© 2024 Western New York Public Broadcasting Association

140 Lower Terrace
Buffalo, NY 14202

Mailing Address:
Horizons Plaza P.O. Box 1263
Buffalo, NY 14240-1263

Buffalo Toronto Public Media | Phone 716-845-7000
WBFO Newsroom | Phone: 716-845-7040
Your NPR Station
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Niagara County among those searching for COVID-19 testing supplies

Niagara County

Niagara County is reporting another death from COVID-19, bringing the total to 17 as of Tuesday. There are also eight more cases, bringing the county total to 287.

The bulk of the cases are from the densest part of the county: North Tonawanda, Wheatfield and Niagara Falls.

During her daily briefing, County Legislature Chair Becky Wydysh said additional changes include the Pistol Permits Office. It has gone virtual to renew licenses.

Wydysh said what should not change are distancing rules. The need continues because totals are still rising.

"Even on a plateau, once we've hit that flat point, there's always the risk that you could trend back upwards again, instead of going downward, which is what we're looking for and hoping for," she said, "and we need to avoid that. So, again, just another reminder that those New York on Pause guidelines are still in effect and we need to keep following them to see the trend continue that we're on."

Wydysh said the county also needs more testing for the virus and there just aren't enough test kits available, anywhere in New York.

"Testing has been a fustrating subject here in Niagara County and, of course, most of Western New York," Wydysh said. "We just haven't been able to get the testing supplies to do the testing that we want and need to be able do here. We know that many of you are as frustrated as we are with that process, but we have been been doing more tests, just recently, which is the good news."

Mike Desmond is one of Western New York’s most experienced reporters, having spent nearly a half-century covering the region for newspapers, television stations and public radio. He has been with WBFO and its predecessor, WNED-AM, since 1988. As a reporter for WBFO, he has covered literally thousands of stories involving education, science, business, the environment and many other issues. Mike has been a long-time theater reviewer for a variety of publications and was formerly a part-time reporter for The New York Times.
Related Content