Warren County has gone three straight days without a double-digit increase in new COVID-19 cases.

That hadn’t happened since late November.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health announced one COVID-related death, bringing the county’s toll to 82, and seven new cases for a total of 1,959 in Tuesday’s release.

The last time there were three days in a row with single-digit increases was also the last time there were four straight – Nov. 21, 22, 23, and 24 – with 18 total cases over the four days. The county’s surge began on Nov. 25 with 22 new cases. There were double-digit increases every day – including a single-day high of 80 on Dec. 20 – from then until Jan. 4.

The department’s statistics indicate a dramatic drop in the number of COVID-positive patients at Warren General Hospital. In Monday’s reporting, there were 27 patients. As of Tuesday, the number was down to seven.

“What we are seeing is the decline of positive tests and admissions,” Chief Nursing Officer Joe Akif said. “The death rate is unfortunately still high, but is reflecting the experience the rest of the country has experienced with peaks in deaths several weeks after the peak in positivity and admissions.”

“We remain hopeful and optimistic that the holidays have passed and that we are leveling off in terms of new cases and flat admissions,” Akif said.

Hospital personnel have received the second round of the vaccine and at least hundreds of others have received their first doses.

Still, the pandemic represents and threat and mitigation efforts should be maintained.

“We all need to remember that the masking and distancing is working,” Akif said. “Please continue to follow as we work out with the state an enhanced method to vaccinate the county.”