New Data On COVID-19 Transmission In PA Released By CDC

PENNSYLVANIA — Three of Pennsylvania's 67 counties are again in the "high" transmission level for COVID-19, new data says.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has released its latest community level COVID-19 transmission rates for the last week, which look at the number of new cases in each county across the U.S. as well as hospitalization rates.

This week, Lycoming, Clinton, and Juniata counties are in the "high" community transmission category. This is a much lower number of counties than in early June, when 17 counties had "high" community levels.

Health experts are keeping an eye on the new coronavirus omicron subvariant BA.5, which is responsible for more than half of the country's new COVID-19 cases, according to the most recent data from the CDC.

Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties are in the "medium" transmission category with 20 others this week.

Pennsylvania has reported 19,947 new cases of COVID-19 and 128 deaths in the past week, CDC data shows. Statewide, 79.3 percent of people 18 and older are fully vaccinated, and 46.6 percent of adults have gotten their first booster dose.

The CDC recommends everyone who lives in a high transmission area wear a mask indoors in public and to get tested for COVID-19 if they have any symptoms.

Here are more details on what the public health guidelines are for those living in a high transmission area:

• Regardless of vaccination status, including in K-12 schools and other indoor community settings
• If you are immunocompromised or high risk for severe disease:
  • Wear a mask or respirator that provides you with greater protection
  • Consider avoiding non-essential indoor activities in public where you could be exposed
  • Talk to your healthcare provider about whether you need to take other precautions
  • Have a plan for rapid testing if needed (having home tests or access to testing)
  • If you test positive: Talk to your healthcare provider about whether you are a candidate for treatments like oral antivirals and monoclonal antibodies
• If you have household or social contact with someone at high risk for severe disease:
  • consider self-testing to detect infection before contact
  • consider wearing a mask when indoors with them
• Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines and boosters
• Maintain improved ventilation throughout indoor spaces when possible
• Follow CDC recommendations for isolation and quarantine, including getting tested if you are exposed to COVID-19 or have symptoms of COVID-19

For those living in communities listed at a medium risk for transmission, the CDC recommends:

• Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines
• Get tested if you have symptoms
• Wear a mask if you have symptoms, a positive test, or exposure to someone with COVID-19.
• Wear a mask on public transportation
• You may choose to wear a mask at any time as an additional precaution to protect yourself and others
• If you are at high risk for severe illness, consider wearing a mask indoors in public and taking additional precautions

Across the U.S., 35 percent of counties are listed in the high transmission bracket, which is a 15 percent increase over last week. Meanwhile, 40 percent of the nation's counties are listed in the medium level and 25 percent are at low levels of transmission.

Patch's Amie Schaenzer contributed to this report.