The Butler VA Health Care System is offering COVID-19 vaccinations to eligible veterans of all ages.

Veterans of all ages enrolled in the VA system and those eligible for vaccinations can schedule an appointment and learn more about the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines by calling 878-271-6753 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The Butler VA has been offering and administering vaccines to VA employees and veterans who receive care at the VA and who meet current guidelines from the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

Veterans can receive vaccine update information online by registering at https://www.va.gov/covid-19-vaccine.

The Butler VA said it receives vaccine shipments weekly, but the quantity varies, and it is committed to exhaust all supply each week.

On Thursday, Acting Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Alison Beam marked the one-year anniversary of the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The World Health Organization announced the first coronavirus outbreak in late January 2020, and on March 11, 2020 declared COVID-19 a global pandemic.

“It has been an incredibly challenging year for so many. The unimaginable loss of far too many lives. We remember them today and every day, those left to grieve and rebuild, and those who struggle to this day,” Beam said. “As we continue to navigate through this pandemic, it is extremely important that we maintain our collaborative and concentrated state response, remain vigilant and continue to follow the proven public health best practices.”

The health department reported 3,243,472 doses of vaccine have been administered, including 2,178,312 first doses and 1,065,160 second doses statewide. Those numbers include 19,147 first doses and 23,173 second doses administered in the county. A person is considered fully covered after receiving two doses of the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine being administered to school employees is a single-dose vaccine.

The 2,652 new cases reported Thursday raised the statewide total to 958,382 since the pandemic began, including 24 new cases in the county that raises the total to 9,112.

The 51 new deaths across the state raise the total of 24,490 deaths since the beginning of the pandemic. One new death was reported in the county, raising the total to 375.

There are 1,513 people hospitalized statewide, including 326 in intensive care. The 14-day average number of people hospitalized per day is about 4,400 lower than it was at the peak on Dec. 25 and lower than what it was at the height of the spring peak on May 3.

The following numbers on the coronavirus pandemic were compiled from regular news releases from the state Department of Health.COVID-19 statistics from Thursday are:<b>Butler County</b>Confirmed cases: 9,112Probable cases: 5,184Negative tests: 47,065Deaths: 375<b>Pennsylvania</b>New cases: 2,652Total cases: 958,382New deaths: 51Total deaths: 24,490Recovered: 92 percent<b>Surrounding Counties</b>Allegheny: 61,669 confirmed cases; 366,546 negative; and 1,764 deathsArmstrong: 3,906 confirmed; 15,051 negative; and 116 deathsBeaver: 10,543 confirmed; 46,097 negative; and 352 deathsClarion: 1,746 confirmed; 8,120 negative; and 86 deathsLawrence: 4,667 confirmed; 18,421 negative; and 189 deathsMercer: 6,596 confirmed; 27,354 negative; and 243 deathsVenango: 2,767 confirmed; 10,662 negative; and 88 deathsWestmoreland: 19,271 confirmed; 88,271 negative; and 688 deaths