While vaccine distribution increases in Bucks County, new COVID-19 infections also continue to increase.
Last week, there were 1,964 new COVID-19 cases in Bucks County, an 8 percent increase over the prior week and an 87 percent increase over the last week in February, according to data from the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
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While the numbers had increased by a large percentage recently, the new infection rates are nowhere as high as at the start of 2021.
Statewide and nationwide, cases have been increasing in recent weeks.
In Bucks County, the test positivity rate rose from 9.2 percent the week prior to 11 percent last week. A test positivity rate higher than 5 percent is considered concerning to health experts.
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Seven COVID-19-related deaths of Bucks Countians were reported last week. The number has remained relativity stable as cases have increased.
Through the end of last week, there were 96 COVID-19 patients in Bucks County hospitals and 11 on ventilators.
The rate of hospitalizations was 50 percent higher last week than a month ago.
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“Our hospitals continue to remain in very good shape,” said Dr. David Damsker, director of the Bucks County Health Department. “While cases are indeed up some, there is a trade-off between these increases and finally allowing people to go back to some of their ‘normal’ activities. Pushing through as many vaccinations as we can, along with some immunity from natural infection, will soon get us where we want to be.”
Since the pandemic began, Bucks County has seen 52,661 cases and 1,183 deaths.
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