Allegheny County seeing ‘notable increase’ in COVID-19 cases, health department says
Updated: 8:51 AM EDT Jul 22, 2021
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Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald here with dr Deborah bogan from the Allegheny County Health Department giving our every two week evaluation an update on the coronavirus pandemic. Our numbers here continue to be very very good in Allegheny County which is something everybody should, should be very pleased and proud to be where we are. We see around the country in many, many states, an absolute explosion if you will. Another wave that’s coming in places like florida and Missouri and Mississippi etcetera um where vaccination rates are much, much lower than what we’ve seen here. We know our vaccination rates are better than than other places in the country but they’re still not where we would like to see them at this point, particularly among uh some of our younger population. So uh the numbers again have looked very very good and we want to continue along those lines but to just think that this is over would be a little bit premature. Um with the with the variant that’s out there, the delta variant and some of the other things that are happening, I think it is something that we still need to be concerned about. The other thing that concerned me this morning was to see that the death rate nationally was over 800 yesterday. So that is also going up in other parts of the country again, not here. And we’re fortunate we certainly don’t want that to happen here in Allegheny County. So we still want to continue to follow the recommendations that the doctor bogan and our health professionals continue to put out. I know we’re feeling very good and optimistic and you know we’re out and about a lot more as things have opened up, certainly much more than they have been in the past. But again um we still have to be very very cautious. Uh We also have a significant number of our population are under 12 population that can’t get vaccinated at this point. We want to make sure that they’re protected as well. So anyway, let me turn it over to dr bogan to give her update and uh and then take questions from the media. Dr Bergen. Thank you county executive. Good afternoon and thank you for joining us The day. The daily average for new cases over the past two weeks has not changed. We continue to have about 10-15 new cases a day. Our positivity rates, new hospitalizations and deaths remain low. And while these numbers have not changed, others have last friday, the state updated their vaccine dashboard to reflect the state’s efforts to de duplicate data and to improve 1st and 2nd dose matching the updated data provide a more accurate picture of vaccination rates, not only here in Allegheny County but across the state. So what did we learn? The updated data show that 66% of all Allegheny County residents, 10 or older or at least partially vaccinated And just over 60% are fully vaccinated. The updated numbers reflect a lower rate of Allegheny County residents who are partially vaccinated, but a higher rate of residents that are fully vaccinated. What it means to me is that we still have work to do to get more people vaccinated in the county. Our team is waiting for an updated data set from the state so we can dive into the details to really better identify communities in areas that have lower rates of vaccination than others. And that will allows us to target specific areas and populations. I really don’t think that vaccine access is the main issue anymore. We now have many vaccine providers and events widely available across the county. Almost all sites and providers allow walk ins. They have evening and extended hours. So the issue now is getting accurate information into the hands of trusted messengers into those communities that have lower rates of vaccination. Again, I touched on this during the last briefing, but it’s worth repeating. We really are striving for equity in our vaccination efforts and we are very grateful to the many organizations across the county who are working to address equity in vaccination efforts. For example, the federally qualified health centers, all the health care organizations, universities, pharmacies, the black Equity coalition, faith based organizations and so many others. I do want to remind the public that if you know someone who wants a vaccine but has having issues with access to please have them call 211 211 can help with scheduling homebound individuals that can help people find a vaccine provider near them and they can help arrange transportation to the vaccine site. The big challenge we have is countering misinformation that is swirling out there. That results in people choosing not to get vaccinated. Recent news articles have noted worries among young adults, including the vaccine. Science is quote unproven. The vaccines cause infertility. They’re waiting to see what the long term effects of the vaccine are, etcetera. We have answers and data to address all of these questions and concerns vaccine science data are clear. The risks associated with Covid disease are many times greater than the tiny risks associated with the vaccines themselves. Even for young and healthy people. As for long-term effects of vaccines, I will remind you that up to 10% of people, including young healthy people, we’ll get covid long haul syndrome. The symptoms vary widely but include things like extreme fatigue, headache, vertigo, shortness of breath changes in mood and many other things. And this happens even among people who had only mild symptoms or no symptoms at all when they had their acute illness. We are a country with deep held individual rights beliefs. But given that we are in a worldwide pandemic, I asked us all to consider how our individual decisions impact those around us By choosing not to get vaccinated. We are putting others at risk who can’t get vaccinated, including people with underlying health conditions and Children under 12 who are not yet eligible to be vaccinated. As I’ve said many times. The vaccines work here in Allegheny County. Among the 163 covid related deaths from april to june at least 93% were unvaccinated or only partially vaccinated. In other words, nearly all people who are vaccinated are protected from death and serious illness from this virus. So I encourage you and people all to read widely the available data and not to rely on social media or your friends is the only source of information. Really dive into the details, read the data and be informed. Mm hmm. I’ll end with another call to action. If you or anyone who needs help or guidance