The Pennsylvania COVID-19 Interim Vaccination Plan intends to vaccinate the population in three phases that are broken down into subphases.

The phases are based on the target populations advised by the Center for Disease Prevention and Control. The phases are as follows:

Phase 1: People who are the most essential to sustaining the response to COVID-19; those who are at the greatest risk of severe illness and death, and their caregivers; health care personnel who are likely to be exposed to or treat people with COVID-19; and people who are essential to maintaining core societal functions.

• Phase 1A: Healthcare personnel including those in long-term care facilities, and residents in long-term care facilities.

• Phase 1B: First responders who have direct public contact and possible COVID-19 exposure. They include law enforcement, fire and rescue personnel, Pennsylvania National Guard, adult and child protective services.

Critical workers - manufacturing of medical supplies, pharmaceuticals and other essential products; emergency services sector; energy sector for oil refineries, petrochemical distribution, electrical assessment and repair, and gas supply and repair; meat and food processing; nuclear reactors; transportation sector including airports, TSA, drivers of vehicles of more than six people; homeless shelter workers, crisis shelters, correctional facilities, and Office of Children, Youth and Families Child Residential Facilities; water and wastewater treatment; education; child care facilities; and high-risk services involving COVID including laboratory processing, mortuary services and environmental cleaning.

• Phase 1B High Risk Conditions

Underlying medical conditions - cancer, chronic kidney disease, COPD, immunocompromised from solid organ transplant, obesity with BMI over 30, serious heart conditions, Sickle cell disease, Type 2 diabetes, smoking, or pregnancy.

People age 65 years and older. Residents of congregate settings and people receiving home or community-based services.

Phase 2: includes business personnel who cannot work remotely, and cybersecurity personnel. People aged 40 to 64. Those with asthma, cerebrovascular, cystic fibrosis, dementia, hypertension, other immunocompromised, liver disease, pulmonary fibrosis, intellectual or neurological disabilities, thalassemia, or Type 1 diabetes. People living in congregate settings, dormitories, military barracks, boarding schools or summer camps.

Phase 3: all people of any age and those not previously vaccinated.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health reported Saturday that there were 10,045 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 713,310.

There are 5,318 people hospitalized with COVID-19, near double the peak in the spring. As of 11:59 p.m. Friday, there were 273 new deaths reported for a total of 17,667 deaths attributed to COVID-19.

Lehigh Valley Health Network last week provided the vaccine to 20 residents and staff of Saucon Valley Manor in Hellertown. The health network and St. Luke’s network are also providing vaccines to firefighters. Lehighton Fire Department received vaccines this weekend.

Emergency responders can sign up by creating an account with My­LVHN.