A total of 34 new confirmed COVID-19 cases have been reported in the county in a two-day period. Slippery Rock University will continue to offer 80% of its instruction online in the spring.

Events continue to be canceled. Most of the movies planned to be released around the holiday season are pushed back to 2021.

In other words, we’re far from being out of the woods.

The virus isn’t going away yet — and as the colder months approach, the numbers could go up again. In many places, they already are.

This is not news that anyone wants to hear after having already put up with seven months of the coronavirus and the ensuing shutdowns of businesses, schools and restaurants.

The good news is that Pennsylvania has posted lower numbers of COVID-19 cases comparatively throughout the pandemic — and the Pittsburgh region and surrounding counties especially haven’t been as hard hit as other metropolitan areas around the nation.

Although SRU’s classes will primarily be online in the spring, school officials noted this week that they believe the worst of the pandemic is behind them for the fall semester.

So, while state laws may go back and forth between slackening and being more strict depending on the trajectory of the virus, using common sense — such as wearing masks, socially distancing when possible and following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines — could prevent the type of disastrous autumn and winter that are expected in other places around the country.

The pandemic is expected to continue into next year — and most experts say a vaccine won’t be ready until 2021 — but we can help to ensure that it disappears in the state by remaining vigilant.

Although capacity numbers go up and down on a weekly basis, restaurants and other businesses are open, and attendance at sporting events is allowed.

After being cooped up in the house during the spring and summer, it’s natural people want to get out there and enjoy what they’d been missing.

Just continue to do so in a manner that keeps you and your family — but also your neighbors — safe. When it comes to practices that prevent the spread of COVID-19, continue to listen to the experts.

If we do these things, this pandemic will hopefully soon be in the rear-view mirror.

— NCD