BUFFALO, N.Y. — According to state data provided by Gov. Kathy Hochul's office, Erie County had 2,252 new COVID cases on Wednesday.
Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz on Thursday tweeted that this was a record-setting number of cases.
"The increase in cases has been absolutely extraordinary, and presumably this is all due to (the omicron variant), which is incredibly infectious. Package that together with indoor holiday gatherings, and that leads us to this record increase of cases," according to University at Buffalo's chief of infectious disease, Dr. Thomas Russo.
Five Erie County residents died of COVID on Wednesday, according to Gov. Kathy Hochul's office. Since Christmas Day, the state says 28 Erie County residents have died of the coronavirus.
"As the New Year approaches, it's more important than ever that we take the necessary precautions to keep each other safe in the face of the COVID winter surge," Hochul said in a statement.
The Western New York region's seven-day average of cases per population of 100,000 on Wednesday was 101.55, the fourth-highest number of New York regions. The highest numbers were posted in New York City (359.92), Long Island (293.16) and Mid-Hudson (209.51).
The Western New York region includes Erie, Niagara, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, and Allegany counties.
Since December 9, state data shows hospitalizations in the Western New York region have been in a downward trend.
The Finger Lakes region -- which includes Orleans, Genesee, and Wyoming counties -- had a seven-day average of 72.95.
"It's up to all of us to make 2022 a safer, healthier year than 2021 was," Hochul said. "Get vaccinated, get boosted, mask up, and avoid large indoor public gatherings when possible."
The state has recently aimed to prevent COVID spread in schools.