Bucks Co. Gives COVID Update: Cases Down Slightly

BUCKS COUNTY, PA — The number of new coronavirus cases in Bucks County ticked slightly downward last week — the first time that number has dropped in over a month.

The Bucks County Department of Health reported 257 new infections last week, an average of 37 per day. That was nine fewer cases than were reported during the week of July 12-18.

Last week's number was still more than double the number of cases reported in Bucks County during the third week of June, when numbers began edging upward.

Dr. David Damsker, the director of Bucks County' health department, said last week's dip may be a sign that a local spike in cases after the July 4 holiday may have topped out.

"We said all along that we’d hit this small increase heading into green, with everyone being fully out and about," Damsker said. "Most importantly, hospitalization rates have remained low."

On Monday, 23 Bucks County residents remained hospitalized with the coronavirus, with just three of them in critical condition and on ventilators. That's in sharp contrast to many parts of the country, where hospitalizations have risen and are forecast to continue rising.

COVID deaths also have remained low in Bucks County. There have been just two reported in July, with the most recent death happening on July 11.

The number of coronavirus cases in Bucks County dipped as numbers continued to rise in other parts of Pennsylvania.

"We need to recommit to the simple measures of mask-wearing and social distancing to stop the spread and go back to more freedoms," Gov. Tom Wolf said on Friday.

Pennsylvania reported 839 new positive cases on Monday, with a 4.7 percent positivity rate, up from 4.4 percent last week.

There are now 14 counties with a "concerning" positivity level across Pennsylvania, state officials said — up from 10 last week.

Bucks County now has had 6,325 residents test positive for COVID-19 during the pandemic — about one percent of the total population. A total of 512 deaths have been attributed to the virus, including 410 long-term care residents. A total of 5,039 people have been confirmed to have recovered.

The median age of those who have been infected in Bucks is 53, while the median age of death is 82.