The state on Thursday extended the suspension of the use of the single-dose COVID-19 vaccine produced by Johnson & Johnson to April 24.

The state Department of Health notified all vaccine providers that the pause is until April 24 or until updated guidance is provided from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Food and Drug Administration.

Earlier this week, the department recommended a pause until April 20 to give the CDC and FDA time to review six incidents of rare blood clots that occurred within two weeks of receiving the vaccine.

The CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices held an emergency meeting Tuesday that ended without taking a vote to change the current recommendation to suspend use of the vaccine. Another meeting is expected within 10 days.

During the meeting, the CDC said one of the six cases being studied involves a 26-year-old Pennsylvania woman who recovered after treatment at a New Jersey hospital, according to the department.

The six cases occurred in women between ages 18 and 48 who were among the 6.8 million Americans who received the vaccine.

Of the more than 6.6 million total vaccine doses administered in Pennsylvania, 247,063 doses have been the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

According to the department's daily coronavirus update Thursday, 27 new cases and three new deaths were reported in the county, raising the totals to 10,222 and 398, respectively, since the beginning of the pandemic.

Statewide, 5,060 new cases increased the total to 1,092,852, and 44 new deaths bring the total to 25,566.

There are 2,580 people hospitalized, including 542 in intensive care. The 14-day average number of people hospitalized per day is about 3,700 lower than it was at the peak in December 2020 and below what it was at the height of the spring peak in May 2020, but it is increasing, according to the department.

As of Thursday morning, 4,428,050 first and single vaccine doses had been administered and 2,308,518 second doses. In the county, 17,740 people have been partially vaccinated and 53,120 people have been fully vaccinated.

The Butler Health System said all residents ages 16 and older can now sign up for vaccinations, and should do so because the coronavirus continues to spread in the community.

Appointments can be scheduled online at www.butlerhealthsystem.org.

BHS is administering vaccinations at its new clinic at the former Sears building at the Clearview Mall.