Butler County saw more hospitalizations, cases and a death Friday due to COVID-19.

On Friday, Butler Memorial Hospital reported the death of one patient Thursday. Butler Health System reported the hospital had 28 inpatients, two with suspected cases and 26 confirmed to have the virus. Five of the hospital's COVID-19 patients are being treated in the intensive care unit.

According to Friday's report by the Pennsylvania Department of Health, the county added 48 new confirmed cases and one death to its official record.

The reported death may or may not be from Butler Memorial Hospital, as a death is recorded to a county's data based on the person's permanent residence.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, 2,050 residents have tested positive and 41 residents have died due to COVID-19.

In the past two weeks, the county has averaged about 42 new confirmed cases per day.

For the month of October, the county averaged about 16 new confirmed cases daily, and in September that average hovered around eight new cases daily.

County officials and community leaders responded to the recent increase by launching an informational campaign starting Thursday reminding residents to be active in stopping the spread of the virus.

The message reminds residents to wear masks, avoid large gatherings and socially distance when possible.

“Only you can keep Butler County open,” the message said.