Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com
Amid the surge in the omicron variant, Bucks County is reporting high numbers numbers of new COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations.
Last week, Bucks County had 3,043 new infections, a rise over the 2,290 over the week prior, according to Pennsylvania Department of Health data.
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The COVID-19 test positivity rate rose from 11.9 percent to 13.7 percent last week in the county. A test positivity rate higher than 5 percent means health experts consider the spread of COVID-19 uncontrolled.
The number of Bucks Countians is area hospitals with COVID-19 slightly decreased from 149 people to 140 as of the start of this week. However, the amount of people in intensive care and on ventilators remained steady, with 29 in intensive care and 11 on ventilators.
The Bucks County Health Department has released information in recent weeks that the vast majority of serious COVID-19 infections that involve hospitalizations are among people who are not vaccinated.
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Last week, the number of COVID-19 deaths rose from 11 the week prior to 13, according to state health department data.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported the large majority of COVID-19 infections in the region are of the fast-spreading omicron variant.
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With increases in COVID-19 cases in recent weeks, state and federal health officials have urged residents to get vaccinated and receive a third dose if they are eligible and have not yet done so.
Despite the Christmas holiday last week, COVID-19 vaccination sites remained busy, according to state data.
As of Tuesday, there were 80,827 people who were partially vaccinated and 369,482 who were fully vaccinated in Bucks County, according to state data.
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A total of 119,505 third doses have been administered in the county since third doses and booster shots were approved in mid-August.
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 90,050 COVID-19 cases in Bucks County and 1,546 deaths.
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