Petersburg hit by 85 COVID cases in 13 days

Petersburg remained in its red high-risk level as of Tuesday after 85 COVID-19 cases were reported in the community over the past 13 days.

As of Tuesday evening, 65 Coronavirus cases were still active, according to the Petersburg Borough and Petersburg Medical Center.

The spike in cases started Feb. 18, with the high point of 37 infections reported Feb. 23-26. There were 11 news cases reported on Tuesday.

Results from 212 Coronavirus tests were pending as of Tuesday evening.

The joint announcement by the borough and medical center emphasized "strict adherence" to the municipal mandate that requires people to wear face coverings in public buildings. The announcement also recommended six feet of distance between non-household members and "avoiding indoor gatherings altogether is best."

Petersburg schools will remain in remote-learning mode all week, after canceling in-person instruction last week.

During the high-level community risk, officials also recommend that "non-essential businesses should suspend walk-in traffic at a minimum and consider a closure until the high-risk status has passed."

Officials advise against any travel in or out of Petersburg, except for critical needs.

The case count has declined in recent days, with nine new infections reported Saturday through Monday.

The next assessment will be on Monday, the borough's emergency operation center said.

"All citizens and businesses are requested to continue to follow the red risk level recommendations in order to stop the spread and bring our local COVID-19 numbers down," officials said.

Contact tracers are working to identify people who may have come in close contact with infected individuals. "All positive cases are being directed to isolate," officials said.

In addition to urging health-safe practices, Petersburg, population about 3,100, is offering free drop-in asymptomatic testing from 7:30 to 10 a.m. at the airport through Friday. No appointment is needed.

As of 4 p.m. Tuesday, 599 people in Petersburg had received their first vaccine dose, and 626 had received both shots.