Troubling news here In Western New York, where coronavirus-related hospitalizations are up for the third day in a row.

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WIVB-TV reports according to officials on July 7, hospitalizations dropped from 40 to 36. But for the next two days, there were 37 COVID-19 patients in the hospital.

Then, on July 10, the number went up to 40 again. On Saturday, it increased to 43, and then 45 on Sunday. As of Sunday, nine patients are receiving intensive care.

The majority of these hospitalizations have been in Erie County.

“Admissions have exceeded discharges 11 of the last 14 days for Erie County hospitals,” Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz says. “In general, our hospitalizations are still low but the trend line is heading up.”

New Erie County COVID-19 data is showing an increase in cases in younger adults, the Erie County Department of Health had previously reported Monday.

More than half of new cases in last week’s data were in the 20-29 and 30-39 age groups.

County officials find the rising cases among younger people concerning.

“Younger adults may be less likely to have severe symptoms, and more likely to go out to crowded locations and large gatherings where one infected person could unknowingly spread COVID-19 to dozens of others,” Dr. Burstein added. “That’s a dangerous combination.”

Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz adds that if the trend continues, it could impact the region’s ability to stay in Phase 4 of reopening, including opening schools in the fall.

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