By on September 21, 2021   /   All Articles, COVID-19, Featured  
Tags: , , , , , , ,

Update September 21 for Week Ending September 18

For the week ending September 18, 2021, ECDOH received reports for 1,572 new COVID-19 cases among Erie County residents, an 8.5% increase from the previous week. This represents a smaller rate of growth for overall new cases compared to previous weeks.

The COVID-19 case rate of 165 cases per 100,000 residents in the past seven days for the week ending September 18 is an increase from the previous week’s case rate of 152. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) set a case rate threshold of 100 or more cases per 100,000 residents in the past seven days for a community to be considered to have “high transmission.”

29% of new COVID-19 cases last week were among City of Buffalo residents. For reference, City of Buffalo residents makes up 29% of all Erie County residents. This past week 10 ZIP codes (compared to 31 ZIP codes the previous week) had seven-day case rates of more than 200 new cases per 100,000 persons. The 14085 (Lake View) ZIP code had 25 cases, which is a seven-day case rate of 340 cases per 100,000 residents. Many cases in this ZIP code are linked to household clusters.

Total diagnostic COVID-19 test reports last week increased from the previous week, with about 38,000 tests. ECDOH and health care providers within Erie County still have substantial diagnostic testing capacity. People who are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, regardless of vaccination status, should strongly consider a diagnostic COVID-19 test. This includes p-12 students and school staff who need a diagnostic COVID-19 NAAT test to return to school or work. Free COVID-19 NAAT tests are available through ECDOH by calling 716-858-2929 to schedule an appointment. Appointments are required for COVID-19 testing.

The highest positivity rates continue to be in persons under age 19-year-old; the 5-10-year-old, 11-13-year-old, and 14-17-year-old age groups each had positivity rates of more than 6% for the week ending September 18. These data are provided with the note that these younger age groups tend to have lower overall test numbers reported than adult age groups. The total number of COVID-19 cases declined in several age groups from the previous week to last week: 11-13-year-old, 18-22-year-old, 55-59-year-old, 60-69-year-old, and 80 years and older. However, case counts for the 0-4-year-old, 5-10-year-old, and 14-17-year-old age groups increased at least 30% compared to the previous week.

Significantly, the 5-10-year-old age group increased by 76% from the previous week, from 86 COVID-19 cases to 151 cases. Cases under 18 years of age have increased over the past four weeks from 163 COVID-19 cases for the week ending August 28 to 356 cases for last week. This reflects a 42% increase.

With 112 COVID-19 hospitalizations reported in Erie County hospitals on September 19, 2021, the number of patients admitted to Erie County hospitals with COVID-19 has remained relatively stable for the past two weeks.

ECDOH is reporting COVID-19 mortality data. ECDOH received reports of 15 deaths associated with COVID-19 in the past seven days. Of those reported deaths, one person passed away in July, and 14 were reported for September. Total COVID-19-related deaths from March 2020 to September 16, 2021, now stand at 1,998, with 722 reported in 2021. Of the 77 reported COVID-19 associated deaths from July 1 through September 16, 2021, 64% (49) of these deaths were among persons who were not fully vaccinated against COVID-19 prior to infection. These fully vaccinated individuals who passed away had chronic medical conditions or other factors, like age, that made them more susceptible to COVID-19 complications. During this time frame, no deaths were reported among people under age 60 who were fully vaccinated, and the 14 deaths among people under age 60 during this time period were not fully vaccinated.

With data compiled by the ECDOH epidemiology office through September 20 and based on 2020 U.S. Census population estimates, 70.9% of Erie County residents ages 18 years and older have received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose, and 66.8 % of Erie County residents ages 18 years and older have completed a vaccine series. For the 16-17-year-old age group, 58% have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Additional data, including vaccination estimates by ZIP code, are posted to the ECDOH website. NYSDOH also updates vaccination data by demographics, county, and ZIP code.

ECDOH has an active schedule of COVID-19 vaccine clinics, listed at www.erie.gov/vax, and will also vaccinate any eligible Erie County resident at their home. Call (716) 858-2929 for the “Vax Visit” program. ECDOH encourages Erie County residents who are not fully vaccinated to begin their COVID-19 vaccine series. COVID-19 vaccination is especially important for youth and families attending school or child care. Third COVID-19 vaccine doses for people with moderately or severely immunocompromising conditions are available at any Erie County COVID-19 vaccine clinic.

Chart: Erie County Hospitalization Data, last two weeks (September 4-September 19, 2021)
Data Sources: New York State Department of Health and Erie County hospitals. The Erie County Department of Health (ECDOH) updated information.

 

VACCINES https://www.vaccines.gov/search.

NEW UPDATED GUIDELINES FOR FULLY VACCINATED PEOPLE:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/fully-vaccinated-guidance.html

REGULAR COVID TESTING SITES: FIND A SITE NEAR YOU TO GET TESTED! Diagnostic tests are available for free through ECDOH and can be scheduled at (716) 858-2929.

RAPID PCR-TESTS AT DYOUVILLE: D’Youville’s Vital Pharmacy, located in its new Health Professions Hub at 301 Connecticut Street, is offering two types of PCR tests for Americans who plan to travel across the Canadian border when it opens next week. One test offers results in only 30 minutes, while the second will send results within 24 to 48 hours of testing. Americans who are vaccinated against COVID-19 must test negative for COVID within 72 hours of their trip. The cost of the test is $140 and no insurance or prescription is required. A PCR Send-Off Test, with results available within 24 to 48 hours is $125. To make an appointment for the Rapid PCR Test, visit either go.dyc.edu/rapid-test orvitalpharmacyrx.com. For more information, call 716-923-4603.

RAPID COVID TESTS: 6766 Transit Rd., Williamsville 14221 8:30 am to 6:30 pm. www.wnyrapidtesting.com

General Information and Resources

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person. The virus that causes COVID-19 is a novel coronavirus that was first identified during an investigation into an outbreak in Wuhan, China.  For the latest information, go to CDC COVID-19 website.

General Information