Erie County provides COVID-19 updates
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Nov. 15, 2021
MEDIA CONTACT:
Walter Ang
Communications Specialist, Erie County Department of Health
wang@eriecountypa.gov
Erie County provides COVID-19 updates
Erie, PA — County Executive Kathy Dahlkemper and Erie County Department of Health provide the following updates on COVID-19 in Erie County.
The reported new cases of COVID-19 in Erie County are as follows:
| Day | Positive cases reported |
| Nov. 14 | 164 |
| Nov. 13 | 224 |
| Nov. 12 | 521 |
The cumulative case count is now 32,645. Reporting of positive case counts now includes reinfections, which means a person was infected once, recovered, and then later became infected again. Since March 2020, Erie County has had 271 reinfections. The total deaths due to COVID-19 since March 2020 is 556.
Information on cases in Erie County and other data such as reports on vaccination demographics can be found at eriecountypa.gov/covid-19. Related data is also available at the Pennsylvania Department of Health website health.pa.gov/topics/disease/coronavirus/Pages/Cases.aspx.
Health of students
“Schools are an important part of the community, providing supportive learning environments for students, employment for people, and enabling parents, guardians and caregivers to work. Students benefit from in person learning,” said Melissa Lyon, director of the Erie County Department of Health. “The Erie County Department of Health’s aim is to prevent injury, illness and premature death in the community. While it does not mandate school closures, it works closely with school leaders and administrators to decide when it is appropriate to suspend in person learning.”
To protect the health of the students and staff, a set of guidelines from the Pennsylvania Department of Health is used. A maximum 14-day suspension of in person learning may be recommended, including the suspension of sports and extracurricular activities, if there is 5% confirmed cases among the students and staff in 14-day window.
Masking order
A universal indoor masking order for all public and private pre-schools, primary and secondary schools in Erie County is in effect until further notice. A copy of the order can be found at eriecountypa.gov/covid-19.
Erie County currently has a high rate of transmission according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). CDC guidelines recommend all people, including those who are fully vaccinated, should wear masks indoors in areas with substantial to high transmission rates of COVID-19. Data on transmission rates can be found at the CDC website covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#county-view.
Wearing a mask that covers the mouth and nose has been proven to reduce the spread of infectious respiratory illnesses such as COVID-19. Studies on the effects of wearing masks have proved that there is no change in oxygen or carbon dioxide levels when people wear cloth and surgical masks while resting and exercising.
Benefit of vaccination
The benefit of vaccination is that it helps the body prevent severe illness and lessens the likelihood of needing hospitalization. Free vaccines are available for residents of Erie County ages 5 years and older. To find vaccines in nearby locations:
- text ZIP Code to 438829
- visit gov
- call 1-800-232-0233
A free mobile vaccination clinic organized by the Erie County Department of Health is available to the residents of Erie County. No insurance is needed and walk-ups are welcome.
- Tuesday, Nov. 16, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at John F. Kennedy Center, 2021 E 20th St, Erie
For schedule of upcoming mobile clinics and other vaccination sites, visit eriecountypa.gov/covid-19/covid-19-vaccine. Not all locations can offer COVD-19 vaccines to children 5 to 11 years old. Please call ahead to check availability.
Importance of getting tested
Community members are reminded to get tested for COVID-19 if exposed to anyone who is positive for COVID-19 or if exhibiting its symptoms such as 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. Rapid testing results are available in 15 minutes at free mobile testing clinics organized by the Erie County Department of Health. No insurance is needed and walk-ups are welcome.
- Thursday, Nov. 18, 5 to 8 p.m. at General McLane High School, 11761 Edinboro Rd., Edinboro
For schedule of upcoming mobile testing clinics and other testing sites, visit eriecountypa.gov/covid-19/covid-19-testing-information. For guidance on preventing the spread of COVID-19 at events and business establishments, contact Erie County Department of Health at covidresponse@eriecountypa.gov. All other questions about COVID-19 can be directed to 814-451-6700 or ecdhinfo@eriecountypa.gov.
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