COVID community levels remain low across much of PA, CDC says. Here are 4 counties at high

Though many Pennsylvania counties remain at low or medium COVID-19 levels, one additional area has moved to a “high” COVID-19 community level since last week, bringing the total to four, the latest update to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s data show.

The four counties scored as high as of Friday were Mercer, Fayette, Washington and Montour.

Last week, the CDC had three counties at a high level: Juniata, Clinton and Lycoming. Juniata was downgraded to medium this week, while Lycoming and Clinton counties were downgraded to low.

Centre County is at a low level as of the latest update.

At high community levels, the CDC recommends individuals wear a mask in indoor, public places.

At all levels, individuals are encouraged to stay up to date on vaccinations and test if symptoms arise. At the medium classification, those who are considered at higher risk should consider masking or other prevention measures.

Those who come in contact with someone positive for COVID-19 or who have symptoms themselves should get tested and wear a mask in public.

The federal agency updates its community levels weekly, scoring U.S. counties based on number of new cases per 100,000 people, new COVID hospital admissions per 100,000 people (both seven-day totals) and percent of inpatient COVID-19 beds that are filled at area hospitals (a seven-day average).

Community levels have largely remained in the low and medium levels in recent weeks in Pennsylvania after heightened case counts late in the spring. Those came amid a surge of an omicron variant, BA.2.12.1.

Another omicron variant is now sweeping the U.S., BA.5, and much of Pennsylvania remains at a high transmission level. Only Warren, Forest, Elk, Sullivan and Snyder counties were not at a high transmission level — a separate CDC metric from community level — as of Monday. Those five were at the next highest level, substantial.

BA.5 is now the dominant variant in the U.S. It is the most transmissible variant yet and accounts for nearly 80% of COVID-19 cases in the country. Additionally, researchers believe the strain is four times more resistant to vaccines.

COVID-19 in Pennsylvania

The state updates its COVID-19 dashboard weekly on Wednesdays, and as of July 20, reported more than 3 million confirmed and probable cases and 46,047 deaths from the virus in the state since the onset of the pandemic.

The CDC reports the state recorded 20,434 cases in the seven days prior to the update, along with 99 deaths.

In addition, as of last week, 1,130 patients were hospitalized with COVID-19 in Pennsylvania, with 126 in intensive care and 52 on ventilators, the state dashboard shows.

President Joe Biden was set to visit the state Thursday, but canceled plans after testing positive for COVID-19 that morning. The president was vaccinated and had symptoms, which multiple outlets report are improving as of Monday.

COVID-19 in Centre County

According to the CDC, Centre County has reported 231 new cases in the seven days prior to July 21. There have been no new deaths reported.

Nearly 1,500 tests have been administered, with a positivity rate of 13.96%. That rate likely doesn’t capture the full scope, as at-home testing is leading to undercounts of official data.

The CDC reports 60.8% of Centre County residents are fully vaccinated against the coronavirus.

No matter where you live in the U.S., you can use vaccines.gov to find a vaccination site near you.