A $50,000 grant has been awarded by the state Department of Community and Economic Development to run a full COVID-19 vaccine promotion campaign in seven northwestern counties.

The grant was written by County Commissioner Jeff Eggleston, who is part of a Vaccine Awareness Team that, on its own, raised over $4,000 in one week to boost awareness. “I think this is a huge step in battling misinformation and increasing vaccination in the region,” Eggleston said. “With the size of the award it only makes sense to include the nearby regions as well and we will be reaching out to leaders there to make inroads on sharing messages from local voices.”

The grant will be used to purchase billboards, radio advertising, print advertising, create handouts, and other materials that will be circulated in a seven-county region including Warren, Crawford, Clarion, McKean, Elk, Forest, and Venango.

Warren County’s total number of COVID-19 cases hit 5,400 with 36 cases announced in data released on Tuesday. The death toll also rose by two and is now 168.

Warren General Hospital Chief Nursing Officer Joe Akif said the hospital has seen a decline in COVID hospitalizations.

“We currently have seven COVID related admissions,” he said. “This would correlate to the past trends seen around the holidays. With the passing of Thanksgiving and an increase in indoor activities, we have seen the natural progression of transmission and recuperation.

“We are still seeing difficulty with transferring patients, but that is also improving. Currently we are bracing for a post-Holiday uptick in cases and hospitalizations. It has been predictable and present.”

One way to combat hospitalizations is increased vaccinations.

“Over 90% of the people we see at Warren General Hospital for COVID are unvaccinated,” Dr. Keith Price, WGH medical director said in a statement.

More community voices have signed on to the promotion effort since the website – warrenvax.com – went live.

“I am grateful how God works through the minds and hands of our scientists and medical community,” Rev. James Swanson, Pleasant Community Church, explained. “Despite experiencing COVID-19 near the beginning of this outbreak in the states, my family, including my teenage children, have all been vaccinated, and so too 100% of the adults in my church. I highly encourage others to do the same!”

Medical professionals that are supporting the effort include Dr. Sunny Thomas, Price, Dr. Timothy Stanton, Dr. John Sutton and Dr. Barney Eden.

“We’re going to continue this campaign and do everything we can to give voice to reason on this issue and increase the safety of our citizenry,” Eggleston said.