Sept. 4, 2020
Erie County surpasses 10,000 total Covid-19 cases as WNY test rate remains high
Erie County confirmed its 10,000th case of Covid-19 earlier this week, passing a grim and unusual milestone amid ongoing concerns that the region has slackened in its six-month battle against Covid-19.
As of Friday afternoon, more than 10,156 people had tested positive for the disease in Erie County, according to state Department of Health data. Across the region, nearly 13,300 people – or roughly one in 105 people, across the total population – have tested positive since March 14, when Erie County reported its first case of the novel coronavirus.
Western New York’s positive test rate – the share of Covid-19 tests that come back positive, and an important predictor of the pandemic’s future course – also held steady at a seven-day average of 1.6% on Friday, roughly the same rate as a week ago. Western New York has now reported the highest daily positive test rate in the state for 14 of the past 15 days.
Its average new cases, which approached 90 per day earlier this week, are at their highest point since the region scaled up testing in late spring.
On Thursday, Gov. Andrew Cuomo told reporters the increase represented "a truly serious situation."
People are also reading…
- Keith McShea and Caitlin Dewey
Related Covid-19 Coverage
Return to school delayed for more than 1,000 Williamsville students: School Superintendent Scott Martzloff sent a letter to district parents Friday telling them that the school year for students in grades five through 12 who have chosen the fully remote learning option will be delayed as a result of circumstances created by the Covid-19 pandemic. Read more
Will students have to wear masks at their desks? The state teachers union is calling for face coverings to be mandatory in schools at all times, but some local districts plan to allow students to remove them at their desks while others are planning mask "breaks." Read more
Back-to-school shopping for a year like no other: "When the top school supplies on your list are masks and hand sanitizer, you know you're in uncharted territory." The Discount Diva offers tips for what parents need to know. Read more
Fredonia's active Covid-19 cases rise to 50: According to Fredonia State's online dashboard, 117 students are in quarantine, 90 of those off-campus. Its total case number is 51, with one of those having recovered. Read more
Niagara County given 5 rapid-testing machines for Covid-19: The machines may prove useful if there is a cluster outbreak of Covid-19 somewhere in the county – perhaps in a school after they reopen next week. Read more
CARES can help address back-to-school mental health concerns: With many children likely to be in school only two days a week or learning their lessons entirely online due to the pandemic, “we’ve seen a lot of parents who are just overwhelmed,” said Rachel Hiller, a Spectrum senior crisis clinician in the Crisis and Restabilization Emergency Services (CARES) program. Read more
NFTA to suspend three Metro Bus routes because of low ridership: Three Metro Bus routes are becoming casualties of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority announced Friday. Read more
UB men's, women's basketball scheduled to open MAC play Jan. 2: The University at Buffalo men’s and women’s basketball teams are scheduled to begin a revamped conference schedule in January. Read more
The Editorial Board: Everyone, including businesses, must work to prevent a new round of closures: If it takes shutting down some businesses again to protect Western New Yorkers and the long-term health of the economy, then that’s what will have to happen, writes The News' Editorial Board. Read more
Have thoughts on this newsletter? Email feedback@buffnews.com.
