The battle against COVID-19 continues with increases in the number of cases and vaccinations. The 26 new cases in the county raises the total number to 10,195, and the 5,730 new cases in the state raises the total to 1,087,792 since the pandemic began, the Pennsylvania Department of Health reported Wednesday.

Butler Memorial Hospital is treating 20 COVID-19 patients, including two in intensive care. Statewide, 2,541 people are hospitalized, including 530 people in intensive care. The 14-day average number of people hospitalized per day is about 3,700 lower than it was at the peak in December 2020 and lower than what it was at the height of the spring peak in May 2020, but the number is increasing. Most of the patients hospitalized are ages 65 or older, and most of the deaths have occurred in patients 65 or older. About 27,031 cases in the state are among health care workers.

The hospital reported the death of a COVID-19 patient April 12 and the department reported 50 new deaths Wednesday, bringing the statewide total to 25,522.

In licensed nursing and personal care homes, 69,952 residents and 14,513 employees have COVID-19. Of the total deaths in the state, 13,008 have been residents of nursing or personal care facilities.

The health department said a total of 6,600,130 doses of vaccine have been administered, including 4,351,950 first or single doses and 2,488,948 second doses.

In the county, 17,804 people are partially vaccinated and 52,297 are fully vaccinated. The Butler Health System said all residents ages 16 and older can sign up for vaccinations, and should do so because the coronavirus continues to spread in the community.

Appointments can be scheduled at www.butlerhealthsystem.org.

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 Wednesday are:<b>Butler County</b>Confirmed cases: 10,195Probable cases: 5,854Negative tests: 49,995Deaths: 395<b>Butler Memorial Hospital</b>Inpatients: 20Suspected: 1Confirmed: 19ICU: 2Total tests: 44,666Outdoor tests: 17,580Positive tests: 3,297<b>Clarion Hospital</b>Inpatients: 4Suspected: 2Confirmed: 2ICU: 0Total tests: 12,798Outdoor tests: 10,830Positive tests: 2,047<b>Pennsylvania</b>New cases: 5,730Total cases: 1,087,792New deaths: 50Total deaths: 25,522Recovered: 89%<b>Surrounding Counties</b>Allegheny: 70,302 confirmed cases; 390,039 negative; and 1,860 deathsArmstrong: 4,259 confirmed; 16,024 negative; and 122 deathsBeaver: 11,494 confirmed; 48,997 negative; and 362 deathsClarion: 1,871 confirmed; 8,581 negative; and 89 deathsLawrence: 5,082 confirmed; 19,421 negative; and 199 deathsMercer: 6,911 confirmed; 28,829 negative; and 250 deathsVenango: 2,875 confirmed; 11,201 negative; and 90 deathsWestmoreland: 21,215 confirmed; 93,124 negative; and 718 deaths