COVID-19 cases are trending in the right direction across Pennsylvania. Down.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health confirmed there were 1,127 additional positive cases of COVID-19 reported Wednesday and fewer than 1,000 the previous day.

The statewide total is now 1,198,595, but the positivity across the commonwealth stood at 4.5%, much less than it was a month ago. In fact, the DOH reported on April 1 that the statewide positivity rate was 9.4%.

Over 4.5 million Pennsylvanians are fully vaccinated, while statewide providers have administered over 10 million doses.

What a difference a month makes for those providers.

“We currently have entirely too much vaccine,” said Kathy Moyer, lead technician at Wind Gap Community Pharmacy. “There doesn’t seem to be any kind of want for it.”

Moyer said people are pushing off their second-dose appointments, or just not showing up. The pharmacy is administering only 50 appointments per day, far less than numbers from a month ago.

“I haven’t requested vaccine in probably three weeks,” Moyer said. “We still have about 6,000 (doses) on hand. It’s frustrating because everyone wanted it. But it’s human nature to want something that you can’t have. Now that everyone can have it, nobody seems to want it.”

Kate Raymond, Marketing and Public Relations at St. Luke’s University Health Network, confirmed St. Luke’s has seen a decrease in demand for vaccine since mid-April.

“The good news is that many people who wanted the vaccine have received it; however, we still have a long way to go in vaccinating the majority of our communities. Supply is currently good, and we are hopeful it will remain that way,” Raymond added.

The summer weather is upon us. Many Pennsylvanians will plan activities and events, while many COVID-19 restrictions have been recently eased or lifted.

“St. Luke’s is supportive of federal and commonwealth regulation as guided by the Centers for Disease Control,” said Raymond. “As health care professionals, we always advise individuals to exercise individual discretion in protecting their health. Immunocompromised individuals in particular should remain vigilant. And masking remains important in certain situations.”

Upcoming clinics

Wind Gap Community Pharmacy recently partnered with both Monroe and Northampton County community colleges to hold a nine-week clinic on Fridays and Saturdays, which began May 21. First doses will be administered at the clinics every Friday and Saturday from June 4-July 17. Second doses from June 18-Aug. 14.

St. Luke’s is offering the Pfizer vaccine for children ages 12-17 at five locations.

“We working with Pleasant Valley School District for a vaccine clinic on June 1. We anticipate that Moderna will soon be authorized for that age group; and clinical trials on younger children are currently underway,” Raymond added.