BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — Western New York has taken a step forward on the road to reopening the economy.
Updated numbers from New York state show the five county region of Erie, Niagara, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus and Allegany are now meeting six of seven metrics required for reopening, as of Sunday, May 17. This is an increase from the last update, showing the region meeting five of seven.
Thursday's step-back came in the category of New Hospitalizations. The region fell below the threshold of under two per 100,000 residents, a three-day rolling average. But on Friday, the region regained that lost ground.
Orleans, Genesee and Wyoming counties, which the state has included in the Finger Lakes region as part of its reopening plan, started Phase 1 of reopening on Friday. This allows manufacturing, construction and retail with curbside pickup to resume.
