The Pennsylvania Department of Health reported 9,143 additional positive cases of COVID-19 Thursday, the highest daily number since last winter.

Schuylkill County is leading the region, with a positivity rate of COVID-19 at 22.8%, higher than all of the counties surrounding it.

A review of Pennsylvania Department of Health data from Nov. 19 to Nov. 25 shows Carbon at 15.1%; Monroe at 16.2%; Lehigh with 14.4%; and Northampton at 13.4%.

All are higher than the statewide average at 12.1%.

William Reppy, president of Lehigh Valley Hospital-Schuylkill, didn’t know why the rate in the county was higher but urged residents to protect themselves from COVID-19.

“Please get vaccinated. We know the vaccines save lives,” he said.

Getting the vaccine means you are less likely to get very ill, Reppy said.

As of Tuesday, 28 COVID-19 patients were at Lehigh Valley-Schuylkill East Norwegian Street. None of those admitted are on a ventilator, Reppy said.

During the height of the pandemic, about 50 patients were being cared for. Age range varies.

A vast majority of those with COVID are not vaccinated, Reppy said.

“It’s a very serious disease,” he said.

Sam Kennedy, director of corporate communications for St. Luke’s University Health Network, said there are 192 COVID inpatients in the network’s 12 hospitals, a number twice what they had two weeks ago.

“We have seen a noticeable jump post-Thanksgiving. The unvaccinated account for 85 percent of inpatient COVID cases,” he said in an email.

As of Friday morning, the omicron variant has been detected in at least five U.S. states. The World Health Organization named the variant one of concern.

President Joe Biden held a press conference Thursday about COVID-19. He announced an action plan to battle the virus that includes more booster shots, new family vaccination clinics, and other efforts.

“I know COVID-19 has been very divisive in this country. It’s become a political issue, which is a sad, sad commentary. It shouldn’t be, but it has been,” Biden said.

Case counts

In Pennsylvania, there are 1,444,667 confirmed cases and 33,649 deaths, according to the COVID-19 Dashboard as of Thursday.

So far, 511 people have died in Schuylkill County; 215 in Carbon; 967 in Lehigh; 821 in Northampton; and 383 in Monroe.

To date, there have been 22,671 cases in Schuylkill of which 20,029 are confirmed. In Carbon data shows 10,146 cases and 9,756 confirmed. Lehigh has 53,487 cases and 50,549 confirmed. Northampton has 48,992 and 45,553 confirmed. Total cases in Monroe are 22,023 with 21,383 confirmed.

The population of vaccinated individuals varies by county.

Vaccines are available throughout the region at pharmacies and hospital clinics.

Those seeking vaccinations in Schuylkill can visit Lehigh Valley Hospital-Schuylkill East Norwegian Street from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesdays and 8 a.m. to noon Wednesdays.

An appointment is required.

All three vaccines and booster shots are given, Reppy said. Those 5 years and older are eligible.

Anyone under 18 must have a parent or guardian sign a form for permission to receive the vaccine.

To schedule an appointment, call 1-833-584-6283 or my LVHN.org/vaccines.

Contact St. Luke’s at 1-866-785-8537, call your primary care provider or pediatrician or sign up for St. Luke’s MyChart.

More information is available on slhn.org