Erie County, NY Department of Health » ERIE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH PROVIDES COVID-19 DATA UPDATE FOR WEEK ENDING AUGUST 14, 2021

ERIE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH PROVIDES COVID-19 DATA UPDATE FOR WEEK ENDING AUGUST 14, 2021

Modified: August 17, 2021 3:46pm

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08/17/2021

ERIE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH PROVIDES COVID-19 DATA UPDATE FOR WEEK ENDING AUGUST 14, 2021

ERIE COUNTY, NY – The Erie County Department of Health (ECDOH) is providing an update on COVID-19 data. For the week ending August 14, 2021, ECDOH received reports for 817 new COVID-19 cases among Erie County residents; this is a 26% increase from the previous week’s total of 650 cases. The COVID-19 case rate of 89 cases per 100,000 residents in the past seven days for the week ending August 14 is an increase from the previous week’s case rate of 70.7. [Note: this rate was calculated using 2010 U.S. Census population data, as detailed data are not yet available for 2020.] The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) set a case rate threshold of 50-99 for a community to be considered to have “substantial transmission.”

36% of new COVID-19 cases last week were in city of Buffalo residents, which is similar to recent weeks. 41 ZIP codes had 5 or more new COVID-19 cases last week, which indicates a community-wide increase in COVID-19 transmission. Eight ZIP codes had 7-day case rates of 100 or more, indicating “high” transmission according to CDC indicators. The 14215 and 14206 had the highest 7-day case rates per 100,000 people, with 145 and 125, respectively.

Total diagnostic COVID-19 test reports increased again to more than 26,000 tests last week, compared to the previous week’s total of about 21,000. ECDOH and health care providers within Erie County still have substantial diagnostic testing capacity. People who are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, regardless of vaccination status, should strongly consider a diagnostic COVID-19 test. Free tests are available through ECDOH by calling 716-858-2929 to schedule an appointment. Based on increased demand for diagnostic testing, ECDOH has expanded testing dates and times for Erie County residents to Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. Appointments are required.       

Case counts continue to be highest in the 20-29 and 30-39 age group. Combined, these age groups also account for 40% of new cases last week, which is a continuing trend. The 20-29-year-old age group had a seven-day case rate per 100,000 people of 144, and 30-39-year-old age group seven-day case rate per 100,000 people was 140; both case rates are higher than last week and significantly higher than the overall rate for Erie County.

With 87 COVID-19 hospitalizations reported in Erie County hospitals for August 15, 2021, hospitalized COVID-19 patients in Erie County have continued to increase, as have ICU patients.  [See chart at end of release].

ECDOH is reporting COVID-19 mortality data. ECDOH received reports of seven deaths associated with COVID-19 in the past seven days. Total COVID-19-related deaths from March 2020 to August 12, 2021 now stand at 1,940, with 664 reported in 2021. Of the 202 reported COVID-19 associated deaths in April, May, June, July and August 2021 through August 12, 93% (188) of these deaths were in persons who were not fully vaccinated against COVID-19 prior to infection. And, based on reports to ECDOH, of the eight reported COVID-19-related deaths among Erie County residents in August, four were fully vaccinated with significant underlying medical conditions.

Additional data, including vaccination estimates by ZIP code, are posted to the ECDOH web site. NYSDOH also updates vaccination data by demographics, by county and by ZIP code. From NYSDOH data, as of August 17, 2021, 73.1% of adults ages 18 and older have at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine. 48.3% of 12-15-year-olds and 53.6% of 16-17-year-olds in Erie County have at least one vaccine dose. 

Erie County residents, % population vaccinated by age group as of August 17, 2021 (at least one dose)

ECDOH has an active schedule of COVID-19 vaccine clinics, listed at www.erie.gov/vax, and will also vaccinate any eligible Erie County resident at their home. Call (716) 858-2929 for the “Vax Visit” program. ECDOH will offer Pfizer and Moderna vaccine for the duration of the Erie County Fair outside the Expo Building, August 11-22. ECDOH encourages Erie County residents who are not fully vaccinated to begin their COVID-19 vaccine series. COVID-19 vaccination is especially important for youth and families attending school or child care.

 

Chart: Erie County Hospitalization Data, last two weeks (August 1-15, 2021)

Data Sources: New York State Department of Health and Erie County hospitals

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