NIAGARA COUNTY, N.Y. (WBEN) - Six more Niagara County residents have died, bringing the total death toll in the county to 34.
Three women, ages 61, 83, and 94, plus three men, ages 62, 89, and 90, are among the dead. All of those who died had underlying health conditions.
"Today is the worst day yet in Niagara County," Niagara County Chairwoman said during her daily update on Tuesday.
All told, there are 570 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Niagara County, an increase of 41 from Monday. The 41 new cases are the most in a single day, though Wydysh said that is the result of more testing capabilities. There are 19 people currently hospitalized with COVID-19.
There are more test kits now arriving in Niagara County. Wydysh said that the rate positive tests are decreasing. She also said that she hopes to get to the testing benchmark of 30 per 1,000 residents for the region to reopen.
Still, she said there needs to be more testing in the City of Niagara Falls, which has the most confirmed cases of coronavirus at 141. There will be a mobile testing site at the Community Health Center of Niagara at 2715 Highland Avenue on May 9 and May 17. To schedule an appointment, call (716) 986-9119 x5907.
There are 287 people who have recovered from the disease. Among them is Gina Virtuoso, the daughter of Niagara County Legislature Dennis Virtuoso.
"Gina is a nurse at Sister's Hospital and a mother of three," Wydysh said. "She contracted the COVID-19 virus. She went through two weeks at home in isolation and has now recovered, which is wonderful to hear and she's back to work. What does she do, but go to volunteer at the St. Joseph Hospital, which is a COVID-19 treatment center."