COVID-19 once again trending downward in Allegheny County

Several indicators show that COVID-19 transmission continues to trend downward in Allegheny County.

For the week of June 16-22, there were 1,648 new infections reported, a decline from 2,015 the week of June 9-15, according to the Allegheny County Health Department. In addition, 66 people were hospitalized this week due to virus-related complications. That compares to last week, when 95 people were in the hospital for COVID-19.

There were six deaths reported this week, down from 16 deaths the previous week. To date, there have been 3,325 virus-related deaths in Allegheny County.

During the third week of June, coronavirus levels in county wastewater also declined between 10% to 20% daily.

Last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lowered Allegheny County’s community level of COVID-19 from “medium” to “low.” The CDC ranks a county’s COVID-19 community level based on case counts, new virus-related hospital admissions and the number of beds in hospitals being used by COVID-19 patients. The county was elevated to “high” on May 26 and went down to “medium” on June 10.

As of June 19, about 73% of county residents ages 5 and older are fully vaccinated, according to Health Department data. On June 17, the Food and Drug Administration authorized the Moderna and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines for kids as young as 6 months.

Vaccines for this age group are now rolling out across the state. Vaccination appointments are available through the Allegheny County Health Department’s Immunization Clinic, located at 425 First Ave., Downtown, on the fourth floor. Pharmacies and pediatricians’ offices in the region also plan to offer the vaccine.