BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN) – The positive test rate for coronavirus is leveling off in Erie County, though officials warn that the rate is still high enough to go into the state's red zone.
Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz said it is good to see that the positive rates are leveling off but warns the public that more restrictions could come from the state if county residents continue to spread the disease that has killed 771 residents as of Saturday.
"We're seeing an explosion of cases these last couple of weeks," said Erie County Commissioner of Health Dr. Gale Burstein. "We've seen ten times as many patients as we did a month ago, and the positivity rate is six times higher than the week ending October 17."
Of course, one of the factors drawing more and more concern from local officials in recent weeks is the escalating hospitalization rates.
"The hospital systems in Erie County will have enough beds, but I worry about staffing and PPE," said Poloncarz. "We have to be able to keep the numbers down. We are worried about the next couple of weeks."
The Erie County Department of Health also acknowledged "unacceptable delays" in notifying Erie County residents of their COVID test results.
[shortcode-inline-related expand="1" link="/wben/news/local/health-officials-unacceptable-delays-on-notifications" headline="Erie County Health Department acknowledges "unacceptable delays" on notifying COVID-positive residents" image="/media-library/image.jpg?id=63607960"]Burstein noted there were ten cases over the weekend that had notification times over seven days, and she added that steps have been taken to ensure that won't happen in the future, saying the Health Department will contact residents within 24 hours of a positive or negative test.
