Sunday, March 6, marks the two-year anniversary of the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic in Delaware County. A vigil this Tuesday will recall pandemic victims.

The first case in Pennsylvania was reported March 6, 2020 in Delaware County.

From that moment the county witnessed the devastating impact of the virus on our communities.

In the past 2 years, Delaware County has lost over 1,800 people due to the virus–family, friends, neighbors, coworkers, and other members of the community.

Public health concerns and travel restrictions prevented many family members and friends from saying goodbye to their loved ones.

The County will hold a Remembrance Vigil on Tuesday, March 8, at 1 pm on the steps of the Delaware County Courthouse in Media. Members of the community are invited to attend to pay tribute to their loved ones.

In the midst of this deadly pandemic, where so many are grieving the loss of a family member, friend, neighbor, or coworker, it’s important to pause and reflect, and remember each person lost. The hope is that the memorial will serve as collective healing for our community.  

Find out more about the Remembrance Vigil.

A Reason for Optimism

Even as we remember those we lost to COVID, the county has reason to be optimistic about the future.

Delaware County medical advisor Dr. Lisa O’Mahony, in a March 2 update, reported that COVID metrics “for the country and the county continue to move in the right direction.”

Incident rates per 100,000 in the past seven days have decreased from 74 to 57. COVID-specific hospitalizations and patients on ventilators have dropped significantly as well, she said.

The county is now ranked by the CDC as a medium-level COVID community, based on statistics for new cases, new hospitalizations, and the county’s hospital capacity.

“This means that indoor masking is at the discretion of the individual,” Dr. O’Mahony said in a video report.

Those who are immune-compromised, at risk for severe COVID, or are still too young for a vaccine should continue to wear masks.

“Anyone who wants to wear a mask should continue to do so,” she said. County employees in contact with the public or who work at county healthcare and congregant care communities must also continue wearing masks.

The CDC continues to recommend vaccinations, boosters, and testing for all communities if symptoms develop, she added.

“Vaccine remains our greatest protection against severe disease and emergent variant strains,” she said.

See her entire report.