BUFFALO, N.Y. — Erie County saw a new record-high number of daily COVID-19 cases on Monday, County Executive Mark Poloncarz has announced.

What You Need To Know

  • Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz said COVID hospitalizations are down but positive cases are up

  • Erie County Health Commissioner Dr. Gale Burstein said people should upgrade to KN95 masks to protect against the omicron variant

  • Schools can offer Test to Stay countywide

  • No more mask breaks for teachers and students

There were 1,368 new COVID cases reported and 17.1% of test reports were positive on Monday, according to the Erie County Department of Health.

There have been 6,051 total confirmed cases the past seven days, and 634 new cases per 100,000 in that same timeframe.

Poloncarz says hospitalization numbers from Dec. 13-26 declined significantly, with total hospital capacity in Erie County now at 79.4%. He attributed that decline to the recent mask mandates.

As doctors learn more about the omicron variant, Erie County Health Commissioner Dr. Gale Burstein encouraged people to ditch their usual masks and upgrade to a KN95, as it fits more tightly around the face. 

With students heading back to school after the holiday break, Dr. Burstein announced a countywide Test to Stay program that will launch in mid-January. The school/district must have a Limited Service License and medical director. Schools have been notified of the program and will coordinate virtually next week.

County leaders also said schools will be required to screen students and enforce universal masking with no opportunities for mask breaks. Anyone with a COVID symptom will be sent home.

The ECDOH also announced it will distribute 400,000 KN95 masks at Erie County COVID test sites, vaccine clinics, Social Services and Senior Services, as well as the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library.

“If you’re not fully vaccinated and it’s been more than six months since your last mRNA vaccine or two months after your Johnson & Johnson vaccine, if you have not been boosted, it is very important to wear a mask because this is a pandemic of the unvaccinated," said Dr. Burstein.

The statewide indoor mask mandate still remains in effect.