An amended order from the state Monday calls for COVID-19 vaccine providers to work with agencies to vaccinate disabled people who are at high risk and can't leave home.

Acting Secretary of Health Alison Beam amended an order to ensure vaccine providers are working with local Area Agencies on Aging and other groups to reach those who are not able to leave their homes. The original order instructed providers to work with Area Agencies on Aging to vaccinate people age 65 and older who were having difficulty making appointments.

“Today's amended order continues our work with our Medical Assistance managed care organizations to facilitate vaccine appointments for Pennsylvanians who are at greater risk of a severe COVID-19 case if they contract the virus,” said Acting Human Services Secretary Meg Snead.

“These partnerships break down barriers for seniors, adults with disabilities and others in our Medical Assistance system who are high-risk and cannot leave their homes, many of whom are lower income or people of color.”

High numbers of new coronavirus cases were reported over the weekend, and the statewide recovery rate decreased from 89% to 88%.

New cases from Saturday, Sunday and Monday totaled 160 in the county and 9,207 in the state, increasing the totals to 10,529 and 1,136,057, respectively, since the beginning of the pandemic.

Only five new deaths occurred across the state, bringing the total to 25,988. The number of deaths in the county remains 402.

There are 2,561 people hospitalized with COVID-19, including 544 people in intensive care. Most of the people hospitalized are age 65 or older, and most of the deaths have occurred in people age 65 or older. About 27,503 of the cases in the state are among health care workers.

The 14-day average number of people hospitalized per day is increasing, but remains about 3,400 lower than it was at the peak of the virus in December 2020 and below what it was at the height of the spring peak in May 2020.

In licensed nursing and personal care homes, 70,484 residents and 14,708 employees have COVID-19. Of the deaths in the state, 13,082 have been residents from nursing or personal care facilities.

The Department of Health also reported that 3,200,270 people are fully vaccinated and a total of 8,043,744 first and single doses of vaccine and 2,928,527 second doses have been administered.

The Butler Health System said all residents age 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 at www.butlerhealthsystem.org. Walk-ins will be accepted.

BHS added that the vast majority of patients sick enough to be admitted for COVID-19 have not been vaccinated.