After four COVID-19 deaths over the weekend and more hospitalizations, Butler Health System officials are calling on the community to help stop the spread of the virus.

Hospitalization rates have increased statewide, but Butler County's numbers have jumped significantly in recent weeks, shown again in Butler Health System's update Monday.

“The area is experiencing its highest incidence of COVID-19 cases since the beginning of the pandemic,” said BHS spokeswoman Jana Panther in a message to the community. “There is spread of the virus in the community.”

Butler Memorial Hospital reported two COVID-19 deaths on Saturday and two on Sunday. It was not immediately clear if any of the deaths were county residents, which would affect the county's COVID-19 data with the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

Also, the hospital reported treating 26 inpatients for COVID-19 symptoms with 20 of them having confirmed cases of the virus. Four of the hospitalized patients are being treated in the intensive care unit.

In her message Monday, Jana Panther urged residents to do their part to prevent further community spread of the disease.She said residents should avoid large gatherings and events, avoid close contact with anyone who is sick or has symptoms, practice proper hygiene, and stay home if sick.“Be careful having school-age and college-age youth around family members who are otherwise avoiding contact with others,” Panther said.Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine reviewed retrospective data from last week in a news conference Monday.“This is a sobering look at our current reality as COVID-19 continues to impact our state and our country,” she said. “COVID-19 does not discriminate; no one is invincible to the potential impacts of this virus.”According to the COVID-19 Early Warning Monitoring System Dashboard, Butler County's incident rate, which is the number of cases per 100,000 residents, was 111.2 from Oct. 30 to Thursday, an increase of 28.7 from the week before.The county also saw a new confirmed case tally of 209, an increase of 54 from the week before, and a PCR testing positivity rate of 8.1%, an increase from 6.2% the week before.“(Percent positivity) is one indicator of how we know that the increase is not just due to increased testing,” Levine said.Levine said community spread is now a growing concern as more and more cases cannot be traced to their sources. She said part of this trend might be coming from a lack of participation in contact tracing interviews with her staff.“More and more people are not providing information we need during case investigations,” Levine said. “I cannot stress enough how absolutely critical this information is and how important it is for people to answer the call.”

However, some positive news arrived today regarding vaccines. Pfizer, one of the leading companies racing toward a vaccine, reported its vaccine showed 90% efficiency in thwarting the virus.“Today is a great day for science and humanity,” said Dr. Albert Bourla, Pfizer chairman and CEO.Levine said the vaccine is still being studied for its safety, after which it will be forwarded to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. If approved, the FDA could fast-track the vaccine's access to the public through an Emergency Use Authorization.Levine said her department has plans ready for the Pfizer vaccine, which must be stored at subzero temperatures, should it be the first to become available.In one of two published statements Monday, President-elect Joe Biden applauded Pfizer vaccine's progress.“Today's news does not change this urgent reality,” Biden said. “Americans will have to rely on masking, distancing, contact tracing, hand washing and other measures to keep themselves safe well into next year. Today's news is great news, but it doesn't change that fact.”

Biden issued an earlier statement regarding COVID-19 as part of his transition plans. He and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris announced the formation of the Transition COVID-19 Advisory Board.The 13-member board contains public health experts who will advise Biden, Harris and transition staffers on the pandemic's status and needs.Biden said the board will help shape his approach to a growing concern as more than 40 states are seeing rises in cases.“Dealing with the coronavirus pandemic is one of the most important battles our administration will face, and I will be informed by science and by experts,” Biden said.