Erie County COVID-19 Transmission Rate Rises

CDC

CDC Data Tracker as of Aug. 18, 2021

On Wednesday, Aug. 18, Erie County Executive Kathy Dahlkemper reported 31 new cases of COVID-19 in our area. 

In the last week, there have been 266 new cases of COVID-19 reported in Erie County According to the PA Department of Health, with 173 new cases reported the previous week, and 161 the week prior. Two additional deaths were reported this week as well, bringing the total to 423. 

Over the last seven days, there has been an average of 38 cases per week.

On Friday, Aug. 6, County Executive Kathy Dahlkemper and Erie County Department of Health reported that Erie County was categorized as having a substantial transmission rate of COVID-19. This distinction marks a rate of 50 to 100 positive cases per 100,000 people. The CDC recommends all people wear masks indoors in areas with a substantial or high transmission rate. 

Erie County was temporarily classified as having a high rate of transmission, before shifting back into substantial. Much of the American South is in the high phase at this time. 

"It's important to note that we are very, very close to a high rate of transmission, and we will likely move into that range by tomorrow" Dahlkemper stated. 

Erie County's cumulative total now stands at 21,920 total cases and 423 total deaths based on the PA Department of Health data. According to the Erie County Department of Health, there have been 482 deaths. A similar numerical discrepancy has been standard for the majority of the pandemic.

According to the PA Department of Health, there are 128,936 fully vaccinated residents in Erie County (an increase of 1,150 this week), now accounting for nearly 48.5% of the entire population. There are currently 10,740 partially vaccinated residents.

Day-to-day Breakdown 

Wednesday, Aug. 11 - 56

Thursday, Aug. 12 - 27

Friday, Aug. 13 - 34

Saturday, Aug. 14 - 54

Sunday, Aug. 15 - 29

Monday, Aug. 16 - 37

Tuesday, Aug. 17 - 29

Weekly Total: 266

(Dates indicate reporting of statistics, which references the previous day) 

*Statistics in NEDSS are readjusted for accuracy, often accounting for a patient's formal place of residency. 

State, Local, and National Statistics

Today, Pennsylvania saw 2,332 additional positive cases reported, for a total of 1,256,324 cumulative cases and 14,481 cases this week.

So far, there have been 28,018 deaths statewide, with 93 deaths this week.

So far, 11,930,426 doses of vaccine have been administered in PA, with 124,704 occurring last week.

According to the CDC, there have been 352,550,944 vaccines administered in the US. 

The US has a total of 36,951,181 total cases. There have been 113,993 new cases in the last 24 hours.  

The total number of deaths in the US is 620,493, with 535 in the last 24 hours.

As for updates in our nearby counties, Crawford County has 7,806 positive cases (up 43 this week) , with 158 deaths (up one). 

McKean County has 3,886 positive cases (up 31) and 75 deaths (no change). 

Venango County has 4,234 positive cases (up 44) and 105 deaths (up two). 

Warren County has 2,709 total positive cases (up 33), and 107 deaths (no change).