Butler County's Area Agency on Aging received a statewide spotlight by Secretary Robert Torres during a news conference Thursday.

“Butler's story is inspiring and, while it's unique, it's worth sharing as a success story,” Torres said.

Torres shared the many responsibilities the local agency has undertaken, including helping residents, who are age 65 and older, schedule, get to and follow-up on vaccine appointments.

The agency has assisted about 1,200 residents schedule their vaccine appointments, he said.

“As a result of these efforts they have been able to achieve a 0% no show rate, meaning no one has missed their appointment,” Torres said.

As positive news came for Butler County's vaccine distribution, the pandemic claimed one more resident's life, according to Thursday's report by the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

The county also added 34 new confirmed cases of the virus.

The following numbers on the coronavirus pandemic were compiled from regular news releases from the state Department of Health.COVID-19 statistics from Thursday are:<b>Butler County</b>Confirmed cases: 8,620Probable cases: 4,708Negative tests: 44,311Deaths: 350First Doses: 15,935Second Doses: 5,372<b>Pennsylvania</b>New cases: 3,978Total cases: 884,269New deaths: 115Total deaths: 22,860Recovered: 86%First Doses: 1,126,321Second Doses: 335,291<b>Surrounding Counties</b>Allegheny: 57,115 confirmed cases; 346,048 negative; and 1,620 deathsArmstrong: 3,749 confirmed cases; 14,173 negative; and 115 deathsBeaver: 9,764 confirmed cases; 43,300 negative; and 333 deathsClarion: 1,690 confirmed cases; 7,508 negative; and 78 deathsLawrence: 4,365 confirmed cases; 17,263 negative; and 176 deathsMercer: 6,218 confirmed cases; 25,825 negative; and 234 deathsVenango: 2,615 confirmed cases; 10,026 negative; and 78 deathsWestmoreland: 18,306 confirmed cases; 83,802 negative; and 646 deaths