Erie County Update: June 3, 2020

WQLN Livestream

Erie County Executive Kathy Dahlkemper returned to a video format at today's press conference. She reported seven new positive cases of COVID-19 today. This brings our cumulative total to 314 positive cases. The state data, including our county's negative test numbers and information on surrounding counties, were announced after the time of this writing. 

Later in the broadcast, it was confirmed that two Erie County residents recently passed away due to COVID-19, bringing our total to six. This has been the only time where more than one death has been reported on a single day. At the time of this writing, the state was reporting five deaths.

So far, there have been 197 recovered cases – with 7 recoveries reported by the county today – for a total of 111 current active cases. 

In Pennsylvania, there were 511 additional positive cases reported today 101 less than yesterday, for a total of 73,405 total cases. So far, there have been 5,742 deaths statewide, with 75 occurring since yesterday. 408,269 patients have tested negative to date, with 8,908 tests since the previous day. So far, 68% of PA's positive cases have recovered (up 1% since yesterday).

Erie County's cumulative positive case total has more than doubled since May 19. By our math, there have been 152 new cases reported over the last 14 days (between May 21 and June 3), for a ratio of more than 55 cases per 100,000 people in the last 14 days. One of the state's thresholds for returning to the Red phase – in addition to several other factors – is a new case count of over 50 per 100,000.

Erie County's latest breakdown by sex:

55% Female

45% Male

Breakdown by age group*:

3% Age 4 or younger

1% Age 5 - 9

4% Age 10 - 18

13% Age 19 - 24

45% Age 25 - 49 

24% Age 50 - 64

9% Age 65 or older

Compared to statewide data, Erie County has a larger percentage of cases aged 25-49 and a lower percentage of cases in those aged 65 and older. 

Breakdown by race and ethnicity:

57% Caucasian/White (because of the NEDS classification within this category, 13% of this group are Hispanic/Latinx, with 3% unknown)

30% African-American/Black

8% Asian

2% Multi-racial

1% Other

2% Unknown

*Percentages may not equal 100% due to rounding.

According to the PA National Electronic Disease Surveillance System (PA NEDSS), Erie County's hospital preparedness data is:

Available Adult ICU Beds: 43

Available Medical/Surgical Beds: 118

Available Pediatric ICU Beds: 0

Available Airborne Isolation Room Beds: 13

Total Number of Ventilators: 156

Ventilators in Use (COVID-19): 0

Ventilators in Use (non-COVID-19): 39

[note: there has been very little change in this data since we last updated it on May 21.]

The county recently began training their newly hired contact tracers, and are still looking for more applicants at careers.eriecountypa.gov. 

Dahlkemper noted that the environmental task force witnessed some businesses using the Pennsylvania Recreation and Park Society guidelines in lieu of the state guidelines for COVID-19 safety, which are the guidelines that should be followed (which restricts health and wellness operations from opening).

A few businesses were noted for their exemplary work in following safety regulations. They were: Lavery Brewing Co., Connie's Ice Cream, and the Erie Family Center.

Dahlkemper spoke of the recent efforts of many local leaders including herself, Mayor Schember, state representatives, and hospital officials to reach out to Governor Tom Wolf, petitioning the state to move Erie County to the Green phase. It is expected that the Governor will make a statement on Friday to this effect.