By Nathan Bottiger

Eagle Staff Writer

Thursday brought Butler County's 11th straight day recording at least one COVID-19 death, the same day state officials announced using pharmacists in future vaccine distributions.

According to Thursday's report by the Pennsylvania Department of Health, six more Butler County residents died because of COVID-19, and 58 more residents were listed as new confirmed cases.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, 7,486 residents have tested positive for COVID-19 and 271 residents have died because of the virus.

According to the report, 7,175 new confirmed cases were added statewide Thursday, along with the deaths of 313 residents.

As the pandemic continues, state officials have focused on the distribution of two federally-approved vaccines produced by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna.

“We are working on ways to increase access to the vaccine, and pharmacists already play an important role in making sure Pennsylvanians are protected,” said Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine in a joint news release Thursday with the Department of State.

The following numbers on the coronavirus pandemic were compiled from regular news releases from the state Department of Health.Butler CountyConfirmed cases: 7,486Probable cases: 3,852Negative tests: 40,791Deaths: 271PennsylvaniaNew cases: 7,175Total cases: 748,564New deaths: 313Total deaths: 18,742Recovered: 76%Surrounding CountiesAllegheny: 50,375 confirmed cases; 371,710 negative; and 1,277 deathsArmstrong: 3,339 confirmed cases; 13,003 negative; and 87 deathsBeaver: 8,506 confirmed cases; 39,705 negative; and 288 deathsClarion: 1,514 confirmed cases; 6,546 negative; and 55 deathsLawrence: 3,845 confirmed cases; 15,447 negative; and 143 deathsMercer: 5,580 confirmed cases; 23,513 negative; and 182 deathsVenango: 2,339 confirmed cases; 9,091 negative; and 59 deathsWestmoreland: 16,580 confirmed cases; 77,015 negative; and 516 deaths.