PublicSource has been tracking COVID-19’s spread on a daily basis since March 2020. More than a year later, in an effort to direct our resources into enterprise reporting on the pandemic and other important issues, we will cover the Allegheny County Health Department’s weekly briefing on Wednesdays and update the numbers on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. We may adjust as the prevalence of the coronavirus ebbs and flows. If you have questions or comments, please email PublicSource’s managing editor halle@publicsource.org.
Following trends from the past month, Allegheny County continued to average 350 to 400 new COVID-19 cases per day over the past week, County Health Director Dr. Bogen said at a Wednesday briefing.
“I think we’ve reached a plateau, but we’ve not yet seen a drop in our cases like other parts of the country have,” Bogen said.
Many of the cases reported over the past week spread through social gatherings, including weddings, indoor parties and sporting events.
As of Oct. 13, about 727,000 Allegheny County residents are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, with an additional 74,000 partially vaccinated against the virus.
A majority of the COVID-19-related deaths the county reported over the past week were among individuals who were not fully vaccinated or had underlying health conditions, Bogen said.
“I think this really points out the importance that our older generation should be getting booster vaccines when, and if, eligible,” Bogen added.
More than 43,000 Allegheny County residents have received a COVID-19 vaccine booster dose, County Executive Rich Fitzgerald said.
Bogen advised anyone planning to celebrate Halloween to wear a mask, avoid crowds and practice physical distancing, like by leaving bowls of candy for trick-or-treaters rather than directly handing treats to them.
— By PublicSource intern Amelia Winger
Resources
COVID vaccine resources in the Pittsburgh region
Housing and mental health supports amid COVID in Allegheny County
Allegheny County's map of vaccination sites
(For more information or help with scheduling an appointment through Allegheny County’s Area Agency on Aging, residents can call 412-350-4234.)
