Berks virus uptick is a regional concern

State Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine says the recent uptick in Berks cases is a cause for concern.

Berks County was singled out by the state Department of Health last week, and not in a good way. Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said that a recent uptick in Berks cases of COVID-19 was cause for concern.

She announced that beginning Tuesday, Oct. 13, an outdoor testing clinic will be held in the Front Street parking lot at FirstEnergy Stadium to contain the recent rapid increase in COVID-19 cases.

“Since the beginning of September, we have seen an increase of 1,469 cases in Berks County, which gives us significant cause for concern,” Dr. Levine said. “These testing sites will be open to anyone who feels they need a test. It is important that even people with no symptoms who test positive isolate and quarantine to stop the spread of COVID-19.”

While we welcome the state testing programin the county, we share the concern at the increase in cases that has precipitated this attention.

Weekend reports increased that concern as another 75 coronavirus cases were registered to Berks County on Saturday as the state’s new cases overall exploded to the third highest daily total of the pandemic.

The rise of cases in Berks was at 306 in four days, as of Saturday.

The seven- and 14-day averages for Berks were up to 67 and 50, respectively, returning to numbers of last May. The department has said community spread is to blame for the resurgence of the virus.

An earlier peak was associated with a Kutztown University outbreak, but the recent surge has fewer collegeage victims and is more evenly spread across age groups in Berks and across Pennsylvania, according to the state health department.

Although the state monitors cases by county, health officials also remind Pennsylvanians that COVID-19 does not observe boundaries. In this region in particular, interaction occurs daily among residents of Berks, Chester and Montgomery counties.

Montgomery County Commissioners Chairman Dr. Valerie Arkoosh repeatedly notes that the virus is still with us, and we should not relax hand washing, mask wearing and social distancing. Montgomery

County’s widespread testing has increased contact tracing and helped control the virus spread, but the county protocols can’t control what goes on in bordering towns in other counties.

Meanwhile, Chester County last Thursday launched a new program aimed at assisting local businesses and restaurants by providing financial relief and giving business owners the tools to improve consumer confidence during the pandemic.

Called “Simple Ask: Wear a Mask,” the campaign will directly support local commerce by not only providing funding, but free toolkits including 10,000 masks, signage, and other messaging. The public health campaign was launched during a free flu vaccine clinic that registered and served almost 700 Chester County residents in a socially distanced setting.

Leaders of Chester County’s chambers of commerce were given face masks and signage to distribute to small business employers, including appreciation stickers. Street banners will also be posted in Chester County boroughs and the City of Coatesville with lawn signs displayed at public buildings and major businesses.

“This is the time to double down on our efforts, and Chester County is offering the resources to do it,” said Chester County Commissioner Josh Maxwell.

The oft-repeated coronavirus saying, “we’re in this together” applies to the counties of this region. The importance of wearing masks and social distancing, of testing and tracing, cannot be overemphasized.

We welcome the state’s testing program in Berks because it helps establish the protocols that have been in place to the benefit of public health in other counties. But testing and tracing are only part of the means of stopping the virus’ spread.

The success of beating this virus and keeping down positivity rates depends on individuals’ commitment to wear masks and social distance. Following the rules will push down positivity rates for the entire region, allowing more businesses and schools to safely reopen.

It may sound trite, but the saying is true: We are all in this together.