BUFFALO, N.Y. — Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz provided a COVID-19 update Tuesday, November 17 regarding the rise in cases in the region and an update into Erie County's Yellow Zone areas.
Poloncarz announced that a decision could be made Wednesday by New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo on whether or not the Yellow Zone in Erie County will be expanded or if it will be shifted to an Orange or Red Zone.
"This is a very serious, significant problem in Erie County," Poloncarz said.
Leaders across the state and local level, including health officials, are currently discussing the options for Erie County. There is a 'significant chance' that areas in Erie County not in the current Yellow Zone will be added into Yellow Zone on Wednesday.
"There is not a single town or city in Erie County that doesn't have an infection rate under 3 percent," Poloncarz said.
The Town of Elma led all areas in Erie County last week with an 11.8 percent infection rate.
For the Erie County Yellow Zone, the state reports that the positivity rate for Monday increased nearly 2 percent from Sunday increasing to 8.05 percent on Monday. (The positivity rate for the Erie County cluster reported to the state for Sunday was 6.36 percent)
The current seven day rolling average for the Erie County cluster is 7.33 percent. The state also reports that there were 392 new positive cases in Erie County and there were 11 new COVID-related deaths in the county.
If Erie County were to see further restrictions, here is the breakdown of each zone according to the state's website:
YELLOW
Non-Residential Gatherings: 25 people maximum, indoors and outdoors
Residential Gatherings: 10 people maximum, indoors and outdoors
House of Worship: 50 percent of maximum capacity
Businesses: Open
Dining: Indoor and outdoor dining permitted, four person maximum per table; bars and restaurants close at 10 p.m. for on-premises consumption
Schools: Open, 20 percent weekly testing of in-person students and faculty
ORANGE
Non-Residential Gatherings: 10 people maximum, indoors and outdoors
Residential Gatherings: 10 people maximum, indoors and outdoors
House of Worship: Lesser of: 33 percent of maximum capacity, 25 people
Businesses: Certain high-risk non-essential businesses (eg., gyms, fitness centers and classes, barber shops, hair salons, personal care services) are closed
Dining: Outdoor dining, takeout or delivery only, four person maximum per table, and bars and restaurants close at 10 p.m. for on-premises consumption
Schools: Closed* Remote-only
RED
Non-Residential Gatherings: Prohibited
Residential Gatherings: Prohibited
House of Worship: Lesser of: 25 percent of maximum capacity, 10 people
Businesses: Non-essential businesses are closed
Dining: Takeout or delivery only
Schools: Closed* Remote-only
You can watch the full update from Erie County below:
