The Chester County Health Department has announced that 83 percent of the county’s eligible residents (those ages 12 and older) are partially or fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Furthermore, 92 percent of individuals 18 and older – which follows Gov. Tom Wolf’s benchmark – are partially or fully vaccinated.

According to county health officials, these figures indicate that Chester County will exceed the target of 70 percent fully vaccinated before June 28, the final date that Gov. Wolf confirmed for lifting the mask mandate.

“The people of Chester County are doing their part, and the COVID-19 vaccine is working,” said Jeanne Franklin, Director of the Chester County Health Department. “The vaccine is helping us fight this long, drawn-out, deadly virus, and it is evident in our consistently low seven-day incidence and positivity rates.”

Mask-wearing guidance

Given the low incidence and positivity rates, the Chester County Health Department has revised its guidance on mask-wearing for summer camps and in anticipation of the start of school at the end of August.

“We understand that the CDC and the PA Department of Health are noting that children under the age of 12 should continue wearing masks in certain settings, but we also appreciate that this guidance is covering a national and a state-wide perspective,” said Franklin. “We are looking at the local picture, and we believe that Chester County can remain safe with masks being optional, rather than mandatory, for settings such as summer camps.”

With regard to the return to school at the end of summer, the Chester County Health Department will continue to monitor all COVID-19 activity through to August and, “if the incidence and positivity rates remain at present levels, then our guidance for school officials will be to start the school year with no extra mitigation measures needed, including masks,” said Franklin.

“Of course, the decision for any COVID-19 mitigation measures is ultimately the responsibility of each school district.”

COVID-19 vaccine clinics

With both vaccine numbers high and vaccine supply readily available, the Chester County Health Department will reduce its COVID-19 vaccine clinic locations over the coming month.  The Longwood Gardens drive-thru site will complete operation on June 30, and the Exton Square Mall clinic will remain open until July 18. The three senior centers that have served as vaccine clinics will also wind-down operations: Oxford Senior Center on June 21, Brandywine Valley Active Aging Center (formerly Coatesville Senior Center) on June 25, and Phoenixville Senior Center on June 29. 

“The support of all three senior centers – as well as the Brandywine and Jennersville YMCAs, West Chester University, Kimberton and Kennett Square fire companies, Longwood Gardens, and PREIT (owner of Exton Square Mall) – has been tremendous,” said Chester County Commissioner Marian Moskowitz. “The leaders there all offered their facilities to help in our efforts to take the vaccine to many places in the county, and for that we are grateful.”

“Many community organizations and places of worship helped us in scheduling pop-up and mobile clinics throughout the county,” said Commissioner Josh Maxell. “Chester County communities rallied, they encouraged neighbors and friends to get vaccinated, and their commitment has really made an impact.”

As the Chester County Health Department vaccine clinics wind down, health officials will continue to support all other vaccine providers as needed, as well as mobile clinics and at-home vaccines. The vaccine will remain available at no cost for low-income populations and those without insurance through the Health Department’s regularly scheduled immunization clinics. 

“All three vaccines are now readily available at pharmacies, urgent-care facilities, and through family medical practices, which means that first and second doses are easily accessible, even if the eligibility age for the vaccine lowers,” said Commissioner Michelle Kichline. “But if needed, our Health Department can ramp-up vaccine operations again to meet demand.”

The Chester County COVID-19 Dashboard will now be updated on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays only.

“Data will remain on the website for the foreseeable future, but with the lower numbers being reported, daily updates are no longer necessary,” said Franklin.