Uptick in COVID-19 numbers prompts task force to issue vaccines reminder

Randy Griffith, The Tribune-Democrat, Johnstown, Pa.
·2 min read

Oct. 19—JOHNSTOWN, Pa. — Although the state's hospitalizations related to COVID-19 dipped during the last week of September, the weekly total remained near the highest level in six months.

The ongoing, gradual increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations prompted the Cambria/Somerset COVID-19 Task Force to update some recommendations after its first meeting in six months.

All counties in Pennsylvania remain in the low range of new hospitalizations this week, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website shows.

Statewide hospitalizations, however, topped 700 on the week of Sept. 23, the Pennsylvania Department of Health's monthly report showed.

There were 26 new hospitalizations across Cambria, Somerset, Bedford and Blair counties in the most recent week reported by the CDC. That's up 62% from the previous week.

The task force urges area residents to be familiar with the latest vaccine recommendations, referring to the CDC website.

The CDC recommends updated vaccines for all those aged 6 months and older.

Everyone aged 5 years and older should get one dose. Children aged 6 months to 4 years need multiple doses, including at least one dose of the updated vaccine.

People who are moderately or severely immunocompromised may get additional doses of the latest vaccine.

There are several options from various vaccine manufacturers. Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines are mRNA vaccines; the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine is a protein subunit vaccine.

Vaccine locations can be found on the CDC's vaccines.gov website. The site shows that Rite Aid, Giant Eagle, Walmart and CVS pharmacies in Cambria and Somerset counties have vaccines, and the Mainline Pharmacy website shows its locations are also stocked.

Free COVID-19 test kits are available through www.covid.gov/tests.

The task force suggests those aged 50 and older be aware of the prescription drug Paxlovid, which can reduce the severity of COVID-19 illness if taken shortly after symptoms show up. The CDC recommends Paxlovid especially among persons at high risk for progression to severe disease.

Although some patients have reported a return of symptoms, or rebound, after receiving Paxlovid, the CDC reports the symptoms may be part of the natural history of the virus that causes COVID-19.

Case reports suggest that most people with rebound have had mild illness and there are no reports of severe illness.