BUFFALO, N.Y. — Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz says 30 more Erie County residents have died from coronavirus since Friday, bringing the total number of deaths in the county to 387.
Erie County released new COVID-19 data Monday, showing that there are 151 new confirmed coronavirus cases in the county since Friday, bringing the total to 4,484. Poloncarz announced that the confirmed positive rate is 18.7%, with 4,484 testing positive from 26,783 tested in the county.
Though those numbers may seem slightly off, Poloncarz said it's because many people have had multiple tests, some cases are still being investigated and various other reasons.
Poloncarz announced that the positive rate for last week dropped to 12.1%, over 3% less than the previous week. Of the antibody tests, 19,845 have been administered and 1,547 residents have tested positive for the antibodies. In the county, that's 7.8% of everybody tested has been positive for COVID-19 antibodies.
In order for WNY to beginning phase one of reopening, they must meet the seven guidelines set out by the CDC.
The WNY region, which includes Erie and Niagara County, still has to meet the 14-day decline in hospitalizations and a 14-day decline in hospitalized deaths.
When questioned by 2 On Your Side's Dave McKinley (see video at top of this page) on if the state will release hospitalization numbers by region on a consistent basis, Cuomo said that was a good question. Officials say the regional hospitalization numbers will be on the state's website beginning Monday.
Cuomo says New York will reopen statewide for certain businesses and recreational activities that are deemed low-risk as of May 15. They include:
- Landscaping and gardening
- Outdoor, low-risk recreational activities (ex. tennis)
- Drive-in movie theaters.
WEB EXTRA: NY Forward guide to reopening
The governor also announced the regional "control teams" that will monitor the reopening phases.
Here is who is on the WNY 'Control Team":
- Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul
- Howard Zemsky, ESD Board Chair
- Richard Lipsitz, President WNY Area Labor Federation
- Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz
- Niagara County Chair Becky Wydysh
- Chautauqua County Executive PJ Wendel
- Cattaraugus County Admin. Jack Searles
- Allegany County Chair Curtis Crandall
- City of Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown
- City of Niagara Falls Mayor Robert Restaino
- Jamestown Mayor Eddie Sundquist