The next phase of the pandemic — one with no restrictions save for masks — could be the last phase if people continue to get vaccinated throughout the summer, officials said Wednesday.
“Now with the impending lifting of mitigation orders — except the masking order — we are entering a new phase of the pandemic,” said Dr. Debra Bogen, Allegheny County’s health director. “If everyone is vaccinated by the end of the summer, this could be our last phase of the pandemic.”
Bogen’s message came on the heels of an announcement Wednesday by Gov. Tom Wolf that 70% of Pennsylvania adults have received at least one dose of a covid vaccine. This means the state could hit the bar to lift the mask mandate within the next month.
“Today, we hit a significant milestone in our fight against the covid-19 pandemic,” Wolf said. “The light is shining bright at the end of this tunnel, but we must continue to stay the course.”
Wolf earlier this month said he would lift the state’s mask mandate when 70% of Pennsylvania adults are fully vaccinated.
As of Wednesday, about 52.7% of residents 18 and older have been fully vaccinated.
The two-dose vaccines available require several weeks between the first and second dose. For the Pfizer vaccine, it is three weeks. For Moderna, there is a four-week span. Both vaccines will still be effective so long as the second dose is given within 42 days.
“I encourage everyone to show up for their second vaccine appointment and take pride in doing your part to help protect individuals who are unable to get vaccinated,” Wolf said.
In Allegheny County, about 750,000 residents have received at least one dose of the vaccine — about 75% of the adult population, said County Executive Rich Fitzgerald.
“Case numbers are down, vaccination numbers are up,” Fitzgerald said. “As we head into the summer season with Memorial Day weekend coming upon us, I think the governor has certainly made the right call in lifting all the restrictions — with the exception of mask-wearing — at the end of the week.”
The county reported 87 new cases Wednesday, the fifth consecutive day with a new case count below 100. Bogen said the rolling daily average is at a rate not seen since September.
“While I am in a place where dropping mitigation orders is possible, I urge everyone to continue to make wise decisions,” she said. “Outbreaks continue to trace back to high-risk events like indoor parties, sporting events and other gatherings where attendees do not wear masks or physically distance.”
With case counts continuing to fall, Bogen said, her weekly briefings will change to every other week after June 2. Alerts on new case counts, which go out six days a week, will change to three days a week starting in June. They will come on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
