Times Observer photo by Brian Ferry A sign in the front window at Gaughn’s Drug Store in Warren indicates that COVID-19 vaccine is available. Vaccine remains available locally on a walk-in basis at several local pharmacies.

The total number of COVID-19 cases in Warren County hasn’t grown for the better part of a week.

There were no new cases reported in the county in the past four days. But, because there were five new cases reported on June 18, the average is still one per day over that stretch.

The incidence of COVID cases in the county is down to a rate similar to that of September and October 2020, before the first surge.

From Nov. 1, 2020, through Feb. 19, 2021, there wasn’t a single day when the Pennsylvania Department of Health reported no new cases in the county.

From Nov. 30 to Jan. 2, the low for new cases was 12 (Dec. 17) and there was a high of 78 (Dec. 19).

There are still days with multiple new cases. As recently as May 4, there were 38.

The rate of new deaths associated with the virus has dropped to about one per month — there have been five COVID-related deaths reported in the county since Feb. 25. But, in January, an average of just over two county residents died every day of COVID-related issues.

VACCINE

There had been 13,289 residents fully vaccinated against COVID, with another 3,357 having received the first of two doses.

The number of people fully vaccinated continues to rise and there are still some people getting first shots. Since the beginning of the month, about 1,550 more people have been added to the fully-vaccinated list while about 840 were subtracted from the partially-vaccinated total.

With 16,646 residents vaccinated, the county is about 42 percent vaccinated. For eligible residents — those ages 12 and up — the percentage is about 52.6.

MONDAY CHANGES

Although the county is not close to the stated goal of 70 percent, Gov. Tom Wolf has announced that the state-wide masking order will be lifted on Monday.

“Once the statewide masking order is lifted, Pennsylvania will continue to follow the CDC guidance for wearing a mask where required by law, rule, and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance,” according to a release from Wolf’s office.

According to the CDC’s guidance for unvaccinated people, “masks are required on planes, buses, trains, and other forms of public transportation traveling into, within, or out of the United States and in U.S. transportation hubs such as airports and stations. Travelers are not required to wear a mask in outdoor areas of a conveyance (like on a ferry or the top deck of a bus). CDC recommends that travelers who are not fully vaccinated continue to wear a mask and maintain physical distance when traveling.

CDC’s guidance for fully-vaccinated people includes:

¯ “You can resume activities that you did prior to the pandemic; and

¯ Fully vaccinated people can resume activities without wearing a mask or physically distancing, except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance.”

According to CDC, “COVID-19 vaccines are effective at preventing COVID-19 disease, especially severe illness and death, and COVID-19 vaccines reduce the risk of people spreading COVID-19.”

The list of unknowns regarding the vaccines, according to CDC, include:

¯ “How effective the vaccines are against variants of the virus that causes COVID-19. Early data show the vaccines may work against some variants but could be less effective against others;

¯ How well the vaccines protect people with weakened immune systems, including people who take immunosuppressive medications; and

¯ How long COVID-19 vaccines can protect people.”