COVID-19 Hospitalizations Rising In Bucks County, Most Patients Unvaccinated


A medical professional helps a New Mexican COVID-19 patient in December 2021.

COVID-19 hospitalizations have risen since the start of this month in Bucks County and most of the patients are unvaccinated.

Last week, Bucks County had the number of new COVID-19 cases rise 40 percent over the prior week from 1,780 to 2,496, according to Pennsylvania Department of Health data.

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The county reported a one day total of more than 570 new cases, which is a level not seen since January.

The test positivity rate rose from 9.9 percent to 10.7 percent last week. A test positivity rate higher than 5 percent means health experts consider the spread of COVID-19 uncontrolled.

The number of Bucks Countians in the hospital with COVID-19 rose 31 percent over the prior week.

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As of Tuesday, 124 local residents were in hospitals with COVID-19. Among those patients, 24 were in intensive care and eight of them were on ventilators, state data showed.

According to the Bucks County Health Department, of 133 COVID-19 patients who were recently in local hospitals with COVID-19, 104 were unvaccinated and only 29 were vaccinated. Of 23 intensive care-level COVID-19 patients, 22 were unvaccinated and one was vaccinated. Among those in need of a ventilator, all were unvaccinated.

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The county had seven COVID-19 deaths last week, a rise over the previous week.

The number of new and third dose and booster shots being administered in Bucks County remained strong last week.

In recent weeks, the level of new COVID-19 vaccinations administered has reached levels not seen since late spring, according to state data.

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State and federal health officials have urged residents to get vaccinated and get a third dose if they are eligible and have not yet done so.

A vaccinator prepares a dose in April. Credit: PA Internet News Service

Through Tuesday, there were 74,028 people who were partially vaccinated and 364,709 who were fully vaccinated in Bucks County, according to state data.

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Since third doses and booster shots were approved in mid-August, a total of 102,901 additional doses have been administered in the county.

The three COVID-19 vaccines in use have been proven safe and effective. For more information on how to get vaccinated, click here.

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Since the pandemic began, there have been 83,375 COVID-19 cases in Bucks County and 1,512 deaths.

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