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With the introduction of a vaccine to fight COVID-19 over the past few weeks, the number of positive cases being seen in the county is on the decline.

Jason Daniel, director of public affairs for D.W. McMillan Memorial Hospital and the Escambia County Healthcare Authority, the number of positive test results for the virus have been lower than seen in recent months.

“We are seeing a slowing number of positive tests,” Daniel said. “The rate at which people are testing positive is dropping.”

Daniel said that some of that decrease in positive results may be attributed to the growing access to a vaccine to combat the virus.

“This with the increased number of vaccines we have given to date along with now other vaccination opportunities will only serve to drive the COVID-19 rates down further,” Daniel said. “These are all positive signs and we’re seeing signs of progress.”

Although the vaccine will certainly work to minimize the spread of the virus, Daniel said that people should still be aware that it exists and to combat it any way possible.

“We would ask that everyone stay vigilant and wear their masks,” Daniel said. “Please stay home when you are sick and quarantine if you are infected.”

In the results released on Tuesday by the Escambia County Health Care Authority, there has now been 3,707 confirmed cases in the county.

Over the past week, since Feb. 12 results were released, there have been only nine new cases reported In the county with 973 tests administered since the same date. That means that only about 10 percent of those tested were deemed positive for the virus.

With that number, the county has cut the percentage of positive cases in half. Last week, some 6907 specimens were taken in the county with 1549 resulting in a positive diagnosis showing about a 22 percent positive rate. The latest numbers show positive results are falling in the county.