,219 people have been tested for COVID-19 in Erie County.
Troubling Trend
Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz says over the past three days, coronavirus hospital admissions have exceeded discharges. Poloncarz added that as of Monday there were 44 new admissions compared to 25 discharges, which is the highest date on record for hospitalizations in Erie County.
As of Monday, 258 people were hospitalized, and of those, 116 were in the ICU, and 74 of those individuals in the ICU had an airway assist.
It reflects the highest number of COVID-19 hospitalizations in Erie County since the outbreak of the pandemic here.
"We're heading in the wrong direction," said Poloncarz, who noted after several days last week where it appeared the curve was flattening, it took a disappointing turn upward in the last three days.
According to Governor Andrew Cuomo, in order to lift his "NY on Pause" order, a region of the state must meet certain benchmarks outlined in a 12-step process he revealed on Tuesday.
Cuomo's order closed schools, shuttered most businesses, and left millions unemployed across the state.
Those steps, described as difficult and painful by the Governor, were taken under the theory (and with the hope) that they might help curb the spread of the virus.
A Setback Toward Reopening
The uptick in Erie County's COVID-19 hospitalizations is a setback toward meeting one of the key steps the Governor would use in determining whether certain regions of the state will be allowed to reopen: a 14-day downward trend in hospitalizations.
This was a standard adopted by Cuomo as recommended by the Trump Administration.
With a little over two weeks before Cuomo's current pause order is set to expire on May 15, however, it does leave some time for Erie County to meet that goal.
Poloncarz says Erie County residents need to do a better job of helping to prevent the spread, because if they don't Erie County will not reopen anytime soon based on the standards issued by the CDC and New York State.
"It's quite apparent that people are not following the guidelines because more people are getting sick, and it's disappointing to see," Poloncarz said.
The county executive once again stresses that younger people are not immune to COVID-19.
Better News
Despite the record high number of hospitalizations, the hospitals in Erie County are from overrun.
This is good news in meeting another of the reopening benchmarks, which require that hospitals have at least 30 percent of their beds available to treat COVID 19 patients should there be a surge in cases.
According to Poloncarz, 50% of the hospital beds are currently empty and 41% percent of all ICU beds available.
This would also allow hospitals to resume potentially life saving elective procedures, such as colonoscopies and breast cancer screenings which were also ordered stopped by Cuomo.
Despite the numbers, and Poloncarz's effort to convince the Governor to reopen elective procedures, the governor has yet allow it.
According to hospitals, resuming elective procedures would not impact their efforts to treat coronavirus, while allowing them to begin hiring back furloughed staff and cease hemorrhaging money.
Testing if You Need It
Poloncarz says at this time any symptomatic individual will be tested for COVID-19. However, sample collection is by appointment only, you can call (716) 858-2929 to set up an appointment.
- Choose option one if you're a member of the public and have a general question.
- Choose option two if you are ill with COVID-19 symptoms and have a primary care provider.
- Choose option three if you are ill with COVID-19 symptoms and do not have a primary care provider.
- Choose option four if you are a health care provider.
If you are tested for COVID-19 by any lab, you are under Erie County isolation orders and you must remain in isolation until you get your results. You may be eligible for paid leave through New York State and the U.S. Department of Labor.
Erie County Health Department, Kaleida Health, Catholic Health, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Erie County Medical Center, WellNow Urgent Care, Quest and some primary care providers are all testing for COVID-19.
You can watch the full Erie County coronavirus update below: