Erie County Department of Health provides a public health update on COVID-19 in the county. The community is welcome to contact the Erie County Department of Health for guidance. For details on how to stay up to date on vaccines, isolation and quarantine, preventing spread of COVID-19 in business establishments and events, and other information, contact covidresponse@eriecountypa.gov or 814-451-6700 or fill out the online Community Form at Eriecountypa.gov/covid-19/.
Cases and data
In the past week, March 14 Monday to 20 Sunday,
· There were 81 cases reported, with a daily average of 16 cases.
· There were 4 deaths reported, with dates of death from Feb. 17-March 13, increasing the total deaths to 794.
· Among the 4 reported deaths, 3 were unvaccinated. This increases the total unvaccinated deaths to 653, which is 82% of the total deaths (794).
As of March 20, among the total reported in deaths in Erie County, the breakdown by vaccination status and age range is as follows:
| Reported Deaths | Ages 0-49 | Ages 50-64 | Ages 65 & older | Sub-total | Percentage breakdown |
| Not vaccinated | 31 | 91 | 531 | 653 | 82% |
| Partially vaccinated | 0 | 3 | 29 | 32 | 4% |
| Fully vaccinated | 2 | 18 | 89 | 109 | 14% |
| Additional dose | 0 | 3 | 18 | 21 | 3% |
| Total | 33 | 115 | 646 | 794 | 100% |
Related reference at https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#rates-by-vaccine-status
The number of persons vaccinated in that time period was 234. This increases the total number of persons vaccinated to 180,253 with the following breakdown:
| Number of Persons | % of eligible population | % of total population | |
| Partially vaccinated | 24,589 | 9.7% | 9.1% |
| Fully vaccinated | 155,664 | 61.1% | 57.7% |
| Received additional dose | 77,001 | 30.2% | 28.5% |
Information on cases and deaths in Erie County and other data such as reports on vaccination demographics can be found at the Erie County Government website https://eriecountypa.gov/covid-19/positive-cases-in-erie-county/. Latest recommendations and related data is also available at the websites of
· Pennsylvania Department of Health health.pa.gov/topics/disease/coronavirus/Pages/Cases.aspx
· Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#county-view
Benefit of vaccination
The benefit of vaccination is that it helps the body prevent severe illness and lessens the likelihood of needing hospitalization. If having concerns or questions about vaccines, approach healthcare professionals or contact the Erie County Department of Health at 814-451-6700 for facts and answers.
Free vaccines are available for residents of Erie County ages 5 years and older. For list of local vaccination sites, visit eriecountypa.gov/covid-19/covid-19-vaccine. Call ahead to confirm schedules.
A free mobile vaccination and booster clinic organized by the Erie County Department of Health is available. No insurance is needed. For 5 years and older. Indoors. Pfizer-BioNTech and Modern available. Johnson and Johnson available while supplies last.
· March 25, Friday, 3 to 5 p.m. at County YMCA in Edinboro, 12285 YMCA Dr., Edinboro
Not all locations may offer COVD-19 vaccines to children 5 to 11 years old. Call ahead to check availability. To find vaccines in other nearby locations text ZIP Code to 438829, visit vaccines.gov or call 1-800-232-0233
Importance of testing
Erie County Department of Health recommends community members, vaccinated or unvaccinated, to get tested for COVID-19 if they have been exposed to anyone who has COVID-19 or if they have symptoms such as sore throat, coughing, difficulty breathing, fever or chills, muscle or body aches, vomiting or diarrhea, or loss of taste or smell. Testing results can help determine appropriate care and treatment if needed.
Community members using home test kits who have questions or need guidance can call 814-451-6700.
For list of local sites offering free testing, visit eriecountypa.gov/covid-19/covid-19-testing-information.
Preventing spread
As of March 13, according to the COVID-19 Community Levels guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which is updated weekly, Erie County is currently at low risk.
At this level, recommendations for preventing the spread of COVID-19 include:
· Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines, for 5 years and older, including those who are pregnant and plan on becoming pregnant. This means getting all recommended primary doses and booster doses when eligible.
· Anyone may choose to mask at any time, regardless of vaccination status.
· If you are (or live, work or have contact with someone who is) at high risk for severe illness or have a weak immune system, consult your healthcare provider about masking and other precautions.
· Get tested if you have symptoms or have been exposed to COVID-19.
· Wear a mask if you have symptoms, positive test results, or have been exposed to COVID-19.
· Stay home while waiting for test results. If you have positive test results, even if you don’t have symptoms, stay home and apart from others in your home and, if possible, use a separate bathroom; inform your close contacts to stay home and get tested.
· Maintain improved ventilation throughout indoor spaces when possible.
