Erie County Sees Week of 215 New Cases, Two Deaths

On Wednesday, Mar. 24, the office of Erie County Executive Kathy Dahlkemper announced 27 new positive cases of COVID-19, as well as one additional death. 

One year ago today, Dahlkemper instituted a Stay-at-Home order for Erie County. At the time, there were five cases of COVID-19. The entire state of Pennsylvania would be issued the same Stay-at-Home order on April 1, 2020. 

Erie County's cumulative total now stands at 18,401 total cases and 449 total deaths.

In the past week, there have been 215 new cases and two deaths* listed in the National Electronic Disease Surveillance System (NEDSS). On average, there were more than 75 new cases per day. 

The positivity rate was 5.7% from March 12 to 18 according to the PA Department of Health. 

The state also recently moved Erie County from "substantial" to "moderate" in terms of community transmission of the virus.

There have been 64,066 negative tests, with 846 this week and 3,272 last week. 

According to the Erie County Department of Health, there are currently 16 people hospitalized from COVID-19, with one person on a ventilator.

Of the total cases, 52% are female and 47% are male.*

Dr. Howard A. Nadworny, an infectious disease physician and a consultant for the Erie County Department of Health joined Dahlkemper today via Zoom. Dr. Nadworny explained that they have been notified of "several cases" in Erie County caused by the B117 Variant. He expressed concern over this due to the fact that this variant is even more contagious, with greater health risks, causing parts of Europe to shut down again. These variants are also less susceptible to the current vaccines we are using, though the B117 strain specifically is susceptible to the vaccination. He also explained that individuals who have previously had COVID-19 are more susceptible to these mutations than those who have been vaccinated.

**Due to rounding, totals may not equal 100%. 

State, Local, and National Statistics 

Today, Pennsylvania saw 4,667 additional positive cases reported, for a total of 996,617 cumulative cases. 

So far, there have been 24,876 deaths statewide. 

In the past week, Pennsylvania has seen 224 deaths, with 250 reported last week.

In the last week, Pennsylvania saw 25,900 new positive cases (17,991 last week and 17,319 the week prior). 

So far, 4,510,213 doses of vaccine have been administered in PA, with 669,317 occurring this week. 

In the US, 130,473,853 million vaccines have been administered, with more than 17.4 million this week.

According to the CDC, the US has a total of 29,769,325 total cases, with 394,567 new cases in the last seven days. There have been 58,922 new cases in the last 24 hours. 

The total number of deaths in the US is 541,289, with 7,190 reported in the last week and 778 in the last 24 hours. 

As for updates in our nearby counties, Crawford County has 6,552 positive cases (up 72 this week), with 141 deaths (up three).

McKean County has 3,106 positive cases (up 24) and 65 deaths (no change). 

Venango County has 3,496 positive cases (up 22) and 90 deaths (up one). 

Warren County has 2,241 total positive cases (up 14), and 98 deaths (no change).

Day-by-day Breakdown

Thurs 3/11/21 - 52 new cases, one new death

Fri 3/12/21 - 24 new cases

Sat 3/13/21 - 45 new cases

Sun 3/14/21 - 17 new cases

Mon 3/15/21 - 17 new cases

Tues 3/16/21 - 33 new cases

Wed 3/17/21 - 27 new cases, one new death

Dates indicate reporting of statistics, which references the previous day.  

Weekly Breakdown Since December

Dec. 3 - 9: 53 deaths, 1,643 cases reported

Dec. 10 - 16: 35 deaths, 1,585 cases reported

Dec. 17 - 23: 45 deaths, 1,878 cases reported

Dec. 24 - 30: 46 deaths, 991 cases reported

Dec. 31 - Jan. 6: 37 deaths, 931 cases reported 

Jan. 7 - Jan. 13: 21 deaths, 1,178 cases reported

Jan. 14 - Jan. 20: 42 deaths, 816 cases reported

Jan. 21 - Jan. 27: Four deaths, 681 cases reported

Jan. 28 - Feb. 3: 37 deaths, 677 cases reported

Feb. 4 - Feb. 10: 11 deaths, 437 cases reported 

Feb. 11 - Feb. 17: 14 deaths, 492 cases reported

Feb. 18 - Feb. 24: Nine deaths, 362 cases reported

Feb. 25 - Mar. 3: Five deaths, 386 cases reported

Mar. 4 - Mar. 10: Nine deaths, 801 cases reported

Mar. 11 - Mar. 17: Three deaths, 311 cases reported

Mar. 18 - Mar. 24: Two deaths, 215 cases reported