Second COVID-19 Death of Erie County Resident Reported

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"Last week, we experienced a day that we wished would never have come, and today I am saddened to report that a second Erie County resident has passed away due to COVID-19," Erie County Executive Kathy Dahlkemper said in the opening of her address. 

Passing away yesterday on April 26, 2020, the female patient was in her 70s, hospitalized at Allegheny Health Network's St. Vincent site.

"We extend our deepest sympathy to the family during this extremely difficult time," Dahlkemper consoled.

On Friday, April 24, the first death of an Erie County resident due to COVID-19 was reported, the patient was a male in his 80s.

There were four new positive cases of COVID-19 in Erie County yesterday (with two the day prior), for a total of 82 positives and 1,621 negatives. Out of the four new positives, one is in their 20s, two are in their 30s, and one is in their 40s. There have been 53 recovered cases, for a total of 29 active cases currently.

Statewide, there were 885 additional positive cases reported yesterday (with 1,116 the day prior), for a total of 42,050 total cases. So far, there have been 1,597 confirmed deaths statewide (47 yesterday and 13 the day prior), and 161,372 patients who have tested negative to date.

Crawford County has 19 cases* (no change since Friday), while McKean County remains at five (no change since April 21). Warren County has one case. Chautauqua County has 31 cases (up two) and three deaths. Ashtabula County now has 110 cases (up 12) and 11 deaths (up four since Friday).

"As we look to reopening more businesses in the coming weeks, it is time for us to become even more cautious," Dahlkemper said trepidatiously. After restressing that social distancing practices must become a regular way of life, and that Waterford Heritage days was recently canceled, she told that "we expect that many, many events that we love, like our festivals, concerts, our sports leagues, parades, are all going to face the same fate. The longer it takes for everyone to get on board and practice universal masking, six-foot social distancing, and good hand hygiene, the more changes will have to be made, and the longer it's going to take to get back to a life that we are used to."

While talking about this crisis with children has no doubt proved to be difficult, the county, along with WQLN, has made a special video to help children understand how their families can help to stay healthy and prevent the spread.

Dahlkemper also noted that there would be an online job-fair put on by NWPA Career Link on Monday, May 4 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at nwpacareerlink.easyvirtualfair.com. 

There was no news of possible Yellow phase reopenings from the state.

*Dahlkemper stated that there were nine, though PA Dept. of Health Data confirms there are 19.