The state reported 2,577 new cases of COVID-19, including 17 in the county, Wednesday.

The state Department of Health said the number of new cases raises the statewide total to 938,411 and the county total to 8,984 since the pandemic began last spring.

In addition, the 69 new deaths across the state as of Tuesday raises the total to 24,169. No new deaths were reported in the county Wednesday, but Butler Memorial Hospital said two people died from the coronavirus March 1.

Hospitalizations statewide because of COVID-19 totaled 1,670, including 354 people in intensive care. Most of the people hospitalized and who have died are age 65 or older.

In licensed nursing and personal care homes, 67,031 residents and 13,144 employees have COVID-19.

The 14-day average number of people hospitalized per day is about 4,100 lower than it was at the peak in December and is below what it was at the spring peak on May 3.

The number of vaccine doses distributed in the state surpassed 2.5 million, reaching 2,553,518 on Tuesday, including 1,761,703 first doses and 791,815 second doses. In the county, 16,250 people have received one dose and 19,945 have received both doses. A person who received two doses is considered fully vaccinated.