Delco Cases Down As Officials Warn Of Coronavirus Omicron Variant

DELAWARE COUNTY, PA — The latest data from state health officials show new confirmed cases of the coronavirus are down in Delaware County, but hospitalizations have increased, over the past week as local health officials warn of the new Omicron variant.

According to new data from the state on the coronavirus in Delco, cases dropped from 814 to 716 over the past seven days, a more than 12 percent decrease.

Additionally, the incidence rate per 100,000 people saw a decrease from 143.6 to 126.3.

Average daily coronavirus specific hospitalizations went up, increasing to 45.4 this week from 31.9 last week.

The county's positive testing rate and average number of hospital patients on ventilators went up slightly. Positive tests went up from 7.7 percent to 7.9 percent, and ventilator use increased from 3 to 3.1.

The percent of people showing up to emergency rooms with coronavirus-like illnesses last week was 1.4 percent, and this week it is 2.2 percent.

Delaware County’s Interim Physician Advisor Lisa O'Mahony, M.D. provided an update on the county's efforts to tackle the virus Thursday, as well as details on the new Omicron variant.

"The Omicron variant, first identified in South Africa, has become the new focus in the pandemic," she said. "It is too early to know the risks posed by omicron, whether it will be more transmissible or resistant to vaccines. The best defense against this variant are the COVID vaccines currently available."

According to O'Mahony, the region is dealing with the Delta variant.

O'Mahony recommends anyone eligible to get the vaccines and a booster do so.

State data shows 318,343 people have been fully vaccinated in Delaware County as of Thursday. Of those, 68,108 have gotten an additional dose since Aug. 13. Partially vaccinated Delaware County residents total 62,670.

O'Mahony said 70.7 percent of the county's population has gotten at least one dose, 59.2 percent are fully covered, and 11.4 percent are partially covered.

Find where and when to get vaccinated online here.

Delaware County has seen 57,792 confirmed cases of the coronavirus, and 1,530 deaths related to the virus, state data shows as of Friday.