Credit: PA Internet News Service
Bucks County saw a spike in COVID-19 cases last week, but it was caused by a backlog in test data from urgent care centers.
According to Pennsylvania Department of Health data, there were 2,168 new COVID-19 cases reported last week in Bucks County. The number was an increase of 25 percent over the previously week.
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In a statement, Bucks County Department of Health Director Dr. David Damsker said the positive test backlog was responsible for the jump in cases, which have been decreasing in recent week.
Damsker said some of the cases that were reported last week date back to late 2020.
Last week, 27 Bucks Countians died from COVID-19.
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In January, there were a total of 105 COVID-19 deaths reported.
Hospitalizations fell last week and reached numbers last seen in mid-December.
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As of Sunday night, there were 111 Bucks Countians in hospitals with COVID-19. A total of 20 were in intensive care and 14 of them were on ventilators.
After weeks of decline, the COVID-19 average test positivity rate in the county rose from 9.2 percent to 10.4 percent. Health experts consider a positivity rate of 5 percent or above concerning.
Since the pandemic began, Bucks County has seen 40,349 COVID-19 infections and 1,037 deaths.
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Ways residents can help reduce the spread of COVID-19:
- Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
- Wear a mask properly when in a business or where it is difficult to maintain proper social distancing.
- Cover any coughs or sneezes with your elbow, not your hands.
- Clean surfaces frequently.
- Stay home to avoid spreading COVID-19, especially if you are unwell.
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