Chester County has recorded an unprecedented rise in new COVID-19 cases, the highest since the start of the pandemic nearly two years ago, writes Fran Maye for the Daily Local News.

The number of positive cases last week was nearly triple the number from four weeks ago, as Omicron continues to rage through the region.

There were 5,516 confirmed cases of COVID-19 last week in the county, compared with 2,020 four weeks ago, according to the Chester County Health Department.

The highest rate of transmission is in the 20-to-29-year-old age bracket, with 1,129 people testing positive in the last seven days.

“Pennsylvania, like the rest of the nation, is experiencing a steep increase in the number of COVID-19 cases,” said Acting Secretary of Health Keara Klinepeter. “This should not cause panic, but it should be a call to immediate action.”

In the past 30 days, close to 13,000 Chester County residents tested positive for COVID-19. Those who have been vaccinated are mostly reporting mild symptoms, while those who are unvaccinated are being hospitalized at a much higher rate than vaccinated people.

Read more about the rapid rise in new cases in the Daily Local News.