Number of new COVID-19 cases reported falls steeply
Fewer new cases of COVID-19 are being reported across the Tri-State area as the region appears to be emerging from a surge in cases that started in late December. While local positivity rates are lower than during the peak of the surge, they remain high relative to rates from before the surge.
A USA TODAY Network analysis of Johns Hopkins University and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data for the week ending Sunday shows an overall decrease in the number of new cases of the virus that causes COVID-19.
For instance, Washington County saw a decrease of 44.3% over the number of cases reported compared to reports for the week ending Feb. 6.
But the county's positivity rate — the rolling seven-day average of positive tests found among all the tests administered — was 11.21% as of Monday. The statewide positivity rate for Maryland was 3.77% as of Monday.
Still Washington County's positivity rate is vastly improved from when it was over 30% in the middle of January, according to statistics maintained by the state Department of Health.
The statistics might not reflect every positive COVID-19 case in the Tri-State area, since there's a chance those who used an at-home rapid test did not report results to state health departments.
Last week's numbers: Fewer new COVID cases reported across Tri-State area
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As with previous surges during the pandemic, the death toll is mirroring a spike in infections, just several weeks after the fact. Forty-four deaths last week were attributed to the virus across the region.
The week prior it was 40.
While the numbers overall are encouraging, health officials are still asking folks to take precautions to prevent the spread of the deadly disease that has claimed more than 918,000 Americans.
"As we see cases decline, we urge everyone to continue to practice effective safety measures like wearing a mask, washing your hands, getting tested and getting vaccinated," said Danielle Stahl, Washington County Health Department public information officer. "We must continue to use every tool available, especially vaccines, which have been found safe and effective at preventing severe illness and hospitalization. We can't stress enough the importance of getting your vaccine and booster dose."
The health department is offering free vaccines and booster doses at clinics across the county, along with Meritus Health. For more information, visit www.washco-md.net/coronavirus-info/vaccine, or call 240-313-2776.
Here's a closer look at the Tri-State area's COVID-19 statistics:
Washington County
New cases reported in the week that ended Sunday: 277
New cases reported during the week that ended Feb. 6: 497
Percent decrease: 44.3%
Positivity rate as of Monday: 11.21%
Number of deaths reported in the past week: 17
Number of deaths in the week that ended Feb. 6: 9
The county has recorded 33,454 cases and 552 deaths during the pandemic.
Percent of county population fully vaccinated as of Monday: 58.3%
Percent of Marylanders fully vaccinated as of Monday: 73.4%
Franklin County, Pa.
New cases reported in the week that ended Sunday: 432
New cases reported during the week that ended Feb. 6: 767
Percent decrease: 43.7%
Positivity rate as of Monday: 13.51%
Number of deaths reported in the past week: 13
Number of deaths in the week that ended Feb. 6: 18
The county has recorded 39,599 cases and 648 deaths during the pandemic.
Percent of county population fully vaccinated as of Monday: 48.2%
Percent of Pennsylvanians fully vaccinated as of Monday: 66.5%
Fulton County, Pa.
New cases reported in the week that ended Sunday: 55
New cases reported during the week that ended Feb. 6: 77
Percent decrease: 28.6%
Positivity rate as of Monday: 14.29%
Number of deaths reported in the past week: 2
Number of deaths in the week that ended Feb. 6: 2
The county has recorded 3,992 cases and 62 deaths during the pandemic.
Percent of county population fully vaccinated as of Monday: 35.2%
Percent of Pennsylvanians fully vaccinated as of Monday: 66.5%
Berkeley County, W.Va.
New cases reported in the week that ended Sunday: 414
New cases reported during the week that ended Feb. 6: 604
Percent decrease: 31.5%
Positivity rate as of Monday: 17.19%
Number of deaths reported in the past week: 4
Number of deaths in the week that ended Feb. 6: 6
The county has recorded 34,782 cases and 251 deaths during the pandemic.
Percent of county population fully vaccinated as of Monday: 53.6%
Percent of West Virginians fully vaccinated as of Monday: 56.5%
Jefferson County, W.Va.
New cases reported in the week that ended Sunday: 158
New cases reported during the week that ended Feb. 6: 267
Percent decrease: 40.8%
Positivity rate as of Monday: 15.07%
Number of deaths reported in the past week: 5
Number of deaths in the week that ended Feb. 6: 4
The county has recorded 13,869 cases and 122 deaths during the pandemic.
Percent of county population fully vaccinated as of Monday: 61.9%
Percent of West Virginians fully vaccinated as of Monday: 56.5%
Morgan County, W.Va.
New cases reported in the week that ended Sunday: 57
New cases reported during the week that ended Feb. 6: 100
Percent decrease: 43%
Positivity rate as of Monday: 15.33%
Number of deaths reported in the past week: 3
Number of deaths in the week that ended Feb. 6: 1
The county has recorded 4,132 cases and 62 deaths during the pandemic.
Percent of county population fully vaccinated as of Monday: 39.9%
Percent of West Virginians fully vaccinated as of Monday: 56.5%
Herald-Mail News Director Joseph Deinlein and USA TODAY Network reporter Mike Stucka contributed to this story.
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: Washington County reported 277 additional COVID-19 cases in last week
