County Executive Kathy Dahlkemper today announced two new confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 have been reported in Erie County, with 530 total negatives as of early Friday morning, April 3. The total cases of COVID-19 in Erie County to date is 19.
One individual is in their 80s and one is in their 20s. Investigations continue, and overall contact tracing by Erie County Department of Health continues on all open cases.
“What we are actually practicing is physical distancing, not social distancing,” Dahlkemper said. “While we are keeping our physical distance from one another, we still need to find ways to connect with family and friends virtually. Please stay at home unless you absolutely must go out. And if you must go out, take every extra precaution.”
Erie County’s environmental task force team continues to make field inspections. It also offers these suggestions to churches looking for ways to distribute palms this Sunday:
- Do not dispense palms in a manner that will encourage people to gather.
- Set up a drive-thru operation to distribute palms.
- Ensure everyone remains in their vehicle.
- One person should hand the palms to each vehicle.
- Let the vehicles quickly advance, and don’t engage in conversations.
- The person dispensing palms can be wearing gloves and a mask to protect themselves and the visitors.
- The person dispensing palms should be instructed to thoroughly wash their hands before and after putting on gloves.
Next week is Public Health Week. The public is encouraged to show their appreciation for Erie County Department of Health’s practitioners, nurses, call takers, doctors and environmental health service workers by writing an email of thanks to ecdhinfo@eriecountypa.gov, or sending a note in the mail, addressed to 606 W. Second St., Erie, PA 16507.
April is County Government Month. Follow eriecountypa.gov and the social media accounts for Erie County, Pa., and Erie County Department of Health for more information throughout the month.
