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Poloncarz: Number of COVID-19 cases among college students is 'concerning'

The Erie County Executive urges anyone who attended a college house party in the past couple weeks to get tested.

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz says the number of positive COVID-19 cases among college students is "concerning."

Poloncarz made the comments Wednesday during his weekly news briefing.

He says of the 496 positive cases last week (the week ending September 5), 323 were people under the age of 30. The largest group of cases, 207, were among the 18 to 22-year-olds, or 42 percent.

He says the majority of the cases are college students who live off campus and attended house parties. The areas with the majority of the cases is in the 14214 zip code, including the University Heights area near the University at Buffalo South Campus, the Parkside area and Canisius College area, also have seen higher numbers.

Poloncarz also indicated that of those tested in the 18 to 22 year age group, the positive rate was an alarming 6.9 percent which is far above traditional current levels of one to two percent in the overall population.

Poloncarz urges anyone who attended a college house party in the past couple weeks to get tested. He also said students could be suspended or even expelled if they do not follow their college's COVID 19 guidelines. Poloncarz noted that some students contacted by contact tracers did not return their calls or cooperate. The county then had to reach out to the colleges to pressure the students to respond.  

The Erie County Department of Health is working with area colleges regarding positive tests of students.  

Gov. Andrew Cuomo said that while the numbers across the Western New York region are not increasing, the region still has a caution flag.

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