After four COVID-19 deaths over the weekend and more hospitalizations, Butler Health System officials are calling on the community to help stop the spread of the virus.

Hospitalization rates have increased statewide, but Butler County's numbers have jumped significantly in recent weeks, shown again in Butler Health System's update Monday.

“The area is experiencing its highest incidence of COVID-19 cases since the beginning of the pandemic,” said BHS spokeswoman Jana Panther in a message to the community. “There is spread of the virus in the community.”

Butler Memorial Hospital reported two COVID-19 deaths on Saturday and two on Sunday. It was not immediately clear if any of the deaths were county residents, which would impact the county's COVID-19 data with the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

Also, the hospital reported treating 26 inpatients for COVID-19 symptoms with 20 of them having confirmed cases of the virus. Four of the hospitalized patients are being treated in the intensive care unit.

In her message Monday, Jana Panther urged residence to do their part to prevent further community spread of the disease.

She said residents should avoid large gatherings and events; avoid close contact with anyone who is sick or has symptoms; practice proper hygiene; and stay home if sick.

According to the COVID-19 Early Warning Monitoring System Dashboard, Butler County's incident rate, which is the number of cases per 100,000 residents, was 111.2 from Oct. 30 to Thursday, an increase of 28.7 from the week before.

The county also saw a new confirmed case tally of 209, an increase of 54 from the week before, and a PCR testing positivity rate of 8.1%, an increase from 6.2% the week before.

This is a breaking news report — read more in Tuesday's Butler Eagle or subscribe online.