BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz held a COVID-19 update Thursday afternoon and said a decision on a Red Zone could be made by the state next Wednesday, November 25.
Poloncarz said the county recorded a new high for new COVID cases Wednesday with 651 and the positivity rate was 7.8%. The county executive also said there has been an increase in hospitalizations over the last week with 84 patients in Erie County Hospitals on November 10 compared to 179 patients in Erie County hospitals on November 17.
He continued on to say he was fearful for what the next few weeks could bring.
Erie County Executive @markpoloncarz says “The second wave is here with a vengeance. I am very fearful of what the next few weeks will bring. Could be a dark time for our community” @WKBW
— Jeff Russo (@JeffRussoWKBW) November 19, 2020
In response to a question on when a decision could be made on a Red Zone Poloncarz said:
"The state will be analyzing the data starting Monday evening and Tuesday and they will be making an announcement one way or another on Wednesday, just like we saw this last week."
The county executive said he would not anticipate a decision before Wednesday because officials want to make sure they have enough data to analyze.
The restrictions for a Red Zone according to the governor's office are:
- Houses of worship operate at 25% capacity or 10 people maximum.
- Mass gatherings are prohibited.
- Only essential business can be open.
- Restaurants can only offer takeout.
- Schools are closed and shift to remote learning.
You can view the full press conference below.