on getting a vaccine, please call 211. We will help in any way we can with that. I’ll open it to questions and thank you all for your um patients simply Please be safe and be kind. Our first topic comes from numerous members of the community who have called and emailed the Health department. What can you share regarding CDC recommendations about masks and schools and summer camps and how the health department deals with calls like those. Yeah, that’s that’s a really important question. We have been taking quite a few calls about that. So when we get these calls, um the staff first provides parents with some background information or the person who’s calling and to remind that the C. D. C. Doesn’t really issue mandates, but rather recommendations at this time, the C. D. C recommends that unvaccinated people, which as I mentioned earlier, includes everyone under 12 that wears masks when they’re indoors. Um It is up to individual organizations whether to follow those recommendations. So schools and summer camps have to make their own decisions. As for the Allegheny County Health Department, we encourage everyone to follow the CDC recommendations, including the masking recommendations. The CDC recommendations are based on the best available scientific data at a given time and that’s why they change over time. So until all Children get vaccinated, we continue to advise that people follow the CDC recommendations and where masks went indoors at camps and schools. The next question comes from Pittsburgh Business times, can you provide an update on the delta variant in Allegheny County? Um Excuse me. Yes. Um so the delta variant um is here, as we’ve said, um but so far Allegheny County has really not seen a huge jump in our infection rates that other areas have seen related to the delta virus to date. We have documented nine cases of the delta Varian, but they date back as far as um and they spread across March april May, etcetera. Um so, um if we look at how the variant has really played out in other areas, of course it concerns me, but at this point, um we haven’t seen that impact here locally, but it is another reason to go get your vaccine. The next set of questions comes from Pittsburgh business times where the new cases coming from, are they mostly vaccinated or unvaccinated people? What type of cases are they? And how do they contract covid? Um, so most of the cases are among unvaccinated. Um the current cases really report like they have at other times when we reported these data attending mass gatherings like weddings, funerals, parties, concerts, sporting events. Um, we’ve had a couple of cases from childcare and summer camps, but it’s really a variety of locations. There’s not one particular source of the infections that we’re seeing at this point. The next question is from KTKK Radio and the post gazette given the delta variant and the recent fourth of july holiday is the health department concerned about an uptick in cases of covid 19, especially as other major cities across the nation have started to see that trend. So as you can imagine, we are watching the numbers every day and we look at them closely. Um today we did see a jump in cases, we have 55 cases reported over 48 hours. Um, so again that, but that’s one day of two days of data over and that does not make a trend. So we’re basically going to follow the data and see what happens and keep you informed through our various methods to make sure you’re aware as well. So it’s really a wait and see. And this is our final question. Again from the Pittsburgh business Times dr bogan mentioned in the board of health meeting today. The higher case rates around the country. What concerns do you have about county residents on vacation or on business travel elsewhere around the U. S. Uh returning and bringing covid and the delta variant back here, much like what happened last year. Um So as I said at the board of health meeting, this is a worldwide pandemic. And by nature what happens elsewhere in the world will likely impact us here too. So the higher vaccination rates, the fewer people who are able to spread the virus and that will reduce our spread here. So really the key to not being impacted by the changes happening around the world or even in other states around us is to get more people vaccinated. Um I do ask that when people travel uh that they follow the CDC recommendations on masking, there is a mask requirement on public transportation. So planes, trains, automobiles, buses, school buses, so to remind people to wear their masks when they’re on transportation and also to remind people when they come back from travel if they’re sick to please go get tested. Um again, our positivity rates are really low, so only now about one and 100 test come back positive. But it’s important to know if you are positive so that you can refrain from exposing other people and spreading it. So I think if everyone follows the guidance, we won’t see what happened last summer um happening now with all the travel going on. And that was the final question. If there are any closing remarks, thank you dr bogan for uh those uh those good words in the in the good report and certainly the recommendations. Uh, but I think the the message we still want to get out is that, you know, while we haven’t been talking about this nearly as much as we did previously as we’re heading in with good numbers, um uh we we know that this virus is still there, but we know how to beat it. It’s vaccinations. The more vaccines we get in arms and people, the more protection will have particularly those Folks who can’t get a vaccine because of underlying health conditions or under the age of 12. And we don’t live in a bubble so that those things that are happening in other states that aren’t doing so well uh eventually will be here as people travel and people come in contact with others. So um the evidence is so overwhelming at this point, I saw a statistic this morning that the death rate, 99.2% of the people who who have succumbed uh recently or people that are unvaccinated. So .8% of the of the of the deaths have happened for people that have been vaccinated. So I mean I can’t think of any statistic that would be as overwhelming as that to show the proof that vaccines work. And let’s get everybody protected. Uh and let’s beat this thing. We’ve got it on the run and uh let’s uh I hate to say but let’s finish it off. So anyway we’ll be back in a couple of weeks, whereas Dr Bergen said we continue to monitor very closely here at the health department to make sure we’re protecting people and not get too complacent and everybody be safe. Thank you. Uh huh.
