After decline, new COVID cases skyrocket in Tri-State; 25 die from illness last week

Staff Report
·5 min read

The number of new reported cases of coronavirus in the Tri-State area surged last week after nearly a month of declines, a USA TODAY Network analysis of Johns Hopkins University data shows.

Almost every county in the area showed a double-digit increase in new cases of the virus that causes COVID-19. Franklin County, Pa., reported an almost 95.2% spike. Neighboring but less populated Fulton County, Pa., recorded a 98.4% jump.

"This is definitely the time of year where we see a rise in various communicable diseases such as the flu and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus)," Danielle Stahl, spokeswoman for the Washington County Health Department, said in an email Monday. "As people congregate indoors for holidays and colder weather, viruses can more easily spread including COVID-19."

Meanwhile, the number of deaths in the region attributed to the coronavirus is slowly trending downward. There were 25 last week, according the Johns Hopkins data. That number was 27 the week prior and 28 the week before that.

The decrease in deaths tracks with a decrease in the number of reported COVID-19 cases in the early fall after a jump in late summer.

The number of people vaccinated in the region continues to lag other areas of Maryland (78.1%), Pennsylvania (71.2%) and West Virginia (47.3%), according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Washington County, Md., continues to lead the area, with 61.7% of the population 12 and older fully vaccinated.

"Though we are seeing a rise in our case rate, our vaccination rate continues (to) rise," Stahl said. "The health department is providing several COVID-19 vaccine clinics in the community and in areas with low vaccination rates."

However, the CDC number does not take into account those ages 5 to 11, who were recently allowed to receive the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine on emergency approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Doses of that vaccine must be taken three weeks apart, and the first doses were administered in the area Nov. 6.

The health department started working with Washington County Public Schools to offer vaccination clinics to youths in elementary school buildings. And mobile vaccination clinics continue to be offered in Washington County through the county health department and Meritus Health.

"We encourage everyone who is eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine and speak with their health care provider about any concerns," Stahl said.

Loosened restrictions: Meritus allows COVID patients to have family visitors

Last week's numbers: 27 COVID deaths in Tri-State last week; nearly 300 children vaccinated in 1 day by Meritus

Notable cases: Another Washington County commissioner tests positive for COVID-19

By the numbers

Here's a breakdown of COVID-19 statistics from each county in the Tri-State area:

Washington County

  • New cases reported in the week that ended Sunday: 445

  • New cases reported during the week that ended Nov. 7: 351

  • Percent increase: 26.8%

  • The county has recorded 20,559 cases and 418 deaths during the pandemic.

  • Percent of population 12 and older fully vaccinated as of Saturday: 61.7%

  • Percent of population 12 and older fully vaccinated as of Nov. 6: 61.4%

  • Level of community transmission: High

Franklin County, Pa.

  • New cases reported in the week that ended Sunday: 648

  • New cases reported during the week that ended Nov. 7: 332

  • Percent increase: 95.2%

  • The county has recorded 22,884 cases and 476 deaths during the pandemic.

  • Percent of population 12 and older fully vaccinated as of Saturday: 54.4%

  • Percent of population 12 and older fully vaccinated as of Nov. 6: 53.9%

  • Level of community transmission: High

Fulton County, Pa.

  • New cases reported in the week that ended Sunday: 127

  • New cases reported during the week that ended Nov. 7: 64

  • Percent increase: 98.4%

  • The county has recorded 2,457 cases and 34 deaths during the pandemic.

  • Percent of population 12 and older fully vaccinated as of Saturday: 36.8%

  • Percent of population 12 and older fully vaccinated as of Nov. 6: 36.4%

  • Level of community transmission: High

Berkeley County, W.Va.

  • New cases reported in the week that ended Sunday: 410

  • New cases reported during the week that ended Nov. 7: 270

  • Percent increase: 51.9%

  • The county has recorded 19,395 cases and 189 deaths during the pandemic.

  • Percent of population 12 and older fully vaccinated as of Saturday: 36.7%

  • Percent of population 12 and older fully vaccinated as of Nov. 6: 36.5%

  • Level of community transmission: High

Jefferson County, W.Va.

  • New cases reported in the week that ended Sunday: 153

  • New cases reported during the week that ended Nov. 7: 84

  • Percent increase: 82.1%

  • The county has recorded 7,065 cases and 89 deaths during the pandemic.

  • Percent of population 12 and older fully vaccinated as of Saturday: 37.1%

  • Percent of population 12 and older fully vaccinated as of Nov. 6: 37%

  • Level of community transmission: High

Morgan County, W.Va.

  • New cases reported in the week that ended Sunday: 32

  • New cases reported during the week that ended Nov. 7: 52

  • Percent decrease: 38.5%

  • The county has recorded 2,203 cases and 47 deaths during the pandemic.

  • Percent of population 12 and older fully vaccinated as of Saturday: 32.2%

  • Percent of population 12 and older fully vaccinated as of Nov. 6: 32.2%

  • Level of community transmission: High

Herald-Mail news director Joseph Deinlein and USA Today Network reporter Mike Stucka contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: Percent of new COVID cases soar in Tri-State; 25 die last week