Bucks Co. COVID Cases Drop Below Milestone Number

BUCKS COUNTY, PA — The seven-day average for new coronavirus cases in Bucks County has dropped below 200 for the first time in five weeks.

At the end of the day Tuesday, the county's seven-day average for new COVID cases sat at 196, the Bucks County Health Department announced. That's a move in the right direction after a surge in cases that hit Bucks, Pennsylvania and much of the nation.

There were 182 new cases reported in the county on Tuesday, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

Deaths related to COVID-19, however, continued at a sad pace. The pandemic's death toll sat at 60 for April, with several days to go. By comparison, there were 47 coronavirus deaths in Bucks County in all of March.

Throughout the pandemic, trends in deaths and hospitalizations have tended to trail trends in case numbers by a couple of weeks.

In all, 1,245 deaths from COVID-19 have been reported in Bucks County since the pandemic began.

Bucks County's COVID vaccination program also hit a significant milestone. By the end of the day Tuesday, more than 400,000 doses of vaccine had been given in the county — fully vaccinating 160,931 people and partially vaccinating another 95,595.

That, county officials noted, is equivalent to more than half — 51 percent — of Bucks County's adult population.

Bucks County health officials announced that, as of Wednesday, residents may walk in to any of the county's five public vaccination clinics to get a shot without an appointment.

Those who would still like to make an appointment at a Bucks County vaccine site may do so online.

While an appointment is no longer necessary, officials said preference will be given to patients who are scheduled for a vaccination. Those who get the Pfizer vaccine will be asked to schedule an appointment for their second dose.