Not since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic have Bucks County new-infection rates been so low. The good news comes from the Pennsylvania Department of Health via a Bucks County press statement. 

The county reported just 116 new infections for the week of June 6. That’s 90 percent lower than the level reported as recently as May 1. 

New cases have registered in single digits for three of the past five days.  

The number of COVID-infected patients in Bucks County hospitals fell to 13 last week, including four patients on ventilators — the fewest hospitalizations since early November. 

Deaths attributed to COVID are still occurring in Bucks — 41 in May, seven so far in June — but at a much lower rate than earlier in the pandemic. 

Bucks County health officials are continuing to push for higher vaccination rates. 

“Even though the overall hospitalization numbers are way down, the people who are still getting very sick are almost all unvaccinated,” said Dr. David Damsker, director of the Bucks County Health Department. “Anyone who is older, immunosuppressed, obese or otherwise at higher risk of disease, absolutely needs to get vaccinated. In those risk categories, there shouldn’t be a debate.” 

This Saturday’s Bristol Waterfront Juneteenth Celebration features a pop-up vaccination clinic.

The county’s other four permanent vaccination sites — Bucks County Community College Perkasie and Newtown, Neshaminy Mall, and Warwick Square shopping center — remain open Tuesdays-Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.