Cases Rise In Bucks Co. As Philadelphia Mask Mandates Return

BUCKS COUNTY, PA — The number of COVID-19 cases continues to rise in Bucks County, with 562 infections reported last week.

The county’s seven-day average from Aug. 1-7 reached 80 new cases per day on Saturday, the highest it has been since mid-May.

Last week's 562 infections represent a 62 percent increase from the week before, and a 150 percent increase from two weeks ago. Those numbers have not translated to crowded hospitals or rising deaths to date.

One COVID-related death has been reported since July 15. Hospitalizations ticked up to 16 patients in Bucks County by Saturday, with two on ventilators, but that level remains relatively low.

The county's vaccination rate continues to rise slowly, with 82.6 percent of adults in Bucks having received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Public officials continue to encourage unvaccinated people to get the jab, saying it has proven to be the most effective way of avoiding death or serious illness, or spreading the virus to others.

Researchers also believe that lower hospitalization rates may be linked to protection from the vaccine.

Nationally, an even greater upswing continues. New cases have increased nine-fold since early July and hospitalizations related to the virus are at their highest level since February, according to CNN. The rising numbers have been accompanied by some calls for mask mandates and mandatory vaccinations.

The Department of Defense announced plans to require members of the U.S. military to be fully vaccinated against COVID by at least mid-September. The plan is contingent on the vaccine receiving FDA approval or a waiver granted by President Biden, who expressed support for the move.

In New Jersey, Gov. Phil Murphy has ordered masking for all public school students and staff regardless of vaccination status. Murphy also is requiring employees of certain state and private health care facilities to be fully vaccinated by Sept. 7 or to be tested on a regular basis.

New York is requiring vaccination or regular testing of state employees, while New York City residents and visitors must prove their vaccination status in order to enter gyms or dine indoors at restaurants.

Governor Tom Wolf has not made such moves in Pennsylvania. Wolf said there are no plans, at this time, to mandate masking in schools and is instead allowing individual school districts to decide.

Philadelphia has announced it will require masking in public indoor spaces that don't require proof of vaccination, and will require masking in public schools.

The Bucks County Commissioners this week ordered all employees and the public to wear masks when entering county buildings and in common areas such as hallways and elevators. County employees who can document their vaccination status are not required to wear masks in their offices or workspaces.

According to the CDC’s COVID-19 integrated county view, Bucks County’s test positivity rate has risen to 4.9 percent. Public health experts say anything above a 5 percent positivity rate is concerning.

Bucks County continues to offer free vaccinations to anyone age 12 and over from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays at the Neshaminy Mall in Bensalem and Warwick Square in Jamison.

For a full list of vaccine providers in Bucks County and locations where COVID vaccines are being offered, see Bucks County’s Coronavirus Testing/Vaccination Information page.

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Got tips, story ideas, or questions in Lower Bucks County? Email kate.fishman@patch.com.