Health - Bensalem Township

Bucks County COVID Cases Continue to Rise Amid Mitigation Debates

Published

5 years ago

August 10, 2021

staff

The number of COVID-19 cases continues to rise in Bucks County as spirited debate swirls over masking and vaccination mandates.

The county’s seven-day average from Aug. 1 – 7 reached 80 new cases per day on Saturday, the highest it has been since mid-May. A total of 562 infections was reported last week, a 62 percent increase from the week before and a 150 percent increase from two weeks ago.

Those numbers have not translated to crowded hospitals or rising deaths to date.

One COVID-related death has been reported since July 15. Hospitalizations ticked up to 16 patients in Bucks County by Saturday, two of them on ventilators, but that level remains relatively low.

The vaccination rate continues to rise slowly, with 69 percent of adults in Bucks having received at least one dose of COVID vaccine. Public officials continue to encourage unvaccinated people to get the jab, saying it has proven to be the most effective way of avoiding death or serious illness, or spreading the virus to others.

Nationally, an even greater upswing continues. New cases have increased nine-fold since early July and hospitalizations related to the virus are at their highest level since February, according to CNN.

Accompanying the rising numbers have come renewed calls by some for mask mandates and mandatory vaccinations.

Credit: Bucks County

The Department of Defense on Monday announced plans to require members of the U.S. military to be fully vaccinated against COVID by at least mid-September. The plan is contingent on the vaccine receiving FDA approval or a waiver granted by President Biden, who expressed support for the move.

In New Jersey, Gov. Phil Murphy has ordered masking for all public school students and staff regardless of vaccination status. Murphy also is requiring employees of certain state and private health care facilities to be fully vaccinated by Sept. 7 or to be tested on a regular basis.

New York is requiring vaccination or regular testing of state employees, while New York City residents and visitors must prove their vaccination status in order to enter gyms or dine indoors at restaurants.

Gov. Tom Wolf has not made such moves in Pennsylvania. Wolf said there are no plans, at this time, to mandate masking in schools and is instead allowing individual school districts to decide.

Philadelphia has announced it will require masking in public schools and some city restaurants are requiring proof of vaccination. Others, such as the Central Bucks School District, have chosen to make masking optional.

The Bucks County Commissioners this week ordered all employees and the public to wear masks when entering county buildings and in common areas such as hallways and elevators. County employees who can document their vaccination status are not required to wear masks in their offices or workspaces.

Bucks County President Judge Wallace H. Bateman Jr. put out similar guidance for the county and district courts late last week.

According to the CDC’s COVID-19 integrated county view, Bucks County’s test positivity rate has risen to 4.9 percent. Public health experts say anything above 5 percent positivity rate is concerning.

Bucks County continues to offer free vaccinations to anyone age 12 and over from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays at the Neshaminy Mall in Bensalem and Warwick Square in Jamison. For a full list of vaccine providers in Bucks County and locations where COVID vaccines are being offered, please check Bucks County’s Coronavirus Testing/Vaccination Information page.

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Health - Bensalem Township

Tackle Spring Break Travel Prep with GIANT Pharmacists

Published

11 hours ago

March 5, 2026

Jeff Bohen

After a long winter, many people are now looking ahead to spring break travel. Whether your plans have you headed to the beach or traveling abroad, GIANT and MARTIN’S pharmacists are available as a resource with pre-travel health consultations and over-the-counter product suggestions.

“The same way you may enlist the expertise of a travel agent when booking your vacation, your local GIANT or MARTIN’S pharmacist also has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to ensuring you have the right vaccinations or health essentials ahead of your trip,” said Nick Koch, director of pharmacy and wellbeing, The GIANT Company. “From pre-health travel consultations to offering recommendations for the best sunscreens and first aid basics, don’t overlook the value that our team of pharmacists can bring to your vacation preparations.”

If your spring break plans have you traveling aboard, GIANT and MARTIN’S pharmacists can also get you adventure ready with a pre-travel health consultation approximately as soon as travel dates are confirmed and a minimum of one month before you leave. This includes vaccines, prescription referrals, and over-the-counter medications.

Vaccines^* include but are not limited to yellow fever vaccine (available at select locations), typhoid vaccine and cholera vaccine. Prescription referrals include malaria prevention, traveler’s diarrhea prevention and care, motion sickness prevention and altitude sickness prevention. For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit https://giantfoodstores.com/pages/pharmacy-services.

GIANT and MARTIN’S pharmacists advise that any prescription medication should always be packed in one’s carry-on bag, never in checked luggage, and preferably in the original container with the prescription label affixed. Be sure to bring enough for your trip as well as extra should there be any travel delays.

Travelers are also encouraged to pack a small first aid kit for on-the-go use. This should include bandages of various sizes, gauze pads, antibiotic ointment, hydrocortisone cream, tweezers and a thermometer. Be sure to add over the counter pain relievers, antacids, decongestants, hand sanitizers and antibacterial wipes, too. Additional items may be needed based on one’s destination and weather.

Health - Bensalem Township

Still Winter: NWS Issues Tuesday Morning Winter Weather Advisory

Published

3 days ago

March 2, 2026

staff

March “comes in as lion” to the Lower Bucks area as the National Weather Service (NWS) issued a winter weather advisory for Tuesday morning forecasting a mixed precipitation event making for possibly slippery road conditions.

The advisory is in effect from 5 a.m. until 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 3.

NWS says total snow accumulations less than one inch and ice accumulations around a light glaze in portions of southeast Pennsylvania and central, northern, and northwest New Jersey.

The hazardous conditions could impact the Tuesday morning commute, officials say, and motorists should plan on slippery road conditions. Motorists are reminded to slow down and use caution while traveling.

Health - Bensalem Township

Bucks Issues “Code Blue” Until March 3rd Due to Forecasted Bitter Cold

Published

4 days ago

March 1, 2026

staff

Bucks County has issued a “Code Blue” declaration as bitter cold is set to return for the start of March.

Shelters in Upper, Central and Lower Bucks will be in operation nightly Sunday through Tuesday morning.

The following shelters have been activated for this Code Blue event:

Lower Bucks – ahtn.org
(3/1)
Calvary Baptist Church – Gym
250 Green Lane
Bristol, PA 19007
www.calvarybristol.org

(3/2)
Morrisville Presbyterian Church
771 N. Pennsylvania Ave.
Morrisville, PA 19067
www.mpcusa.org

Please note the Lower Bucks shelter location changes Monday evening to Morrisville Presbyterian Church.

Guests are required to leave the shelters by 6:45 a.m. each day and may return in the evening

Upper Bucks – facebook.com/upperbuckscodeblue
Quakertown Masonic Lodge – First Floor
501 W. Broad Street
Quakertown, PA 18951

Central Bucks – co2ssh.org
St. Paul’s Lutheran Church
301 N. Main Street
Doylestown, PA 18901
www.doylestownlutheran.org

Guests are required to leave the shelters by 6:45 a.m. each day and may return in the evening.

The Upper and Lower Bucks shelters will open at 8:30 p.m. The Central Bucks shelter opens at 7:30 p.m.

The county issues a “Code Blue” declaration when temperatures are forecast to drop below 20 degrees for two or more consecutive days. A “Code Blue” may be called amid higher temperatures, as consideration is also given to wind chill, precipitation and other circumstances.

Information about “Code Blue” openings is available Monday – Friday through the County’s Housing Link Helpline at 1-800-810-4434.