BUFFALO, N.Y. — Check out updates from March 30, 2020
Highlights:
- Gov. Cuomo urges people to stay home as confirmed cases continue to rise in NYS
- NYC reports first COVID-19 related death of a person under 18
- Erie County confirms 499 cases of coronavirus (COVID-19)
- The Town and Village of Orchard park have closed the planning department
- 14 Buffalo Firefighters test positive for COVID-19
- Niagara County confirms 5 more COVID-19, bringing total to 56
- Allegany County confirms 3 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total to 9
Confirmed cases continue to rise in NYS
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo is reinforcing his message to residents to stay home so hospitals are not overwhelmed following another increase of confirmed cases of coronavirus (COVID-19).
Cuomo says the state tested more than 18,000 residents on Monday. Of those, there were 9,298 newcases, bringing the total to 75,795 cases of COVID-19 across the state. The majority of the cases are centered in New York City.
The governor says we've been behind the virus from the beginning, but they're preparing for the battle.
"We don't win playing catch up. We need to get ahead of the virus. I'm tired of being behind the virus," he said. He says the main battle is at the apex of the curve (15-30 days from today) and they're preparing for it now.
There have been 1,550 deaths so far. READ MORE HERE
Erie County confirms 499 cases of coronavirus (COVID-19)
Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz announced Tuesday afternoon that the county now has 499 confirmed cases of coronavirus (COVID-19), up from 463 on Monday.
Poloncarz tweeted the information citing the 14 members of the Buffalo Fire Department who have tested positive for COVID-19, as well as 10 other first responders that have tested positive. READ MORE HERE:
Niagara County confirms 5 more COVID-19 cases
On Tuesday morning, the Niagara County Health Department confirmed five new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total in the county up to 56.
At least two of the positive cases are 1-year-old children. READ MORE HERE
Allegany County confirms 3 new cases of COVID-19
The County Health Department confirmed three new cases of COVID-19. The total number of cases in the county has been brought to nine. There's currently 46 people in isolation. One person died from COVID-19 in the count.
Cattaraugus County has 1 new case of COVID-19
On Tuesday, Cattaraugus County announced one more confirmed case of COVID-19, bringing the total for the county up to 6.
According to the county's COVID-19 case tracking map, four of the cases exist in the northwest quarter of the county, one exists in the southwest, and one exists in the southeast. All six cases are still active. READ MORE:
14 Buffalo Firefighters test positive for COVID-19
14 members of the Buffalo Fire Department have tested positive for COVID-19, according to the Fire Union.
The union released a statement saying that in addition to the 14 that have tested positive, 50 members are showing symptoms and have been placed on administrative leave and been told to self-quarantine.
NYC reports 1st coronavirus death of a person under 18
New York City has recorded its first coronavirus death of a person under 18.
Health officials report that the city's 914 deaths from the pandemic include one person in the 0-17 age group. Details including the person's exact age have not been disclosed. More than 1,200 have died of COVID-19 across New York state, and 9,500 people are hospitalized with the disease statewide.
More than 66,000 New Yorkers have tested positive for the virus.
Orchard Park closes Planning Department
The town and the Village of Orchard Park have closed their planning department until the State of Emergency is lifted by Town Supervisor Patrick Keem.
The office will not be accepting any new projects or plans and the Municipal Center is closed to the public.
Dance parties day and night spread joy throughout WNY
One way to spread joy to people who need it is by throwing a dance party, no matter the time of day. There are quite a few of them happening throughout the city of Buffalo each day day we're in quarantine.
Steve Procknal, also known as "Yoga Steve," goes live on Instagram every single morning at 7:15 am to lead a dance and workout to the Buffalo Bills anthem, the Shout Song. He started this the first week of social distancing and hasn't missed a morning yet. Procknal is usually on top of a rooftop in downtown Buffalo so you can see the city skyline behind him. He says he does it to inspire kids to start their mornings with a little exercise. READ MORE HERE: