Butler Health System is continuing to encourage people to go to its website to schedule COVID-19 vaccinations for when they become eligible.

State residents in groups 1A and 1B are eligible for vaccinations and can schedule appointments now. Those in group 1C can begin receiving vaccinations Monday and can schedule appointments from that day on, according to BHS

The vaccination clinic at Butler Memorial Hospital is being relocated to the former Sears at the Clearview Mall and will open Wednesday.

Commencing April 19, all residents are eligible for vaccinations and can schedule appointments from that day forward.

Vaccinations can be scheduled at www.butlerhealthsystem.org.

In its COVID-19 update Friday, BHS said the pandemic continues to be a force, and everybody should get vaccinated.

“This cannot be stated strongly enough: The COVID-19 pandemic continues, everything you know about safe practices still holds and vaccine saves lives,” BHS noted. “Encourage family, friends, coworkers and neighbors to get vaccinated.”

The BHS COVID-19 update says two people died on Thursday and 23 people are being treated, including three in intensive care,

Statewide, the moving average number of people hospitalized per day with COVID-19 is increasing, even though it is about 4,000 lower than it was at the peak of the virus in December 2020 and lower than was at the height of the spring peak last May, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

There are 2,451 people hospitalized with COVID-19, including 517 in intensive care. Most of the patients hospitalized are ages 65 or older, and most of the deaths have occurred in patients 65 or older, according to the department.

In the county, 53 new cases reported Friday increases the total to 10,069 since the beginning of the pandemic. No new deaths were reported.

Across the state, 5,048 new, positive cases increases the statewide total to 1,064,092 and 35 new deaths brings the total to 25,362.

About 26,829 of the cases in the state are among health care workers.

In licensed nursing and personal care homes, 69,750 residents and 14,440 employees have COVID-19. Of the deaths reported in the state, 12,983 have been residents of nursing or personal care facilities.

A total of 6,055,844 doses of vaccine have been administered, including 4,017,045 first and single doses and 2,038,799 second doses.

In the county, 17,826 people are partially vaccinated and 48,628 people are fully vaccinated.

The following numbers on the coronavirus pandemic were compiled from regular news releases from the state Department of Health and the Butler Health System.COVID-19 statistics from Friday are:<b>Butler County</b>Confirmed cases: 10,069Probable cases: 5,728Negative tests: 49,668Deaths: 389<b>Butler Memorial Hospital</b>Inpatients: 23Suspected: 1Confirmed: 22ICU: 3Total tests: 44,151Outdoor tests: 17,482Positive tests: 3,185<b>Clarion Hospital</b>Inpatients: 1Suspected: 0Confirmed: 1ICU: 1Total tests: 12,707Outdoor tests: 10,749Positive tests: 2,021<b>Pennsylvania</b>New cases: 5,048Total cases: 1,064,092New deaths: 35Total deaths: 25,362Recovered: 90 percent<b>Surrounding Counties</b>Allegheny: 68,925 confirmed cases; 386,865 negative; and 1,838 deathsArmstrong: 4,187 confirmed; 15,913 negative; and 120 deathsBeaver: 11,303 confirmed; 48,574 negative; and 361 deathsClarion: 1,841 confirmed; 8,456 negative; and 88 deathsLawrence: 5,020 confirmed; 19,308 negative; and 198 deathsMercer: 6,827 confirmed; 28,622 negative; and 250 deathsVenango: 2,856 confirmed; 11,111 negative; and 90 deathsWestmoreland: 20,869 confirmed; 92,360 negative; and 712 deaths