Erie County acknowledging families impacted by COVID-19

Candle-lighting ceremony, bell ringing scheduled for 7 p.m.

Old Erie County Hall will be lit in amber from March 14-20 in honor and remembrance

Old Erie County Hall in downtown Buffalo will be illuminated in amber during the week of March 14 to acknowledge the one-year anniversary of the first identified COVID-19 cases in Erie County.

Executive Mark Poloncarz, Commissioner of Health Dr. Gale Burstein, members of the Erie County Legislature and other invited guests will mark this occasion with a candle-lighting ceremony at 7 p.m. Monday, March 15, in front of Old Erie County Hall, 92 Franklin St., Buffalo

Households across Erie County are encouraged to turn on a light in their homes as a symbol of remembrance. The tower bells at Old County Hall will ring 17 times, once for each 100 Erie County residents who have passed away from COVID-19.

“The uncertainty and unease that we all felt last March has been replaced with knowledge about COVID-19 and hope that soon this pandemic will be behind us,” Poloncarz said. “This week, and every week, we move forward while acknowledging the more than 67,000 county residents who survived COVID-19, and remembering the nearly 1,700 county residents who passed away because of this disease, and their families.”

Burstein added, “This display also recognizes the critical work done by our incredible local health care community and public health professionals during these past 12 months. Our joint efforts have shown the resilience and strength of Erie County and the people who live and work here.”