Butler County added four deaths and more cases to its pandemic-wide totals, according to Thursday's state report.

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Health's daily update, the county added 63 new confirmed cases in addition to the deaths. Since the beginning of the pandemic, the county has had 2,446 residents test positive for COVID-19 and 52 residents die from the virus.

While Thursday's new cases fell short of the record-setting 90 the county saw Wednesday, it was still part of a growing trend. The county has averaged about 48 new confirmed cases daily in the month of November. In October, that average was at about 16 new confirmed cases per day.

In response to the growing trend, Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine on Wednesday instituted stricter orders relating to mask-wearing and travel.

Regarding vaccines, Levine said wearing masks, social distancing and proper hygiene will still be needed, even after one or more of the vaccines are approved.

“When the vaccine becomes available, it will not be a cure or an immediate end to the coronavirus pandemic,” she said.

Read more in Friday's Butler Eagle.