Putting cows on the front page since 1885.
Putting cows on the front page since 1885.
Officials are warning the public not to become complacent
This chart from the Pa. Dept. of Health on Monday, Aug. 2, shows the slight increase in statistics related to the COVID-19 virus activity in the state. The chart in red at the upper right of the graphic shows a small but concerning increase in new cases of COVID-19 per day in the state. The chart at right middle shows that the number of deaths related to COVID-19 has not yet started to increase. Health officials said that the number of deaths follows an increase in cases, so the number of deaths is likely to begin increasing soon. Statewide, new cases per day dipped to a low of 76 on July 5, 2021, but is now on the rise again with 801 cases reported on Aug. 1, 2021. This rate of cases per day is far lower than the height of 12,786 cases per day on Dec. 10, 2020, but the trend is now up instead of down. Cases per day started falling in April 2021 but in late July started rising again. Blair County is seeing the same trend as the state, with a peak in late 2020, a dip in March/April, a bottoming out in July but now on the rise. On Nov. 19, 2020, Blair County saw a peak of 237 cases reported in one day. There were zero cases reported in the last week of June 2021, then one case on July 1, but there is now an upward trend with nine cases reported on July 26. The situation is the same for Bedford County. On Dec. 7, 2020, a peak of 128 cases was reported for that day. In late June 2021, there were zero cases reported for a few days, then in July, case reports began to edge back up with nine cases reported on July 30. Hospitalizations for COVID-19 cases also showing an upward trend, according to state statistics.
This map shows the number of new COVID-19 cases in Pennsylvania counties over a week, with the color of the county indicating the level of new cases. This map from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows the level of new cases through Sunday, Aug. 1. The number of cases is based on the number of positive COVID-19 tests in the county.
Conemaugh Nason's infection control director said that the public should be concerned about rising numbers of COVID-19 cases across the nation and in Pennsylvania.
Julie Russell, director of quality and infection control at Conemaugh Nason, said to the Herald that while the hospital is seeing a "low level" of COVID-19 positive tests and patient admissions, it is important for people to be proactive in taking measures against the virus.
"This can pop up anywhere," she said. "There's no way to tell where this virus is going to go and who it will affect. The best way to be proactive is to be vaccinated," Russell said.
She said that vaccinations are now widely available. She recommended those who want to get a vaccine should contact a local pharmacy. Some pharmacies are offering same-day appointments and even accepting walk-in vaccination requests.
"Some places, you can walk in and get vaccinated and be back in your car in half an hour," she said.
She said that most local pharmacies are offering vaccinations and those interested should call or check websites for instructions.
The main concern now is a new version of the virus called the "Delta" variant. According to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Delta variant of the COVID-19 virus was first detected in the United States in March 2021. It was initially identified in India in December 2020.
There have been four variants of the COVID-19 virus detected, with the Delta being the most recent. According to the CDC, the Delta variant seems to spread more easily and quickly than other variants, which may lead to more cases of COVID-19. An increase in the number of cases will put more strain on healthcare resources, lead to more hospitalizations, and potentially more deaths.
So far, studies suggest that the current authorized vaccines work on the circulating variants. Scientists will continue to study these and other variants.
Russell said that the concern currently is that someone from the Cove could travel outside the area, contract the Delta variant, and then bring it back to the Cove.
"Truck drivers, people taking weekend trips, are a concern," she said. "You would not necessarily know that you've been exposed and then you could [bring the virus back here]."
Once it is present in the Cove, the Delta variant could spread rapidly, Russell said. As noted, the Delta variant seems to spread more quickly than the original COVID-19 virus.
Maggi Barton, deputy press secretary of the Pa. Department of Health, Office of Communications, said, "We – along with the CDC – are watching the Delta variant very closely. Fortunately, we know how to deal with this. We have safe and effective vaccines that work against this variant. Pennsylvania has made tremendous strides in vaccinating individuals aged 12 years and older. The potential threat of Delta and all other variants underlines the importance for all eligible people to get fully vaccinated. The administration continues to encourage all eligible individuals to get fully vaccinated to protect themselves and their loved ones."
Russell said that Conemaugh Nason has not changed its policies for hospital visitors but could do so, depending upon the level of new cases in the region.
Currently, Conemaugh Nason allows all visitors but requires everyone, including visitors, to wear masks. She said that any changes to the policy, including restrictions on visitation, will be announced.
Russell said that the current concern among health care professionals is the start of school, which is scheduled for the last week of August.
She said that local schools appear to have good safety plans for dealing with the virus.
"They appear to be considerate and appropriate," she said.
But the virus can spread quickly once it gets a foothold in a community, she said. Russell said that the best defense against the virus and the related unknown factors has not changed.
"We can't wave a magic wand and make this go away, and no one wants another lockdown," she said. "We should keep being diligent. Let's be careful. It would be wise to be vaccinated. We should all just keep praying."
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