In less than 15 minutes, Pennsylvania National Guard Spc. Ryan Whispell jabs five people in the arm with a second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine.
He zips through the standard medical questions, occasionally stumbling when he asks which arm the patient prefers only to notice a rolled up sleeve.
He smiles with his eyes.
Whispell is one of about 50 Guard members working at the Lancaster County Community Vaccination Center. But while other reservists hail from across the region, Whispell lives here in Lancaster County.
âPart of the whole reason I did the Guard is I like the whole idea of being local,â said Whispell, 20.
PA National Guard members vaccinating patients at Lancaster County Community Vaccination Center
Don t be surprised if you see a man or woman in uniform. PA National Guard members may be the person administering your COVID-19 vaccine or greeting you at the door. Author: Grace Griffaton (FOX43), Keith Schweigert (FOX43) Published: 6:01 PM EDT April 12, 2021 Updated: 5:24 PM EDT April 13, 2021
LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. Many of the members have been involved since the very beginning of the pandemic, said Sergeant First Class Joel Bergey.
Bergey explains how the PA National Guard has helped throughout the pandemic. From setting up overflow hospitals to assisting with COVID-19 testing: They have had boots on the ground since the start.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health reported 4,746 new coronavirus cases on Thursday.Itâs the fourth day in a row the stateâs case count has gone up.Pennsylvania is one of a handful of states seeing the greatest surges in cases and hospitalizations. Itâs very concerning. I think the fourth wave of COVID is clearly here, and thatâs whatâs going on here in Lancaster and in Pennsylvania, said Dr. Joseph Kontra, of Lancaster General Health.Kontra points to a number of factors for the increase, including the spread of more contagious and potentially harmful strains of the coronavirus. Itâs not only the U.K. variant thatâs around, but we also know the New York variant is here. I think that combination of things, the population density and the fact that we are opening up a bit, Kontra said.Vaccines are proving effective against the new variants.But doctors are seeing more children and younger people testing positive for COVID-19.A group of Elizabe
Lancaster Co. health leaders encourage people to schedule vaccine appointments now, regardless of eligibility
The Lancaster County Community Vaccination center has 5,000 appointments available through April 15 and 33,000 spots are open through May 2. Author: Rachel Yonkunas (FOX43) Updated: 10:29 PM EDT April 7, 2021
LANCASTER, Pa. During a virtual vaccine Town Hall, Lancaster County health leaders said new COVID-19 case counts are rising. They encouraged residents to continue with coronavirus mitigation efforts, such as mask-wearing and social distancing.
As of Wednesday evening, State Department of Health data show 80,944 people are fully vaccinated across the county and 78,334 people have received at least one dose of the vaccine. Health officials are hoping those vaccine numbers grow over the next few weeks.
Health officials inside the 100,000 sqft site at Park City Center is ready to accommodate thousands of eligible people with the exception of one thing.