Allegheny COVID-19 cases remain steady

The Allegheny County Health Department reported Wednesday that there were 678 new COVID19 cases for the week of Nov. 17-22. This represents a slight uptick from last week’s 666 cases, but a general downward trend from earlier this fall, when the county was reporting around 1,100 cases weekly.

The county also reported 71 hospitalizations and eight deaths this week, down from last week’s 85 hospitalizations and 12 deaths.

“The Allegheny County Health Department recommends residents make smart decisions to protect themselves and their loved ones when gathering and traveling during the holiday season,” said Jennifer Fiddner, epidemiology supervisor at the Health Department.

“Residents should avoid people who are sick, wear a highquality mask over the nose and mouth when in public spaces or on public transportation, consider getting tested for COVID-19 before travel, and staying home if they are sick,” she added. “Doing so will help protect themselves from COVID-19, as well as other respiratory illness like the flu and RSV.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the COVID-19 community level in Allegheny County is “low.”

But as respiratory viruses continue to surge and local hospitals experience hourslong wait times from a spike in flu and RSV infections, health experts still urge residents to stay up to date on their vaccinations by getting the new bivalent booster and a flu shot, which can be given concurrently. The Washington Post reported on Wednesday that while vaccinated patients are making up more COVID19 related deaths, unvaccinated individuals are still eight times more likely to die of COVID-19 than someone who has received a booster shot.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, who is retiring next month as the nation’s top infectious disease expert, on Tuesday urged Americans to get the recently authorized bivalent boosters.

“The final message I give you from this podium is that please, for your own safety, for that of your family, get your updated COVID-19 shot as soon as you’re eligible,” he said.

People can get their immunizations at their local pharmacy, health care provider or at the county’s Immunization Clinic in downtown Pittsburgh.