In 2021, the COVID-19 vaccine gave people hope, but the omicron variant has sent the number of cases to record levels.

The death toll from COVID-19 in Pennsylvania is 36,639 as of Dec. 30, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

The number of new daily cases reported as of Dec. 29 is 19,436, the highest daily total to date. There are currently 5,003 hospitalizations due to COVID.

There have been 1,993,720 cases to date, a count which includes confirmed and probable cases. The daily average of cases was 9,979 from Dec. 20-26.

“The Department of Health anticipates an increased demand for testing during the holiday season as COVID-19 case counts continue to be high across the commonwealth and many people are planning holiday travel and gatherings. We are proud to see Pennsylvanians are stepping up to get tested if they experience symptoms and/or known exposure,” Ryan Eldredge, deputy communications director said in an email.

As of Dec. 27, almost 80 percent of state residents 18 and older are fully vaccinated, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. Statewide, 16,946,745 vaccines have been administered as of Dec. 30, the DOH said.

The omicron variant is the most prevalent of cases in the region and in the country at 57.7 percent, Eldredge said.

Schuylkill County has the sixth highest positivity rating in the state at 22.3%. The highest is Susquehanna County at 25.1%. The statewide average is 15.3%. Carbon has a rate of 19.9%; Lehigh at 19.4%; Monroe at 20.2%; and Northampton at 20.6 %, DOH data show.

Testing is available at more than 960 sites statewide. Go to www.health.pa.gov for a list of testing locations.

Getting vaccinated, receiving a booster shot, wearing masks indoors in public and considering taking a COVID-19 test prior to family gatherings can help curb the spread of the virus, Acting Secretary of Health Keara Klinepeter said.

Test kits are available at stores but have been hard to find, according to reports.

Jamie Stover, a media representative with Lehigh Valley Health Network, said Thursday about 330 patients have the virus working the network. In all, 2% of those hospitalized have been vaccinated and received a booster shot, she said in an email. She said vaccinations and booster shots are encouraged.

“Even in small gatherings, there is still some risk for exposure with people being unmasked while eating and drinking. Your New Year’s resolution should be to keep yourself and others safe during the holiday celebration and to not get sick in the new year. If you suspect you’ve been infected or exposed to COVID-19, we encourage you to make a virtual visit so you can be assessed to determine if testing is appropriate, Stover said.