There were six new cases of COVID-19 and no new deaths announced for Warren County on Thursday.

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Health, there have been 2,195 cases in the county — six more than the 2,189 reported on Wednesday.

Of that total, 1,775 were confirmed and 420 probables. Just over 5.6 percent of the county population has had COVID-19.

There have been 98 COVID-related deaths of county residents so far. That number did not change in Thursday’s report.

The situation at Warren General Hospital did not change either, with two COVID-positive patients, neither on ventilators nor in intensive care.

The county has taken a step forward in regard to the number of people who are fully vaccinated.

Between Wednesday’s report and Thursday’s, about 210 people were added to the total (2,394 to 2,605) who have had two doses of the two-dose Moderna vaccine. At the same time, the number who have had only the first shot dropped (2,381 to 2,321) as more second doses have been given recently than first doses.

VACCINE OPTIONS

Soon, there may be more than one COVID vaccine available in the county. So far, the vast majority have been able to receive the Moderna vaccine or none at all.

“All COVID-19 vaccines currently available in the United States have been shown to be highly effective at preventing COVID-19,” according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). “Based on what we know about vaccines for other diseases and early data from clinical trials, experts believe that getting a COVID-19 vaccine may also help keep you from getting seriously ill even if you do get COVID-19.”

“Regarding COVID, definitely take the first available shot regardless of manufacturer,” Akif said. “This will help speed the movement towards herd immunity. All indications at this time are pointing to annual boosters for COVID. Much like the flu.”

People who are registering on multiple sites may want to remember which brand of vaccine they receive for their first dose.

“One new consideration for people, as people reach out to register at various locations in an attempt to get their shots more quickly, please pay attention to the manufacturer that you receive,” Akif said. “If you receive one of the vaccine that require a second dose, your second dose must be the same manufacturer as the first. So if you get Moderna, your second shot must be Moderna. The same for Pfizer. Johnson and Johnson is one shot, so there is no need to be concerned for a second shot.”

That will be easy at Warren General. “The hospital only provides Moderna at this time,” Akif said. Anyone who received a different brand first and, for whatever reason, is trying to get their second dose at Warren General, should contact their original provider for guidance.

None of the vaccines use live COVID virus, but there are different deliveries – vectors – available. If a patient knows they have a particular immunity to one vector, they may have to search for the appropriate clinic.

“Anyone taking a shot, should do their own research if they have a preference for which type of vector being used to deliver the vaccine,” Akif said.

FLU

The steps people have been taking to limit the spread of COVID-19 is apparently reducing the spread of influenza, too.

According to the department, there have been less than 3,000 confirmed cases of the flu so far this year, compared to more than 11,000 at this time last year.

“We can attribute the low flu activity in part to COVID-19 mitigation efforts that are also effective in preventing the flu, since the two infectious diseases spread the same way,” Acting Secretary of Health Alison Beam said. “In addition, a record number of individuals got their flu vaccine this season.”

There had been no cases of the flu seen at Warren General Hospital as of Thursday, according to Chief Nursing Officer Joe Akif. “We feel this is a by-product of the masking and distancing and diminished large scale events in the community.”