ERIE COUNTY, N.Y. — There are currently 121 positive cases of COVID-19, also known as the novel coronavirus, in Erie County. The Erie County Department of Health provided an update about the newest cases at a press conference Tuesday afternoon.
According to the county's coronavirus map, confirmed cases have been found in these different communities as of Tuesday afternoon
- 37 in Buffalo
- 36 in Amherst/Williamsville
- 7 in Hamburg/Blasdell
- 6 in Clarence
- 5 in Tonawanda/Kenmore
- 4 in West Seneca
- 4 in Orchard Park
- 4 in Lancaster
- 3 in North Collins
- 3 in Cheektowaga/Sloan/Depew
- 3 in Grand Island
- 2 in Elma
- 2 in Alden
- 1 in Lackawanna
- 1 in Aurora/East Aurora
- 1 in Evans/Angola
- 1 in Holland
- 1 in Concord/Springville
As of noon on March 24, 58 percent of the confirmed patients are male, 42 percent are female. County Executive Mark Poloncarz says the majority of their cases are under the age 60 years old.
- 0-20 years old: 6
- 20-29 years old: 16
- 30-39 years old: 25
- 40-49 years old: 15
- 50-59 years old: 16
- 60-69 years old: 13
- 70-79 years old: 5
- 80-above: 5
- 114 people are in isolation
- 193 individuals completed their quarantine
- 415 contacts are still in quarantine.
Poloncarz wants residents to know that the virus is in all of WNY and not assume you won't get it, if no cases have been confirmed in your town.
On Monday, health officials said the majority of the confirmed cases in Erie County range in ages of people in their 20s, 30s and 40s.
County Executive Mark Poloncarz said the number will continue to go up because of the wide spreading nature of the virus. He said everybody should act as if the virus is everywhere you go. Most of the recent cases are community spread, Poloncarz says.
Erie County Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Gale Burstein says now that we know it's in the community, residents need to monitor their symptoms:
- Fever (100.4 or higher)
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
Not everyone who has symptoms will be tested for coronavirus. County health officials using tests for the priority cases. Poloncarz says the county is planning to open a drive thru testing site for priority cases in the coming days.
When asked by reporters about the last of testing materials, the health commissioner said Monday they're doing all they can to be more tests.
Poloncarz says he has authorized the purchase of 400,000 NIOSH approved N95 masks from an international manufacture for $1.1 million. Fifty thousand will be delivered by April 11 in the initial shipment. They will be delivered to healthcare providers based on priority.
Erie County also announced temporary aid for needy families (TANF). If you are in need, please contact 716-858-8000.
The county executive says restaurants are still being inspected by health inspectors to ensure food safety continues during this crisis.
Health officials are also recommending those attending religious services to avoid them if possible.
County parks are currently open. However, playgrounds are closed.
Poloncarz then answered another popular question regarding businesses that might be violating Gov. Andrew Cuomo's executive orders regarding workforce reduction, physical distancing and/or closure of certain businesses.
Poloncarz is advising employees to report their concerns directly to the office of New York State Attorney General Letitia James through a new hotline at (212) 416-8700 or through email at labor.bureau@ag.ny.gov.
“We are all in this together and all employers need to take the coronavirus pandemic seriously to protect themselves and their employees. It is incumbent on all employers to follow the Governor’s Executive Orders and respect all labor laws as well,” Poloncarz said.
“I have been in contact with Attorney General James and I thank her for making this hotline available to employees whose employers are violating any Orders or laws. Now is the time for us to all pull together and we will all get through this together.”
This is an updated list of all known exposure locations as of Thursday night. The county has not released any new locations, but remind everyone that we should assume the virus is everywhere.
Public exposure locations:
- March 4, United Airlines Flight from Washington DC #UA6028 and Washington D.C. to Buffalo #UA481
- March 7, Shamrock Run, South Buffalo
- March 9, Amtrak Train 49, NYC to Buffalo
- March 9, Frontier Airlines Flight F9N2500, Tampa to Buffalo.
- March 9, all day, Hamburg High School
- March 10, WestJet Airline Flight 4 from London to Toronto
- March 10 United Flight 4233 From Chicago to Buffalo
- March 10, Galleria Mall in Cheektowaga
- March 10, 10-11:30 a.m.Barnes and Noble, Niagara Falls Boulevard in Amherst
- March 10, 7-8 p.m. Harlem Road Community Center.
- March 11, Wellnow Urgent Care on Transit Road in East Amherst
- March 11, 3-7 p.m. Larkin Center at 701 Seneca Street.
- March 11, midday, Robert H. Jackson US Courthouse in Buffalo
- March 11, 12 p.m. to 1 p.m., Catalyst Fitness at 1402 French Road Cheektowaga
- March 11, 6:15 p.m. to 10 p.m., North Collins Volunteer Fire Department in North Collins
- March 11, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Williamsville Library
- March 11,12-12:30 p.m. Wegmans on Alberta Drive in Amherst
- March 11, 7-8 p.m. Lexington Market and 7-11, Elmwood Village.
- March 12, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Hotel Henry Wellness Event in Buffalo
- March 12, 6:30 p.m. Aldi on Transit Road in Depew
- March 12, 7:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., Walmart Southwestern Blvd in Hamburg
- March 12, 8 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Lowes on Southwestern Blvd in Hamburg
- March 13, 9 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., Aldi on Sheridan Drive in Tonawanda
- March 13 1 p.m. Walmart on NIagara Falls Boulevard in North Tonawanda
- March 13, Southwest flight 2442 Ft. Lauderdale to Buffalo
- March 13, Rite Aid on North Buffalo Road in Orchard Park
- March 14, 3-3:30 p.m., Wegmans in Blasdell
- March 14, 7:30 p.m. Bed Bath and Beyond at McKinley Mall
- March 14, 8:15 p.m. Buy Buy Baby in Williamsville
- March 14, no time listed, Premier Liquor, 3900 Maple, Amherst
- March 14, 2:45 p.m. to 3:15 p.m., Tops Markets at 5274 Main Street in Amherst
- March 15, 11:30 a.m. Orangetheory Fitness at McKinley Mall
- March 15, midday, CVS on Main Street in East Aurora
- March 15, 1 p.m. Walmart on Niagara Falls Boulevard in North Tonawanda
- March 16, 12:40 p.m. to 1 p.m., Tops Markets, 2351 Maple Road, Amherst
- March 16, 3 p.m., Target on Niagara Falls Boulevard in Amherst
If you have been to any of these locations, you are advised to monitor your health for symptoms, you do not need to call the Erie County Department of Health.
