On Wednesday, Allegheny County reported nearly 500 new coronavirus cases.
Case counts have been increasing over the past several weeks, and the last time the county’s daily case counts were at this level was in January.
But officials also announced that the age eligibility for vaccinations at county-run clinics would expand to include people as young as 16, provided they have certain medical risks.
Several factors are probably driving the increase in coronavirus infections, including the more infectious B.1.1.7 variant—also known as the UK variant. The county’s health department reports that there are 33 confirmed cases of B.1.1.7. But department director Dr. Debra Bogen says this is probably “just the tip of the iceberg.”
“Fewer than 1% of cases undergo genotyping to determine variant status,” said Bogen. “The UK variant is estimated to be about 50% more transmissible, and somewhat more likely to result in hospitalizations.”
In addition to this more transmissible variant, Bogen said case investigations have found that people are becoming more likely to gather in larger groups, and to eschew masks. Investigations also found some cases tied to St. Patrick's Day parties.
While cases are rising, the median age of people recently infected the coronavirus has fallen by nearly a decade in the past few weeks—and is now in the low 30s. A similar pattern was seen last summer.
Bogen attributes this shift to the fact that roughly two-thirds of county residents who are 65 and older have received the COVID-19 vaccine.
For this reason, the health department has dropped any age requirement to receive a COVID-19 vaccination through the county-run clinics, provided people have a health risk listed on the state’s phase 1A medical eligibility requirements. Previously the county was only vaccinating people aged 50 or older.
Now people as young as 16 can get vaccinated, though they are only eligible for Pfizer shots. The Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are not approved for those under 18.*
Currently the county has vaccination sites in Castle Shannon, as well as Oakland and the Hill District. There are reportedly plans to open clinics in the Mon Valley and the western part of the county.
*An earlier version of this story misstated the age range for the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines.
