COVID-19 continues to claim lives of county residents despite recent decreases in case numbers.

The deaths of five more residents were reported Wednesday by the Pennsylvania Department of Health. On average about three to four people have died daily since November.

The report also showed the county added 36 confirmed cases Wednesday, which shows a continued decrease from earlier this month.

So far in January, the county has averaged about 65 confirmed cases per day. In the last week, the county has added about 34 confirmed cases per day on average.

Meanwhile hospitalizations in the county also remained steady.

Butler Memorial Hospital reported 31 inpatients being treated for COVID-19, five of whom are being treated in the intensive care unit.

Butler Memorial has not seen any new deaths since its report Monday, when it announced four deaths over the weekend.

According to Butler Health System, scheduling requests for the COVID-19 vaccine are still suspended until more doses arrive. BHS officials also noted that when scheduling re-opens, its hospitals will continue limiting vaccinations to health care workers and people age 75 or older.

“BHS is working closely with Butler County Human Services to assist scheduling elderly, those individuals who are at high risk, and those who may not have access to the internet,” said BHS spokeswoman Melissa Forster.

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 Wednesday are:<b>Butler County</b>Confirmed cases: 8142Probable cases: 4347Negative tests: 42575Deaths: 317<b>Butler Memorial Hospital</b>Inpatients: 31Suspected: 0Confirmed: 31ICU: 5Total tests: 36,932Outdoor tests: 15,504Positive tests: 2,463<b>Clarion Hospital</b>Inpatients: 1Suspected: 0Confirmed: 1ICU: 0Total tests: 11,295Outdoor tests: 9,557Positive tests: 1,788<b>Pennsylvania</b>New cases: 5,874Total cases: 818,369New deaths: 222Total deaths: 21,105Recovered: 80%<b>Surrounding Counties</b>Allegheny: 54,046 confirmed cases; 332,469 negative; and 1,471 deathsArmstrong: 3,594 confirmed cases; 13,548 negative; and 106 deathsBeaver: 9,176 confirmed cases; 41,635 negative; and 314 deathsClarion: 1,607 confirmed cases; 6,948 negative; and 72 deathsLawrence: 4,133 confirmed cases; 16,443 negative; and 163 deathsMercer: 5,930 confirmed cases; 24,547 negative; and 215 deathsVenango: 2,481 confirmed cases; 9,580 negative; and 74 deathsWestmoreland: 17,602 confirmed cases; 80,268 negative; and 579 deaths