With a quick vote, county commissioners on Wednesday rescinded the county Declaration of Public Health Disaster Emergency resolution that was approved March 18, 2020, when the coronavirus pandemic arrived in Butler County.

Leslie Osche, commissioners chairwoman, said the declaration was kept in place a little longer than necessary to ensure the county would continue to receive state Emergency Management Agency funding.

She said the public's rush to vaccinate has ended, Butler Health System has closed down its large-scale testing and vaccination centers, and cases have declined in the county.

Osche said county leaders will engage in a debriefing with several county entities, including emergency medical services, school districts, county offices and others.

The debriefing will serve to prepare the county for any future pandemic or medical disaster, which she hopes will never occur. “We're very proud of the county and community on how they stepped up,” Osche said.

She said businesses received emergency funding to help them survive, and employees in county row offices worked together to overcome challenges associated with the pandemic.

Commissioner Kevin Boozel said the statewide County Commissioners Association, of which he is president and Osche is treasurer, continues to discuss the pandemic with the state's county commissioners, Gov. Tom Wolf and his staff, and the state secretary of health on the delta variant now affecting those without vaccinations.

“That communication stream is extremely important to maintain,” Boozel said.

He added that communication with state officials was “nonexistent” at the beginning of the pandemic, which should never happen again should the state face another pandemic.

“I think being prepared is critical,” Boozel said.

Commissioner Kim Geyer believes the county is in a better position than many surrounding counties because of the amount of collaboration and communication with its partners, stakeholders and community organizations.

“I feel we did a good job responding to what was in front of us,” she said. “We kept moving forward.”

Regarding the nearly 46% unvaccinated residents in the county, Geyer said she believes the public has been sufficiently educated regarding the vaccines.

“We all have to find a way to move forward,” Geyer said. “I think this is going to be around for a while, so we all need to live life and move forward.”

Osche said many residents continue to have questions about the vaccines, especially young people.

She said it will take time until everyone is comfortable getting a vaccination.

“I can't judge people either way,” Osche said.

Boozel extolled Butler Health System's success in getting shots in arms in the county, and said it appears the Pfizer vaccines given at the health system's vaccination sites will guard those vaccinated against dire illness from the new delta variant.

“The hospital did a fantastic job,” Boozel said.

More than 54% of the county's population has received at least one COVID-19 vaccination, and almost 49% are fully vaccinated.

There have been 17,639 confirmed or probable COVID-19 cases and 418 deaths from the virus in Butler County.

In Beaver County, 48% of residents have one shot and 41% are fully vaccinated. Beaver County has seen 15,559 confirmed or probable cases and 389 deaths.

In Lawrence County, 42% of residents have one shot and 37% are fully vaccinated. Lawrence has seen 7,703 confirmed or probable cases and 216 deaths.

In Armstrong County, 50% of residents have one shot and 44% are fully vaccinated. Armstrong has seen 6,014 confirmed or probable cases and 148 deaths.