to contact the Erie County Department of Health for guidance. For details on how to stay up to date on vaccines and boosters, 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, April 25 Monday to May 1 Sunday,
· There were 244 cases reported, with a daily average of 35 cases.
· There was 1 new death reported, increasing the total death count to 798.
· The total unvaccinated death count remains at 655, which is 82% of the total deaths (798).
As of May 1, 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 | 533 | 655 | 82% |
| Partially vaccinated | 0 | 3 | 29 | 32 | 4% |
| Fully vaccinated without a booster | 2 | 15 | 72 | 89 | 11% |
| Additional dose/booster | 0 | 3 | 19 | 22 | 3% |
| Total | 33 | 121 | 653 | 798 | 100% |
The number of persons vaccinated from April 25 to May 1 was 226. This increases the total number of persons vaccinated to 181,809 with the following breakdown:
| Number of persons | % of eligible population | % of total population | |
| Partially vaccinated | 23,824 | 9.4% | 8.8% |
| Fully vaccinated | 157,985 | 62.0% | 58.6% |
| Received first booster | 79,221 | 31.1% | 29.4% |
| Received second booster | 7,954 | 3.1% | 2.9% |
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 and boosters
The benefit of staying up to date on vaccination and boosters, even for those who have had COVID-19, 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.
Boosters extend the effectiveness of vaccines against COVID-19 and help protect against variants. Based on data from Erie County, those who are boosted are:
· 7 times less like to be infected with COVID-19
· 14 times less likely to die from COVID-19
Free vaccines and boosters 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.
Not all locations may offer COVD-19 vaccines and boosters to children 5 to 11 years old. Call ahead to check availability. To find vaccines and boosters 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
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.
