PA COVID Cases Ticking Up As Delta Variant Spreads Nationwide

PENNSYLVANIA — With the more contagious delta variant spreading around the country, COVID-19 cases are increasing slightly in Pennsylvania in what officials are terming a "pandemic of the unvaccinated."

Pennsylvania saw its first notable increase in cases for weeks last week, as the total number of new cases over a seven-day period rose from 907 to 1,480. Increases were also seen in the percent positivity rate on tests over that same period, with the statewide measure rising from 1.4 to 1.7 percent.

This comes after months of decline and several weeks of a seeming plateau, as the vaccine spread rapidly around the region. The vaccine continues to be the key to completely eradicating the virus.

"Look, the only pandemic we have is among the unvaccinated," President Joe Biden said last Friday.

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It's estimated the delta variant now accounts for 11.9 percent of COVID-19 cases in Pennsylvania, according to the latest data from the CDC. Nationwide, it's believed delta accounts for 83.2 percent of new cases that have been genetically sequenced, officials said.

Early studies show the delta variant is more infectious. It has about double the hospitalization rate of the alpha variant, the CDC said. And even though fully vaccinated people have been infected with the virus in some cases, vaccines still offer protection. Infected people are not typically sick enough to be admitted to the hospital, experts say.

The state's vaccine rate does continue to climb, as 61.9 percent of Pennsylvanians age 18 and older are fully vaccinated. Officials had originally set a goal of a 70 percent fully vaccinated rate by the end of June.

Although cases are increasing in Pennsylvania, healthcare metrics have continued to trend downward. The average number of hospitalizations over a seven-day period is down from 290 to 251, according to the latest data.

COVID-19 cases across the country tripled in the past three weeks, with hospitalizations and deaths rising among unvaccinated people. Officials fear that localized areas or even whole states with low vaccination rates could see coronavirus resurgences.

Four states with low vaccination rates accounted for 40 percent of new cases about a week ago, with nearly half from Florida, according to The Associated Press.