Allegheny County Has A Long Road Ahead With Just 4,000 Vaccinated And COVID Case Counts Still High

Pittsburgh PA

28 December, 2020

5:28 PM

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Public Source By PublicSource reporters | December 27, 2020 The Allegheny County Health Department on Saturday reported 1,209 new COVID-19 cases and six new deaths over the past 48 hours, which included the Christmas holiday. New COVID-positive cases were reported in people from 1 week to 98 years old, with a median age of 48. The deaths occurred on Dec. 23 and 24. Two people who died were in their 70s, three were in their 80s and one was in their 90s. Three of the deaths were associated with long-term care facilities. To date, ACHD has reported 50,859 cases, 853 deaths and 3,076 past and present hospitalizations. Across Allegheny County, around 4,000 people have received their first doses of COVID-19 vaccine, according to Allegheny County Health Department Director Dr. Debra Bogen. That represents a start to a long road ahead. "Although there is light at the end of this dark tunnel with now two … vaccines being delivered across the country and the county, it is far too early to let down our guard," Bogen said during a Wednesday livestream. "We certainly have at least a few more difficult months ahead of us. Many more cases, hospitalizations and deaths." The recent slight decline in the daily case average may represent the start of a larger decline, but it's too early to tell, according to Bogen. Following new mitigation orders, it usually takes two weeks to see results, but factors like the holiday season complicate the situation. "I think it's a little bit too soon to make real, conclusive conclusions from this data except to say it fits the pattern we expected," Bogen said. County Executive Rich Fitzgerald thanked both frontline workers and first responders for their efforts fighting the pandemic. Bogen highlighted the intense work done by healthcare workers. "Thank you to all of you. I appreciate your work, and people throughout the county appreciate your work and dedication to your professions," she said. Pennsylvania Department of Health [DOH] Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine called on hospitals Wednesday to vaccinate healthcare providers they don't directly employ during phase one of inoculations. She drew particular attention to emergency medical personnel. "EMS providers are called to care for people experiencing a health crisis and who are in immediate need of care," Levine said during a virtual press conference. "While EMS workers do take steps to protect themselves, including wearing PPE, they are walking into unknown situations and are really our frontline first responders." Right now, the state places the responsibility upon hospitals to vaccinate healthcare workers who assist hospitals while not being directly employed, according to Levine. "If someone in the community has difficulty, of course they can contact [DOH], but we'll be working with the hospitals as well as other providers such as [federally qualified health centers] to be able to accomplish this, and we'll work to facilitate it with them," Levine said. Ahead of Christmas Eve, Levine issued her now-regular warning to stay home in order to control the spread of the virus. "In the meantime, until everyone can get vaccinated, we absolutely need people to answer the call and wear a mask, to wash their hands frequently, to avoid small and large gatherings, to social distance, to stay home, and to download the COVID Alert PA app," Levine said. DOH on Saturday reported 14,755 new COVID cases over the past 48 hours, bringing the statewide total to 605,141. The state also reported 165 deaths over that period, bringing the statewide death toll to 14,883. Nursing and personal care home employees and residents represent almost 10% of the state's total cases and about 56.5% of the state's total deaths. Healthcare workers represent about 3.1% of the state's total caseload. As of Saturday, there are 5,925 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19 in Pennsylvania, nearly double the spring peak. About 20% of those individuals are in intensive care units. Since Tuesday, the federal government has distributed 127,755 vaccine doses across 109 hospitals in Pennsylvania. As of Saturday, 66,350 of these vaccine doses had been administered. DOH Director of Testing and Contact Tracing Michael Huff said during a press conference Tuesday that he expects testing to become more readily available in the future, with additional sites and more widespread rapid testing. Huff also said the state is working "very closely" with a vendor that is creating an at-home test. "I would suggest to you that probably in the next two months, you're going to see some of these kits at the drugstores and other areas. And in the next three to six months, I think they'll be readily available." On Dec. 17, the FDA granted emergency use authorization for the first at-home testing kit. When asked why Pennsylvania has less rapid testing available than some other states, Huff said the state uses PCR tests instead of rapid antigen tests because they are more accurate. "More often than not, you're doing a rapid antigen test, and you may have to follow it up with a PCR test, which again, delays the results even more and creates some confusion." On Monday, Congress approved a $900 billion pandemic stimulus package, $22 billion of which will be sent directly to states for testing, tracing and mitigation measures. Huff said it is not yet clear how much money Pennsylvania will receive, but that the state is considering using the funding to increase surveillance testing on college campuses and in other congregate settings. Weekly caseloads From Dec. 11 to 17, Gov. Tom Wolf's office reported 57,098 new COVID-19 cases, which represents 4,371 fewer cases than the previous week. Last week also brought 5,750 new positive cases among 5- to 18-year-olds, about 13% of that demographic's total cases from throughout the pandemic. The figure down about 442 from the previous week's caseload. Still, the governor's office continues to identify all 67 Pennsylvania counties as having a "substantial" transmission rate. Only 4.1% of the individuals with COVID-19 cases reported from Dec. 6 to 12 responded to case investigator questions about whether they've visited businesses, such as restaurants, gyms or salons. About 8.8% of those who responded said they visited a business. New statewide restrictions On Dec. 10, the governor announced new restrictions to stop the spread of COVID-19, including the suspension of indoor dining, extracurricular activities at schools, and indoor activities at casinos, theaters and similar venues. Retail is limited to 50% of indoor capacity. The new restrictions took effect Dec. 12 and will run until Jan. 4 at 8 a.m. In announcing the new restrictions, Wolf noted the rising death toll from the pandemic and concern for hospital capacity. "The problem we're all facing is this virus continues to rage in Pennsylvania, and over the past several weeks it has become clear that we need to take further mitigation actions to protect Pennsylvanians and stop the spread of COVID-19," Wolf said during a press conference. "We all hoped it would not come to this. The current state of the surge in Pennsylvania, though, will not allow us to wait." In announcing the new restrictions, Wolf acknowledged the dire financial impact the pandemic has had on bars and restaurants, particularly around the holiday season. "It has been crushing, crushing for restaurants and bars," Wolf said. "Unfortunately, [the coronavirus] thrives in places where people gather together." The new restrictions limit in-person gatherings to 10 people. Places of worship are specifically excluded from the order but are urged to comply. Outdoor gatherings are limited to 50 people. Top COVID news for the week of Dec. 20: Wolf announced Wednesday plans for the state to transfer $145 million from the Pennsylvania Insurance Department's Workers' Compensation Security Fund into grants for businesses harmed by the pandemic. This transfer of funds would require authorization from the state's legislature. "Business owners and employees have worked hard to protect their customers and their communities during this pandemic, and I thank all of those who have prioritized health and safety despite the hardship of the past several months," Wolf said in a press release, adding that they "need and deserve our support."The Department of State's Bureau of Enforcement and Investigation performed 496 inspections and opened 16 investigations focusing on COVID-19-specific compliance from Dec. 6 to 13. The bureau distributed three warning letters and one compliance letter. Consumers with complaints or concerns can file online.The Department of State's Bureau of Enforcement and Investigation performed 496 inspections and opened 16 investigations focusing on COVID-19-specific compliance from Dec. 6 to 13. The bureau distributed three warning letters and one compliance letter. Consumers with complaints or concerns can file online. This article was reported by Nicole C. Brambila, Oliver Morrison, Rich Lord, Matt Petras, Juliette Rihl, Charlie Wolfson, Mark Kramer, Jon Moss, Emma Folts, Veonna King, Amanda Su, Kellen Stepler, James Anthony Bell III, Sophie Burkholder and Amanda Hernandez. 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.