COVID-19 UPDATE 1/4: Local hospitalization remains high; 14 more deaths since Dec. 30

By Nathan Bottiger Eagle Staff Writer

January 04, 2021 Last Updated: January 04, 2021 03:10 PM Digital Media Exclusive

Hospitalization levels remained high at both Butler Memorial and Clarion hospitals through the new year.

According to a report Monday, 14 inpatients at Butler Memorial have died since Butler Health System's last report Dec. 30.

On Monday, Butler Memorial was treating 59 inpatients, six fewer than last week's report; however its intensive care unit use rose from seven to 11 beds.

Clarion Hospital also reported increases in both hospitalizations and ICU use. On Monday, Clarion reported 18 inpatients, an increase of nine from last week's report. Clarion also reported one death since Dec. 30 and an increase of three beds used in the ICU, which now stands at five.

The county's COVID-19 data appeared to be in flux through the weekend, but state Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said the sudden drop in case counts and deaths could be attributed to system maintenance and lags in reporting from the holiday.

“The case counts reported Sunday and today are abnormally low as a result, and we believe they may be somewhat higher than normal tomorrow,” said Levine in a news conference Monday.

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Health's reports for Sunday and Monday, the county added no cases Sunday and 124 on Monday. The county also recorded no deaths Sunday and two on Monday.

The temporary decreases also showed in statewide data which saw its lowest new additions in many weeks.

On Sunday, 4,579 new confirmed cases were added, and 3,226 new cases were added Monday.

Also in the news conference, Levine provided updates on the status of vaccine distribution, which she said remains in Phase 1A. She said the Department of Health is planning for Phase 1B, but does not have a timeline for its start.

“We're not there yet, and those discussions are happening right now,” Levine said.

As of Sunday, 135,044 Pennsylvanians have been vaccinated for COVID-19.

The following numbers on the coronavirus pandemic were compiled from regular news releases from the state Department of Health and Butler Health System.COVID-19 statistics from Sunday and Monday are:Butler CountyConfirmed cases: 6,634Probable cases: 3,216Negative tests: 39,458Deaths: 204Butler Memorial HospitalInpatients: 59Suspected: 0Confirmed: 59ICU: 11Total tests: 33,555Outdoor tests: 14,015Positive tests: 1,948Clarion HospitalInpatients: 18Suspected: 1Confirmed: 17ICU: 5Total tests: 10,529Outdoor tests: 8,889Positive tests: 1,593PennsylvaniaNew cases: 7,805Total cases: 665,097New deaths: 122Total deaths: 16,361Recovered: 70Surrounding CountiesAllegheny: 45,844 confirmed cases; 305,985 negative; and 1,055 deathsArmstrong: 2,912 confirmed cases ;12,577 negative; and 72 deathsBeaver: 7,630 confirmed cases; 38,022 negative; and 260 deathsClarion: 1,416 confirmed cases; 6,345 negative; and 47 deathsLawrence: 3,479 confirmed cases; 14,714 negative; and 130 deathsMercer: 5,126 confirmed cases; 22,420 negative; and 147 deathsVenango: 2,086 confirmed cases; 8,734 negative; and 48 deathsWestmoreland: 15,045 confirmed cases; 74,198 negative; and 435 deaths.