COVID-19 continues to claim the lives of county residents, despite recent decreases in case numbers.

The deaths of five more residents were reported Wednesday by the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

“Nationally and in the state, we are seeing case numbers drop, which is a good indication that people did heed our advisories to stay home during the Christmas and New Year's holidays to avoid another holiday surge,” said Maggi Barton, a spokeswoman for the department. “Unfortunately, we are seeing deaths continue to increase, which is often the case after a hospital surge.”

Deaths from COVID-19 were not a consistent, everyday occurrence until November, when a fall resurgence began in the country.

Through 11 months of the year, up to Nov. 9, the county had 32 residents who died from COVID-19.

In just three months, from Nov. 10 through Wednesday, the county has lost 282 residents to COVID-19, which is about three to four people per day.

During that same time frame, the county saw 6,248 of its residents test positive for COVID-19, an average of about 80 new confirmed cases per day.

While death has steadily continued in recent weeks, the number of county residents testing positive has abated.

So far in January, the county has averaged about 65 new confirmed cases per day. In the past week, the county has added about 34 new confirmed cases per day on average.

Meanwhile, hospitalizations in the county also remained steady.

“Overall, we're seeing less in the community,” said Dr. John Love, director of infectious disease for Butler Health System. “Hospitalizations tend to lag behind what we're seeing in the community.”

Butler Memorial Hospital reported 31 inpatients being treated for COVID-19, five of whom are being treated in the intensive care unit.

Butler Memorial has not seen any new deaths since its report Monday, when it announced four deaths over the weekend.

Love said he expects the hospital's COVID-19 inpatient levels to mirror those in the community with some delay. He said the lesser number of patients gives staff a much needed reprieve from when the virus was at its most infectious and deadliest period in the past few months.

“We're obviously very thankful to see this,” Love said. “We're finally starting to catch our breath.”

He said the hospital had never been in danger of being overrun, and staff members have described recent patient levels as “manageable.” He hopes it stays that way for a while.

“The future remains uncertain, but overall these are where our hospital numbers should be based on the numbers we're seeing in our community,” Love said.

While some relief may have been afforded to those treating COVID-19, the problems afflicting vaccine providers everywhere remain contingent on the availability of dose supplies.

According to BHS, scheduling requests for COVID-19 vaccines are still suspended until more doses arrive.

BHS officials also noted that when scheduling re-opens, its hospitals will continue limiting vaccinations to health care workers and people ages 75 or older.

“BHS is working closely with Butler County Human Services to assist scheduling elderly, those individuals who are at high risk and those who may not have access to the internet,” said BHS spokeswoman Melissa Forster.