Butler Health System reports highest ever inpatient totals while Butler County received a reprieve from COVID-19 deaths Friday.

“The increase in cases across the region and in our hospitals continues to be of great concern,” said Ken DeFurio, CEO and president of BHS.

After some fluctuation in the past week, Butler Health System reported record highs for COVID-19 inpatients at both Butler Memorial Hospital and Clarion Hospital.

On Friday, Butler Memorial reported an inpatient population of 38 with 35 of those having confirmed cases and the remaining three awaiting test results. Seven of the inpatients are being treated in the intensive care unit.

Clarion Hospital, which has remained largely in the single-digits of inpatients throughout the pandemic, reported 19 inpatients Friday, 17 with confirmed cases. Seven of those patients are receiving intensive care.

Butler Memorial also reported the death of one inpatient Thursday. The death did not appear in the state's data Friday, which could be due to a lag in reporting or if the person's permanent residence was outside Butler county.

“It is more important now than ever for people to be diligent and to use safe practices: wear a mask, cover coughs and sneezes, keep at least 6 feet distance from others, avoid gatherings, and if you feel sick, stay home,” DeFurio said.

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Health's report Friday, the county added 75 new confirmed cases and zero deaths. Since the beginning of the pandemic, 2,993 county residents have tested positive for COVID-19, and 70 residents have died from the virus.

Friday's lack of death ended a nine-day streak of COVID-19 deaths, accounting for 24 deaths during that period.

In a Facebook post Friday, Gov. Tom Wolf continued to promote the latest mask-wearing measures.

“With COVID cases spiking, health experts strongly advise staying home as much as possible,” said Wolf in his post. “When you do leave home, masks are required. If people you don't live with visit your home, wear a mask — even if you can keep your physical distance.”