Region branded with 'severe outbreak warning' Lawrence, Beaver and Allegheny counties log high percent positive rates for COVID-19 — well above the 5% threshold. Ellwood City Ledger A "severe outbreak" warning was issued for Lawrence, Beaver and Allegheny counties due to their relatively high percent positive rates for COVID-19. The region is urged to take all possible precautions to avoid exposure as the entire state continues to see an uptick in cases. The percent positive is a critical measure because it indicates how widespread the infection is in the area where the testing is occurring — and whether levels of testing are keeping up with levels of virus transmission. The Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization recommend the threshold for percent positive rate remain below 5%.