Niagara County on Wednesday announced four additional deaths due to the novel coronavirus.
The county, which surpassed 1,000 cases over the Memorial Day weekend, has now lost a total of 63 lives due to COVID-19, the Niagara County Department of Health said Wednesday.
The victims were females, ages 66, 75 and 94, as well as an 89-year-old male, all of whom had underlying health conditions, the health department stated in a release.
The four deaths account for the first increase in the county's death toll since last Thursday. It is the highest daily amount since five deaths announced on May 20.
“Our sympathies and condolences continue to go out to the families and friends of these individuals at this difficult time,” said Niagara County Legislature Chair Becky Wydysh.
An additional 16 cases put the county's total at 1,020.
Altogether there are 301 active cases, with 15 hospitalizations and 286 in home isolation.
The numbers are seeing a downward trend. Wydysh said if the numbers hold region-wide, a move into Phase Two of reopening the economy could come as soon as Tuesday.
“Everything we’re seeing and hearing is we’re doing good, our numbers are doing well and we are on track to move forward to Phase Two,” she said.
Thus far 11,529 people have been tested for COVID-19 in Niagara County.