BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN) – Hospitalizations are decreasing among what Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz characterized as the younger demographics, though hospitalizations as a whole have increased in recent days.
In his Wednesday update, Poloncarz said there was roughly double the amount of people admitted compared to discharged in the last two days.
Erie County represents the overwhelming majority of hospitalizations in the region. Poloncarz said there's been an increase in elderly residents, age 65 and up, who are being admitted into a local hospital.
The latest hospitalization data from NYS. 203 hospitalizations in WNY is a net gain of 14 from three days prior. pic.twitter.com/nhRE9Y0aVt
— Mike Baggerman (@MikeBaggerman) May 20, 2020"We need to continue to follow the smart social distancing rules," Poloncarz said. "Wear our masks when we're out in public. We're wearing it to protect ourselves and other people, including those in our senior population. It is a little concerning to see the numbers going up or staying fairly average for our senior population."
Poloncarz announced that the county's phone lines were "blasted" on Tuesday with residents scheduling an antibody test. He said the antibody test bookings have been filled through May, with thousands of people signing up for a test in the first day.
The county executive also reminds business owners to prepare a safety plan for opening and warned businesses that they risk a closure and a fine that may not be covered by a fine.
