ERIE COUNTY, N.Y. — Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz tweeted Monday evening that the total for COVID-19 related deaths in Erie County is at least 73, but currently New York State's record for Erie County is 94.
Poloncarz says the county is looking into it to see where the discrepancy is.
2 On Your Side has also reached out to county health officials to get a clearer picture of this as well.
As of Tuesday afternoon, there is 1,661 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Erie County, according to the county's coronavirus map. Of those confirmed cases, 1,116 are active, 479 people have recovered, and 73 people have died.
Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz says five people have died from
Poloncarz held his daily press conference with Erie County Health Commissioner Dr. Gale Burstein on Monday, saying 234 individuals were hospitalized Saturday. Of those individuals, 117 people are in the ICU and 100 people had an airway assist.
Poloncarz says although we've seen an increase in hospitalizations, there has been a flattening of the number of people in the ICU. Additionally, the average percentage of people in the ICU on airway assist decreased from 95 percent to 85 percent.
He also added that the youngest people they've had test positive are in the range of 5-years-old to 9-years-old, showing that anyone is susceptible to the virus.
Of the 66 deaths, Poloncarz says 20 individuals were black or African-American and 45 were white. Out of the deaths, 62 were identified non-Hispanic and two were Hispanic.
Poloncarz says they've been speaking with multiple parties in communities of color about how to better care for those communities, but these parties have argued for increased testing, which the county currently does not have the capacity to do.
Burstein says the best thing everyone can do is continue to follow the recommended guidelines, stay home, and check in on their neighbors and loved ones.
Poloncarz says the county did not get N95 masks from the state but did get "hundreds of thousands" of gowns and gloves, as well as boxes of protective goggles on Sunday. The PPE will be distributed to hospitals based on need and requests.
The county is also asking that business in both the public and private sector owners fill out an impact survey, which can be found by clicking here.
Burstein discussed the importance of making a plan in case you or someone in your household gets sick.
The county also said that volunteers are needed:
- Community efforts for transportation, delivery of needed items, and social connections - call (716) 858-8526
- Hearts and Hands - (716) 406-8311
- FeedMore WNY - (716) 822-2002
Poloncarz finished the press conference by taking a shot of krupnik with Burstein in honor of Dyngus Day.
