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.

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