Mark Poloncarz

As Erie County struggles with the fiscal fallout from the coronavirus crisis, a major change in the way the county operates is high on the list of proposals to balance the budget.

He wouldn't say whether it will include layoffs or furloughs, but Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz's plan to address a budget deficit is expected to include some cuts and use of fund balance dollars when it's delivered Thursday morning to the Legislature.

Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown has issued a citywide curfew from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. from Tuesday through Sunday to help curb the possibility of violent incidents stemming from civil unrest following the killing of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer. 

The death rate among Erie County’s African American population due to COVID-19 is going down, according to County Executive Mark Poloncarz. 

Erie County remains on the pathway to moving into the next phase of re-opening New York, even with problems involving hospitalizations. That is the word from Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz, even after the Memorial Day holiday.

The unofficial start of summer kicks off this year under pandemic rules applying to the streets, parks and beaches.

Erie County's troubled finances go in front of the legislature again Thursday, with little resolution in sight other than massive cuts in spending and staff. That may happen, unless there is some agreement in Washington on a state and local government bailout along the lines of what has been given to American business.

Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz, during his Friday afternoon COVID-19 briefing, admitted a feeling of disappointment that the Western New York economic region remains short of the necessary goals needed to get New York State's approval to begin reopening the economy. He's also unhappy that a neighboring region is entering phase one, stating their numbers are going in the wrong direction.

Erie County's COVID-19 hospitalization rate is trending downward, raising hope that the county may not be too far away from phase one of reopening the economy. But during his Wednesday afternoon COVID-19 briefing, County Executive Mark Poloncarz said one benchmark that is not being met is a level of testing required by the state. The problem? Not enough people are coming forward to be tested.

Erie County's fiscal picture continues to darken, with Washington seemingly unwilling to provide a stimulus package for state and local governments.

While data released by New York state Monday indicated nearly half of Erie County’s COVID-19 deaths were nursing home residents, County Executive Mark Poloncarz says nursing homes residents likely account for closer to one third of the county’s total deaths.

Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz and Health Commissioner Dr. Gale Burstein provided their latest update on COVID-19 cases in the county Monday afternoon. While the trends hinted that Erie County might be nearing the flattening of its case curve, officials are renewing their calls for honoring social distancing.

During Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz's daily COVID-19 briefing, he noted that county parks were experiencing issues with too many people congregating in just a limited number of the 10,000 acres available throughout the system. His latest warning came hours before having to confirm two more coronavirus-related deaths in Erie County.

Hospitals across Erie County on Monday received new shipments of the safety masks that are essential to keeping doctors, nurses and other health care personnel safe.

A member of Erie County government, identified only as anindividual who has worked in the county's coronavirus first response efforts, has tested positive for COVID-19. County Executive Mark Poloncarz confirmed the case, as part of his daily briefing on the pandemic and its local numbers. 

The worldwide supply chain behind health care is starting to ramp up and produce more of the panoply of chemicals and supplies needed for the war against COVID-19. This comes as the number of coronavirus cases hits 96 in Erie County.