While Friday's state data showed eight more Butler County residents have died due to COVID-19, a report from Butler Memorial Hospital showed a slight decrease in inpatient levels.

Along with the eight new deaths, state data showed the county added 99 new confirmed cases of COVID-19, according to Friday's report by the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, 6,953 county residents have tested positive for COVID-19 and 233 residents have died due to the virus.

On Friday, a report by Butler Health System showed inpatient levels at Butler Memorial had decreased by 25%. Butler Memorial reported only 44 inpatients on Friday, having had 59 on Wednesday.

Butler Memorial also saw its use of intensive care units drop from 12 beds Wednesday to seven on Friday.

Also since Wednesday's update, Butler Memorial saw two deaths.

The remaining decrease of inpatients was due to patients being discharged or released from COVID-19 isolation, according to BHS CEO Ken DeFurio.

“In that regard, it's a good sign,” DeFurio said. “It is too early to tell if this is a good sign that is sustainable.”

Like county rates, state infection rates remain elevated from levels in the spring. On Friday, the state added 10,178 new confirmed cases and 215 deaths.

“We continue to be concerned about spread and infections from holiday gatherings,” DeFurio said. “BHS fully expects to continue to see a significant number of COVID-19 cases.”

Since the beginning of the pandemic, the state has had 703,265 residents test positive for COVID-19 and 17,394 deaths related to the virus.

In a recent news conference, both Gov. Tom Wolf and state Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine stressed the importance of continuing mitigation practices.

“When we work together, we slow the spread of COVID-19. We protect our families. We protect our communities,” Wolf said. “When we follow mitigation measures, we get ourselves one step closer to a future without COVID-19.”