Erie County is moving to the highest level of the COVID-19 community

Erie, Pennsylvania – According to COVID-19 community levels The Guide to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which is updated weekly, Erie County is now in high risk.

At this level, recommendations to prevent the spread of COVID-19 include the following:

· Be aware of COVID-19 vaccines and regulatory doses 5 years and older, including those who are pregnant and planning to become pregnant. This means getting all the recommended primary and booster doses if needed.

· In public places indoors wear a mask that sits well, regardless of vaccination status.

· If you are (or live, work or interact with someone) at high risk for serious illness or have a weak immune system, consider rapid testing before meetings and avoid insignificant indoor meetings.

· Get ​​tested if you have symptoms or have been exposed to COVID-19.

· Wear a mask if you have symptoms, positive test results or you have been exposed to COVID-19.

· Stay home while waiting for test results. If you have positive test results, even if you have no symptoms, stay home and separate from others in your home and, if possible, use a separate bathroom; tell your close contacts to stay home and get tested.

· If possible, maintain improved ventilation in all rooms.

The community may contact the Erie County Department of Health for instructions. For details on how to be aware of vaccines and boosters, isolation and quarantine, preventing the spread of COVID-19 in business establishments and events, and other information, please contact covidresponse@eriecountypa.gov or 814-451-6700 or fill out online Community form on Eriecountypa.gov/covid-19/.

Cases and data

Last week, May 16 Monday through Sunday 22,

· There were 777 reported cases, on average per day 111 cases.

· Was 1 new deaths were reported, the total death toll being 799.

· The total number of unvaccinated deaths remains at 655, which is 82% of the total number of deaths (799).

As of May 22, among the total number of deaths in Erie County, the breakdown by vaccination status and age range is as follows:

Related link to https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#rates-by-vaccine-status

The number of vaccinated from 16 to 22 May was 237. This increases the total number of vaccinated 182 430 with the following breakdown:

Information on incidents and deaths in Erie County and other data, such as reports on vaccination demographics, can be found on the Erie County Government website https://eriecountypa.gov/covid-19/positive-cases-in-erie-county/. The latest recommendations and related data are also available on the websites

· 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

The benefits of vaccination and revaccination

The advantage in the course of vaccination and revaccination, even for those suffering from COVID-19, is that it helps the body prevent serious diseases and reduces the likelihood of hospitalization. If you have any doubts or questions regarding vaccines, contact your healthcare provider or contact the Erie County Department of Health at 814-451-6700 for facts and answers.

Boosters extend the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines and help protect against its variants. Based on data from Erie County, those promoted:

· 7 times less like to get infected with COVID-19

· 14 times less likely to die from COVID-19

Free vaccines and boosters are available to Erie County residents ages 5 and up. For a list of local vaccination sites visit eriecountypa.gov/covid-19/covid-19-vaccine.

To find vaccines and boosters in other nearby locations, send zip code to 438829, visit vaccines.gov or by phone 1-800-232-0233.

The importance of testing

The Erie County Department of Health recommends that community members, vaccinated or unvaccinated, be screened for COVID-19 if they have been exposed to COVID-19, or if they have symptoms such as sore throat, cough, or stagnation. upper respiratory tract, difficulty breathing, fever or chills, muscle or body pain, vomiting or diarrhea, loss of taste or smell. Test results can help determine appropriate care and treatment if needed.

Community members who use home test kits that have questions or need guidance can call 814-451-6700.

For a list of local sites that offer free testing, visit eriecountypa.gov/covid-19/covid-19-testing-information.