Three local counties are now in a lower level of community transmission of COVID-19, the Pennsylvania Department of Health reported on Tuesday.
For the week of May 21-27, McKean County is at moderate level of transmission, and Potter, Elk and Cameron counties are at low level of transmission.
Just one week ago, McKean and Potter counties were at substantial risk and Elk County was at moderate risk. Cameron County’s level did not change.
McKean County had 20 fewer cases of COVID-19 during the week of May 21-27 and a percent positivity rate of 8.7%, down from 11.5% the week prior. The incidence rate was 56.6 per 100,000 residents.
In Elk County, there were 9 fewer cases and an incidence rate of 3.2%, less than half of what it was the week prior when it reported a rate of 7.1%. The incidence rate was 10 per 100,000 residents.
Potter County had 27 fewer confirmed cases and a positivity rate of 4.6%, less than a third of the rate of 14.7% that it reported the week prior. The incidence rate was 24.2 per 100,000 residents.
Cameron County’s number of positive cases was down by 1 the week of May 21-27 compared to the week prior. The positivity rate was 13%, down from 14.3% the week prior. The incidence rate was 45 per 100,000 residents.
Only one of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties was still at a substantial level of community transmission: Wyoming. There are 10 counties at low transmission, and the rest are at moderate transmission.
“COVID is tough, but together Pennsylvanians are tougher,” said Gov. Tom Wolf. “Pennsylvania continues to see positive trends — low case counts and increased vaccinations every day. Over 50 percent of Pennsylvanians are fully vaccinated and that number continues to increase.”
Across the state there was a case increase of 4,811 from May 21-27 and a percent positivity rate of 3.8%. During the week prior, there was a seven-day increase of 7,240 cases and a percent positivity rate of 4.5%.
There are 40 counties that have a positivity rate below 5% and no counties with a rate over 20%.
“Together we can defeat COVID-19 in our communities,” said Acting Secretary of Health Alison Beam. “We encourage Pennsylvanians to get vaccinated against COVID-19 and talk to your friends and family about doing the same to add the best protection against the virus to your loved ones and ultimately make your communities a safer place to live, work and play.”
