The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Niagara County continues to rise, reaching 130 as of Monday. That is up 27 from Sunday, leaving 103 individuals in isolation and 27 people judged recovered.
County officials say there are many more ill people but there aren't enough test kits to be sure how many. In his daily update, Public Health Director Daniel Stapleton said the county just can't get enough kits, a common complaint across New York.
"We ordered 1,500. We received 100. So, we're continuing to focus on the people who need it the most, the first responders, the health care workers, the inpatients. Pregnant women were just recently added. So, we look at those populations who are most at risk and we're focusing on that, right now," Stapleton said.
Stapleton said county hospitals and health care facilities are short of everything needed but no ventilators have been sent out of the county.
"We've been consistent with our message that there's not enough ventilators. There's not enough PPE. I've been talking with the leaders of the hospitals. We support them 100% in their decision that they don't have enough to spare," he said.
Most cases are concentrated in the county's most populated areas in Niagara Falls and its adjacent suburbs. Stapleton urged residents to continue isolation and social distancing to keep the toll from rising.
