New COVID-19 infections in Bucks County are currently at their lowest level since last summer.
The month of May ended with a seven-day average of 23 new cases being reported per day in Bucks County – the lowest level in the county since Aug. 28, and representing an 87 percent decrease over the past month. This comes as Gov. Tom Wolf lifted most COVID mitigation restrictions across Pennsylvania.
The number of COVID-positive patients in Bucks hospitals also continues to plummet, with 20 currently hospitalized. This is 75 less patients than a month ago. Two are on ventilators.
“Over the last three days, we saw the fewest cases we’ve seen since the month the pandemic started,” said Bucks County Health Department Director Dr. David Damsker. “It’s been a long 16 months and we’re ready to enjoy the summer without any restrictions. Let’s finish off COVID as much as we can. Please get vaccinated if you haven’t.”
A total of 34 COVID deaths were reported in Bucks County last month, the lowest one-month total since October. The pandemic death toll in the county now stands at 1,301.
All businesses, events and other venues were able to return to 100 percent capacity on Memorial Day.
Partially vaccinated or unvaccinated persons are still ordered to wear masks until June 28, or when 70 percent of adult Pennsylvanians have been fully vaccinated, whichever comes first. Masks are still required on public transportation, in airports and other transportation hubs, and businesses, workplaces, healthcare facilities and prisons may still impose their own masking requirements.
“We have made great strides throughout the commonwealth to stop the spread of COVID-19,” said Wolf. “As we lift mitigation orders, it is important for eligible Pennsylvanians to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Getting vaccinated is our best defense against this virus and ensuring individuals and their loved ones remain safe as we reopen Pennsylvania.”
Almost 10.6 million doses of vaccine have been administered in Pennsylvania, with more than 54 percent of the adult population now fully vaccinated.
In Bucks County, more than 553,000 total doses have been administered, enough to fully vaccinate 244,654 people and partially vaccinate 86,230 more. The county’s test positivity rate dropped recently to 2.5 percent, about half the rate considered to be concerning by the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
Bucks County recently closed its mass vaccination site at the Bristol campus of Bucks County Community College. Sites at the Newtown and Perkasie campuses, at Neshaminy Mall in Bensalem and at the Warwick Square shopping center in Jamison remain open, operating Tuesday through Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
All of the sites are available without appointments required, and are offering both the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine and the two-dose Pfizer vaccine.
