***LIVE TWEETING*** Erie County Executive @markpoloncarz daily briefing for Wednesday: 1,335 positive cases all labs, 45 deaths (demos: 30 white, 15 african-american) 333 recovered, 957 in isolation, 221 hospital, 119 ICU, 113 airway assist. @WGRZ

@markpoloncarz says Hospitalizations continue to grow her-- today is the highest number so far. The rate has slowed however. More woman under age 50 than men are being diagnosed. Over 50 there are more men. He emphasized the virus does not discriminate. @WGRZ

. @markpoloncarz explained "flattening the curve"... says it's to reduce the number who get it at the same time, causing the healthcare system to be overwhelmed. Erie County has NOT reached peak yet. We are weeks away. @WGRZ

http://www.erie.gov  has case mapping according to zip code. Warns people not to draw conclusions from this. It does not show contraction rate. Does not tell the full story. @WGRZ

. @markpoloncarz thanked many for donations of goods, equipment and services to the county. Announced Erie Co. Business Task Force to help local businesses recover from this pandemic. Members represent wide variety of business sector. @WGRZ

. @markpoloncarz ECIDA created a Disaster Relief Loan Program fund for local businesses, of between $10-15-thousand dollars, to help with their recovery. Consult ECIDA website for details. @WGRZ

Starting next Tuesday, an impact survey will go out to local businesses asking for feedback and input on what steps are needed to help them move forward. More on this next week. @dottieg71 is helping the county with this. @WGRZ

Erie Co. COVID-19 hotline 858-2929 available for health related questions. Call 211 for all others. @WGRZ

MEDIA QUESTIONS:
Q. What are unmet needs still in our community.
A. Health inequities have always existed on East Side of Buffalo & parts of Cheektowaga. Trying to increase testing for ALL. "Live Well Erie" plan's focus is decreasing health inequities. @WGRZ

. @markpoloncarz says the county has not yet received federal monies to help them address problems associated with this pandemic. @WGRZ

Q. Are you considering closing any parks to discourage those not social distancing?
A. No. Many parks are not busy. Only Chestnut Ridge is a problem with people gathering. Trying to mitigate that. Asks people to choose other parks & continue social distancing. @WGRZ

Q. When will you add essential workers like grocery workers to the group getting tested.
A. That's the health dept call. We are increasing testing however... still not enough kits though. @WGRZ

Q. Have you received complaints from other businesses violating PAUSE order.
A. Yes and we forwarded those complaints to the proper local or state authority. @WGRZ

Q. Is the plastic bag ban on hold?
A. It is still in effect but I do not think the state is enforcing. @WGRZ

Q. Hearing that people are riding Metro Bus unnecessarily. Any effort to stop it?
A. 98% of riders are legit. NFTA said problem is minimal, not a concern as of last week. @WGRZ

Q. Demographic data has been hard to come by... but is there any way to streamline work by epidemiologists here?
A. We have limitations... county does not automatically get race information on those who died. We will continue to try to get more demo information out. @WGRZ

Q. When will business task force meet?
A. Tomorrow is first virtual meeting. Planning to work quickly over next several months to gather info from business community. Want to help them with resources they need so they can succeed. @WGRZ

IN CONCLUSION... @markpoloncarz said we are still in the storm, peak is 2-3 weeks away. Hospitalization rate is declining statewide BUT NOT HERE. Our rate is increasing. Please stay vigilant! Be safe. Happy Passover, Happy Easter. @WGRZ