Allegheny County seeing ‘notable increase’ in COVID-19 cases, health department says
Updated: 8:51 AM EDT Jul 22, 2021
Allegheny County reported 125 new COVID-19 cases over the past 48 hours, according to an update released Wednesday.The update includes 70 cases from Monday and 55 cases from Tuesday, according to the Allegheny County Health Department.All but four of the coronavirus tests were collected in the past week, the health department said.A statement from Dr. Debra Bogen, the Allegheny County Health Department Director, called it a “notable increase” from the 10 to 15 daily cases seen in June and early July.Bogen noted that the numbers remain significantly lower than during the spring surge, but said it is “a stark reminder that this virus is not done with us.”“These numbers are concerning, but not surprising. Give the virus an opening, and it will enter. Unfortunately, we are giving it an opening, not only here, but across the country. The delta variant in combination with many unvaccinated people has resulted in this new wave of cases. The delta variant is significantly more contagious than other forms of the virus and is more likely to cause severe disease. In other parts of the country, the delta variant has resulted in an increase in hospitalizations; it is too soon to know if that will happen here. However, we can prevent it if more of our friends and loved ones get vaccinated. We have ample vaccine, as do our healthcare partners,” she said in a statement.Bogen asked residents to follow recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.She also noted that although COVID-19 vaccines are highly protective for severe disease caused by the delta variant, they are less protective for more mild illness.Bogen said recent case investigations that trace new infections show that many are coming from gatherings that are indoors and do not have a lot of social distancing or mask-wearing. Recent examples include a private charter plane flight, a crowded boat cruise, a public game of bingo, sporting events, Fourth of July parties and a music recording session, Bogen said.“I ask anyone who tests positive and is then contacted by one of our case investigators to answer their questions and follow their instructions so we can contain the spread of the virus. This has been and will continue to be an essential way to contain the spread of infectious diseases. We can only do this if you tell us where you might have been exposed and who else might be at risk,” she said.Bogen said the county has only been able to reach 50 percent of cases recently, which makes it difficult to track data, such as the percentage of cases who are vaccinated or not. “We understand that the public wants this information—and we want to provide it—but please understand that we do not have immediate access to data showing who among the new cases was vaccinated or not. We must rely on case investigation and state and federal databases,” she said.Anyone who has questions about the vaccines is asked to visit the Allegheny County Health Department website. Those seeking assistance with a vaccine appointment can call 211.NOTE: The video above is from the health department’s most recent briefing on July 14. The next briefing will be held on July 28.
PITTSBURGH —
Allegheny County reported 125 new COVID-19 cases over the past 48 hours, according to an update released Wednesday.
The update includes 70 cases from Monday and 55 cases from Tuesday, according to the Allegheny County Health Department.
All but four of the coronavirus tests were collected in the past week, the health department said.
A statement from Dr. Debra Bogen, the Allegheny County Health Department Director, called it a “notable increase” from the 10 to 15 daily cases seen in June and early July.
Bogen noted that the numbers remain significantly lower than during the spring surge, but said it is “a stark reminder that this virus is not done with us.”
“These numbers are concerning, but not surprising. Give the virus an opening, and it will enter. Unfortunately, we are giving it an opening, not only here, but across the country. The delta variant in combination with many unvaccinated people has resulted in this new wave of cases. The delta variant is significantly more contagious than other forms of the virus and is more likely to cause severe disease. In other parts of the country, the delta variant has resulted in an increase in hospitalizations; it is too soon to know if that will happen here. However, we can prevent it if more of our friends and loved ones get vaccinated. We have ample vaccine, as do our healthcare partners,” she said in a statement.
Bogen asked residents to follow recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
She also noted that although COVID-19 vaccines are highly protective for severe disease caused by the delta variant, they are less protective for more mild illness.
Bogen said recent case investigations that trace new infections show that many are coming from gatherings that are indoors and do not have a lot of social distancing or mask-wearing.
Recent examples include a private charter plane flight, a crowded boat cruise, a public game of bingo, sporting events, Fourth of July parties and a music recording session, Bogen said.
“I ask anyone who tests positive and is then contacted by one of our case investigators to answer their questions and follow their instructions so we can contain the spread of the virus. This has been and will continue to be an essential way to contain the spread of infectious diseases. We can only do this if you tell us where you might have been exposed and who else might be at risk,” she said.
Bogen said the county has only been able to reach 50 percent of cases recently, which makes it difficult to track data, such as the percentage of cases who are vaccinated or not.
“We understand that the public wants this information—and we want to provide it—but please understand that we do not have immediate access to data showing who among the new cases was vaccinated or not. We must rely on case investigation and state and federal databases,” she said.
Anyone who has questions about the vaccines is asked to visit the Allegheny County Health Department website.
Those seeking assistance with a vaccine appointment can call 211.
NOTE: The video above is from the health department’s most recent briefing on July 14. The next briefing will be held on July 28.
‘Notable increase’ in cases, health dept. says Source link ‘Notable increase’ in cases, health dept. says
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