Courtesy of the Erie County Department of Health
It may be hard to believe, but Erie County is currently experiencing one of the highest rates of reported cases of COVID-19 in the United States. Recently, there were 1,000 cases reported in one day. This did not include at-home test results.
According to Gale Burstein, MD, Erie County Commissioner of Health, “When communities, like ours, experience high rates of infection, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends wearing a well-fitting mask indoors in public, regardless of vaccination status (including in K-12 schools and other indoor community settings).” Dr. Burstein also emphasizes the importance of vaccines.
“COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness can decrease over time, especially for older adults and individuals with immunocompromising conditions,” says Dr. Burstein. “Also, the immune response to a COVID-19 vaccine may not be as strong in these populations. The ‘boost’ of a booster dose does exactly what it says, adding another level of protection against moderate and severe illness.”
“If you are eligible for a booster dose, now is the time to get one,” Dr. Burstein continued. “These boosters work with the previous vaccine series to improve your body’s ability to recognize the novel coronavirus, and reduce your risk of becoming very ill. Individuals over the age of 50 years, and those 12 years and older who are moderately or severely immunocompromised, should ensure they receive not only their first, but also their second COVID-19 vaccine booster dose.”
While there is not a mask mandate in Erie County, people with symptoms, a positive test, or exposure to someone with COVID-19 should wear a mask. Additionally, people who live with or care for older adults or individuals with immunocompromising conditions should strongly consider incorporating the CDC’s recommended individual and household COVID-19 prevention behaviors into their daily routines or business practices.
Recommended COVID-19 prevention behaviors include wearing a well-fitting mask indoors in public, regardless of vaccination status; staying up to date with vaccines; getting tested if you have symptoms; wearing a mask or respirator if you are immunocompromised or high risk for severe disease; avoiding non-essential indoor activities in public where you could be exposed; talking to your health care provider about whether you need to take other precautions; having home tests or access to rapid testing.
Talk to your health care provider about whether you can receive treatments including oral antivirals, PrEP, and monoclonal antibodies. If you or someone else you see regularly is at high risk for severe disease, consider self-testing to detect infection before contact, and consider wearing a mask when indoors with them; stay up to date on COVID-19 vaccines and boosters, keep indoor spaces ventilated, follow CDC recommendations for isolation and quarantine, and get tested if you are exposed to COVID-19 or have symptoms of COVID-19.
Free COVID-19 diagnostic testing is available six days a week. See www.erie.gov/vax for a schedule of COVID-19 vaccine clinics for any Erie County resident ages 5 years and older. For more information visit www.erie.gov/health and www.erie.gov/covid/covid-19testing.
