Not Done With The Virus: Allegheny County Reports Rising Cases Despite Decline Last Month

Pittsburgh PA

11 November, 2021

10:08 AM

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By PublicSource, Public Source November 10, 2021 PublicSource has been tracking COVID-19's spread on a daily basis since March 2020. More than a year later, in an effort to direct our resources into enterprise reporting on the pandemic and other important issues, we will cover the Allegheny County Health Department's weekly briefing on Wednesdays and update the numbers on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. We may adjust as the prevalence of the coronavirus ebbs and flows. If you have questions or comments, please email PublicSource's managing editor [email protected]. Despite slightly declining in October, COVID-19 cases in Allegheny County have increased over the past two weeks and are not expected to fall in the near future, County Health Director Dr. Debra Bogen said at a Wednesday briefing. Allegheny County averaged 350 to 400 new cases per day over the past two weeks and reported 600 new cases today alone. The rise in cases comes as other counties nationwide are experiencing declines, Bogen said. "We don't have any special reason other than that we have let our guard down and the Delta variant is a highly contagious virus," Bogen added. Mask-wearing and physical distancing have decreased countywide, and people are attending more large gatherings, including concerts and sporting events, Bogen said. "It's as if people have decided that they are done with the pandemic," she added. "I totally get it, I understand COVID fatigue, but wishful thinking does not make it so. We may be done with the virus, but unfortunately the virus is not done with us." Allegheny County reported 174 COVID-related deaths in October, the third highest since the pandemic began — only falling behind December 2020 and January 2021. As of Nov. 10, more than 740,000 Allegheny County residents are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, and an additional 87,000 partially vaccinated against the virus. Nearly 140,000 residents have received a booster dose. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now recommends anyone over age 5 receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Booster doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines are recommended for adults who have been fully vaccinated for at least six months and are either living in long-term care settings, have underlying medical conditions, work in a high-risk setting or are above the age of 65. Booster doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine are recommended for adults who have been fully vaccinated for at least two months. — By PublicSource intern Amelia Winger Resources COVID vaccine resources in the Pittsburgh region Housing and mental health supports amid COVID in Allegheny County Allegheny County's COVID-19 resource page with links to information on vaccines, testing sites and quarantine basics Allegheny County's map of vaccination sites (For more information or help with scheduling an appointment through Allegheny County's Area Agency on Aging, residents can call 412-350-4234.) Pennsylvania's COVID-19 vaccine rollout page This article was produced by PublicSource.org, a nonprofit news organization serving the Pittsburgh region. PublicSource tells stories for a better Pittsburgh. Sign up for their free email newsletters at publicsource.org/newsletters.