UPDATE (3/19 1:10 p.m.) Erie County's Director of Health Melissa Lyon admitted the county's first case of COVID-19 was not handled properly during a news conference Thursday afternoon.

Lyon said proper precautions were not taken when the sample was taken, increasing the possibility of exposure to medical professionals. This includes not using the proper technique, not maintaining the proper distance from the patient, and not using the proper personal protection equipment.

The person who was tested at their primary physician's office was not informed to self-quarantine until the test results come back positive. Lyon said the person is believed to have stayed home while symptomatic and did not return to the community after feeling better.

The Health Department was not initially notified the person was tested for the coronavirus. They are still trying to determine how many people may have been potentially exposed and follow up with them.

The first positive COVID-19 case has been reported in Erie County, officials announced Wednesday afternoon.

County Executive Kathy Dahlkemper, flanked by officials from the Erie County Health Department announced that the person who tested positive is a 35 year old who recently traveled domestically.

Melissa Lyon, Public Health Director said the person traveled out of state to an area where coronavirus is present. She declined to specify the exact location.

The illness is not believed to have come from local community spread, according to health officials, but is the result of that travel.

The person is not ill enough to require hospitalization and is self-quarantined at home.

Health Department officials said the person had limited contact with others, and they are following up with those contacts.

The Health Department said all proper protocols were followed.

County Executive Kathy Dahlkemper and health officials also commented on the case of a Mercyhurst University student who tested positive after being quarantined at home in eastern New York state.  

That student returned to campus for a couple of days after personal travel abroad over spring break.

Erie County health officials called it a complex situation, and said it is New York state's responsibility to followup on that case.

They did say that students who came in contact with the affected student are being required to quarantine on the campus of Mercyhurst University while any testing and investigations are completed.  Erie County Health Department declined to say how many students may be involved.