State data attributes three new COVID-19 deaths to the county's total and 48 new cases.

According to Tuesday's report by the Pennsylvania Department of Health, the latest deaths bring the county's death toll to 35. Since the beginning of the pandemic, 1,894 county residents have tested positive for COVID-19.

The three new deaths come just one day after Butler Health System reported four deaths at Butler Memorial Hospital over the weekend. It is still uncertain whether all four patients were county residents, and it is possible for a death in another county to be attributed to Butler County, if that person's permanent residence is listed as such.

The county on Tuesday did not waiver from its trend upward in COVID-19 statistics, a problem shared at the state level too.

On Tuesday, the department reported an increase of 4,361 new confirmed cases, setting yet another record high for the state. Since the beginning of November, the state has seen its record high bumped up five times.

Also Tuesday, the state released its latest flu figures. As of Saturday, the state reported 383 confirmed cases of the flu and one flu-associated death.

In a news release, Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said it is important for people to get their flu vaccine, not only to prevent the illness, but also to help in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We know that people who get the flu after being vaccinated have a less severe case and are not sick as long as those who do not get vaccinated,” Levine said.

Also Tuesday, the department distributed its fifth wave of COVID-19 antigen test kits provided by the federal government.

The shipment of tests went to Armstrong, Dauphin, Delaware and Indiana counties. Butler has yet to receive a shipment of the self-administered antigen test cards that can provide fairly accurate results, short of PCR testing, in about 15 minutes.

“Antigen test cards are a timely, quick and easy-to-use tool for communities to receive rapid COVID-19 testing,” Levine said.