Bucks County Health Department: The Hard-Won Progress in Defeating COVID-19 Is Slipping Away

Much to the chagrin of the Bucks County Health Department, efforts to defeat COVID-19 are losing ground.

According to county data, the seven-day average from August 1-7 reached 80 new cases per day. This rate represents the highest caseload since mid-May and more than double the cases from late July.

The county noted one death from a coronavirus infection since July 15.

The Bucks County Commissioners ordered all employees and the public to wear masks when entering county buildings and in common areas such as hallways and elevators. County employees who can document their vaccination status are not required to wear masks in their offices or workspaces. 

Bucks County President Judge Wallace H. Bateman, Jr., put out similar guidance for county and district courts. 

According to the CDC’s COVID-19 integrated county view, Bucks County’s test positivity rate has risen to 4.9 percent. Public health experts say anything above 5 percent positivity rate is concerning.  

Bucks County continues to offer free vaccinations to residents 12 years old and older. Full information is on the Bucks County Health Department testing/vaccination information page.