PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — As Pennsylvania works to straighten out issues with its vaccine administration, there's some good news regarding COVID-19 case counts.
Statewide, the positivity rate of COVID-19 tests is at 6.5%. That isn't quite at a level of suppression under 5%, but it is much lower than mid-December, at over 16%.
According to the state dashboard, Montgomery County's 7-day average of new cases is 118, down from 178 the week before, and the positivity rate is down to 5.8%. County Commissioner Dr. Val Arkoosh said there were two days in Montgomery County where the single-day rate dipped under 5%.
"The last time we were below 5% was November 4, so this is great news," she said. "Hopefully this trend will continue in the weeks to come."
Arkoosh said masks and distancing are still important to keep spread low. There are still more than 160 people hospitalized in the county, but that's down more than 30% from the week before.
However, Arkoosh also said the county is seeing a decline in the total number of coronavirus tests. "I do want to really urge people to be tested. This is our best way to keep a handle of what's going on in the county," she urged.
Bucks County reported their seven-day average of new cases, 132, is the lowest it's been since November 11.
According to Pennsylvania's COVID-19 dashboard, Chester County's positivity rate is at 5.6%, while Delaware County is 6%.
