Erie County provides public health updates on COVID-19
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct. 27, 2021
MEDIA CONTACT:
Walter Ang
Communications Specialist, Erie County Department of Health
wang@eriecountypa.gov
Erie County provides public health updates on COVID-19
Erie, PA — County Executive Kathy Dahlkemper and the Erie County Department of Health held a press briefing to provide public health updates on COVID-19 in Erie County. Watch the press briefing here.
Guests included Borys Loza, MD, Chief of Staff at Erie VA Medical Center; Daniel Muccio, MD, Chief Medical Officer at Allegheny Health Network-Saint Vincent Hospital; Kevin Kraeling, DO, Chief Medical Officer of Meadville Medical Center; Jason Chenault, Senior Director of Emergency, Hospitalist and Critical Care Services at UPMC Hamot; and Melissa Lyon, Director of the Erie County Department of Health.
There were 126 new positive cases of COVID-19 and five deaths in Erie County as of 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 26, which brings the cumulative case count to 29,166. The total deaths due to COVID-19 since March 2020 is 538.
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 PA DOH website health.pa.gov/topics/disease/coronavirus/Pages/Cases.aspx. Data on transmission rates can be found at the CDC website covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#county-view.
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 12 years and older. Finding vaccines in nearby locations can be done by:
- texting your ZIP Code to 438829
- visiting vaccines.gov
- calling 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. For schedule of upcoming mobile clinics and other vaccination sites, visit eriecountypa.gov/covid-19/covid-19-vaccine. To request a mobile vaccination clinic for your event or location, please email covidresponse@eriecountypa.gov.
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, Oct. 28, 5 to 8 p.m. Presque Isle Downs and Casino, 8199 Perry Highway, Erie
For schedule of upcoming mobile testing clinics and other testing sites, visit eriecountypa.gov/covid-19/covid-19-testing-information.
Masking order
Erie County currently has a high rate of transmission according to the CDC. The public is reminded that the CDC guidelines state all people, including those who are fully vaccinated, should wear masks indoors in areas with substantial to high transmission rates of COVID-19.
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.
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.
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.
###