Citing an increase in the number of cases and percent of positive tests, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has placed the county into the substantial transmission level for COVID-19.

Butler and the surrounding counties of Lawrence, Beaver, Venango, Clarion and Allegheny have been placed into the substantial transmission level, even though the state is in the moderate level.

The change from the moderate level to the substantial range was based on 100 new cases in the county from July 26 to Aug. 1 and a positive test percent of 4.33% from July 24-30.

The 100 new cases reflect a 170.27% increase over the previous week. The 4.33% positive test percent reflects a 1.98% increase. The new cases pushed the prevalence of cases to 53.23 per 100,000 residents, according to the CDC.

Minimal to moderate levels indicate a widespread or sustained transmission to a large-scale community transmission, with a high likelihood of exposure or confirmed exposure within communal settings and a potential for rapid increase in suspected cases.

The substantial level indicates large-scale community transmission with health care staffing significantly impacted and multiple cases within communal settings such as health care facilities, schools and large gatherings.

In areas with minimum to substantial transmission levels, the CDC recommends discontinuing nonessential public health activities and encourages employees to work by telephone, the use of respiratory protection and mask wearing when employees work in proximity with clients, social distancing and the use of phone triage and telemedicine in health care settings.

Last week, the CDC revised its face mask wearing guidelines, recommending that even vaccinated people should return to wearing masks indoors in areas with substantial transmission levels.

Butler Health System continues to require mask wearing in all of its facilities and visitors are screened for flu-like symptoms upon entry.

The state Department of Health on Tuesday reported 1,442 new positive cases, bringing the statewide total to 1,228,961 since the pandemic began.

There are 563 people hospitalized with COVID-19, including 110 patients in intensive care across the state.

The 11 new deaths reported Monday brings the statewide total to 27,868.

In licensed nursing and personal care homes, there have been 72,370 cases among residents since the pandemic began and 15,649 cases among employees.

Of the total deaths in the state, 13,414 have occurred in nursing and personal care home residents.

About 29,406 of total cases have been among health care workers.

A total of 11,667,152 doses of vaccine have been administered statewide as of Tuesday, making 5,727,429 people fully vaccinated and 5,939,723 people partially vaccinated.

In the county, 94,157 people are fully vaccinated and 6,473 people are partially vaccinated among a population of 187,853.