https://www.fox29.com/news/amish-community-in-lancaster-county-reaches-herd-immunity-from-covid-19-medical-center-says FOX 29 News Philadelphia FOX 29 News Philadelphia * Live * News * Weather * Good Day * Sports * Contests * More Watch Live Expand / Collapse search Search site [ ] [Search] News * Philadelphia * Pennsylvania * New Jersey * Delaware * More Local News * National News * World News Weather * 7-Day Forecast * Closings * FOX Weather Blog * Radar * Temperatures * Watches/Warnings * Weather App Good Day * 'Digest' Newsletter * Kelly's Classroom * Seen On TV * Traffic * Watch Live * Weekend * Ya Gotta Try This Sports * Eagles * Flyers * Phillies * 76ers * Union * FOX Sports App Entertainment * Contests * Food & Drink * FOX Shows * The ClassH-Room * The Feed AT Night * TMZ * Watch FOX Shows Watch Live * Newscasts & Replays * LiveNOW from FOX * Webcams * Facebook Videos * FOX Soul * YouTube Money * Bizzy Mamas * Business * Cashing In * Consumer * Deals * Personal Finance * Technology Health * Coronavirus * Coronavirus Map * Coronavirus Vaccine * Dr. Mike * Dr. Oz * Health Care * Opioid Epidemic Politics * Inauguration Day * Joe Biden * Kamala Harris * 2020 Election * Election Results * Donald J. Trump * Philly City Council FOX 29 Originals * The Jerrick Report * For Goodness' Sake * FurEver Home * Hank's Take * In Focus * Momologue * Our Race Reality Regional News * New Jersey News - My9NJ * New York News - FOX 5 NY * Washington DC News - FOX 5 DC About Us * Apps * Contact Us * FCC Public File * FCC Applications * How To Advertise * Personalities * TV Listings * Work For Us Amish community in Lancaster County reaches herd immunity from COVID-19, medical center says By Alex George Published March 28 Updated March 30 Pennsylvania FOX 29 Philadelphia * Facebook * Twitter * Print * Email Amish community ravaged by pandemic reaches herd immunity, experts say FOX 29's Alex George has more on how the Amish community were able to achieve herd immunity according to a medical center. LANCASTER, Pa. - According to a local medical center, the Amish community in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania has achieved what no other community has been able to do - herd immunity. Herd immunity has been quite a buzzword in the past, and especially since the start of the coronavirus pandemic. "Herd immunity refers to the number of people in a community or a country, for that matter, that have some protection against an infectious process," explained Dr. Mike Cirigliano of the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. Experts at a New Holland Borough Healthcare Center said around 90% of households dealt with at least one coronavirus case after churches reopened last year. MORE: CDC director concerned over rising COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations They said those households are now immune to the virus. "We don't really know how long you're protected and we& apos;ve seen cases where people get re-infected," Dr. Cirigliano added. "I don't personally believe that we will reach herd immunity going forward without the use of vaccination. Medical experts are debating whether the news out of the Amish community is really as good as it sounds, especially with new variants of the virus popping up across the country. [vlcsnap-20] Some experts say trying to obtain this type of immunity may actually have reverse effects from the ones intended. "The idea that, well we will just let it happen naturally, in my opinion, is a bad, bad idea. We need to vaccinate to prevent severe illness and death," Dr. Cirigliano said. Dr. Cirigliano added that whether or not the Amish community has heard immunity should not make anyone else think it is feasible for their households, and wind up letting their guard down. ___ MORE CORONAVIRUS NEWS: Dr. Deborah Birx says most US COVID-19 deaths could have been avoided or 'decreased substantially' Philly suburbs hopes for more doses as Biden pushes for more eligibility 'This is deadly serious': Biden calls for states to reinstate mask mandates amid uptick in COVID-19 cases Extended brain fog may be a common symptom after COVID-19 infection, according to study ___ DOWNLOAD: FOX 29 NEWS APP SUBSCRIBE: Good Day Digest Newsletter | FOX 29 Philly on YouTube Advertisement FOLLOW: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter Latest News Philadelphia, surrounding counties seeing 'substantial' level of COVID-19 transmission, CDC says Philadelphia, surrounding counties seeing 'substantial' level of COVID-19 transmission, CDC says Philadelphia, surrounding counties seeing 'substantial' level of COVID-19 transmission, CDC says 80-year-old woman attempting to cross street struck, killed by PECO truck, police say 80-year-old woman attempting to cross street struck, killed by PECO truck, police say 80-year-old woman attempting to cross street struck, killed by PECO truck, police say Christine Englehardt death: Murder charges filed in Miami Beach spring break overdoses Christine Englehardt death: Murder charges filed in Miami Beach spring break overdoses Christine Englehardt death: Murder charges filed in Miami Beach spring break overdoses School District of Philadelphia leaders discuss mental health support for students School District of Philadelphia leaders discuss mental health support for students School District of Philadelphia leaders discuss mental health support for students Biden awards medals to Capitol officers, calling riot mob 'extremists and terrorists' Biden awards medals to Capitol officers, calling riot mob 'extremists and terrorists' Biden awards medals to Capitol officers, calling riot mob 'extremists and terrorists' Trending Pregnant woman stranded at LAX after Spirit Airlines cancels hundreds of flights Pregnant woman stranded at LAX after Spirit Airlines cancels hundreds of flights Pregnant woman stranded at LAX after Spirit Airlines cancels hundreds of flights Fishermen rescue woman fending off aggressive coyote on Cape Cod beach Fishermen rescue woman fending off aggressive coyote on Cape Cod beach Fishermen rescue woman fending off aggressive coyote on Cape Cod beach COVID-19: What to know about symptoms, the delta variant and vaccines COVID-19: What to know about symptoms, the delta variant and vaccines COVID-19: What to know about symptoms, the delta variant and vaccines COVID-19 lung X-rays show difference between vaccinated, unvaccinated patients COVID-19 lung X-rays show difference between vaccinated, unvaccinated patients COVID-19 lung X-rays show difference between vaccinated, unvaccinated patients Man, 60, shot in chest in Kensington, walks into hospital; police say he is in extremely critical condition Man, 60, shot in chest in Kensington, walks into hospital; police say he is in extremely critical condition Man, 60, shot in chest in Kensington, walks into hospital; police say he is in extremely critical condition Get Location-Based Weather Alerts! 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