COVID-19 cases and tests, over time. Source: PA Department of Health
New COVID-19 cases in PA rose once more over the past week, as the commonwealth averaged just over 800 new cases per day.
Since last Friday, Pennsylvania recorded an average of 810 newly diagnosed cases per day, according to the Department of Health.
This compares to an average of 622 new daily cases last week, and 669 and 810 new daily cases per day for the prior two weeks, respectively. The department also reports that testing has generally increased over this time (see chart).
Locally, diagnosed cases over the past week are as follows:
- Adams County: 697 cases (prior Friday, 599)
- Cumberland County: 1,578 cases (prior Friday, 1,496)
- Dauphin County: 3,410 cases (prior Friday, 3,246)
- Franklin County: 1,559 cases (prior Friday, 1,499)
- Lancaster County: 6,960 cases (prior Friday, 6,623)
- Lebanon County: 1,748 cases (prior Friday, 1,705)
- Perry County: 178 cases (prior Friday, 174)
- York County: 3,667 cases (prior Friday, 3,269)
Today, the department confirmed 891 newly positive cases throughout Pennsylvania for the past 24 hours ending at midnight.
With today’s update, 137,662 Pennsylvanians have now been diagnosed with the coronavirus, an increase of 5,671 over the past week, according to the state Department of Health.
The department also reported an additional 87 deaths since last Friday, meaning that 7,742 Pennsylvanians have died from the disease since March.
Around central PA, COVID-19 fatalities now stand as follows:
- Adams County: 23 deaths (prior Friday, 23)
- Cumberland County: 72 deaths (prior Friday, 72)
- Dauphin County: 165 deaths (prior Friday, 163)
- Franklin County: 47 deaths (prior Friday, 46)
- Lancaster County: 438 deaths (prior Friday, 429)
- Lebanon County: 57 deaths (prior Friday, 57)
- Perry County: 5 deaths (prior Friday, 5)
- York County: 127 deaths (prior Friday, 118)
Statewide, Philadelphia County continues to have the most confirmed cases with 29,652 cases, followed by Montgomery County with 11,237 cases. The two counties also have reported the most deaths statewide from the disease: 1,771 and 863, respectively.
“The mitigation efforts in place now are essential as the new school year approaches, and we work to ensure our children can get back to learning,” health Secretary Rachel Levine said. “Wearing a mask, practicing social distancing, and following the requirements set forth in the orders for bars and restaurants, gatherings and telework will help keep our case counts low.”
PA nursing homes and personal care facilities have been particularly hard hit by the virus. Of total deaths, 5,235, or 67.6 percent, have occurred in residents from nursing or personal care facilities, according to the health department.
In nursing and personal care homes, there are 21,307 resident cases of COVID-19, and 4,564 cases among employees, for a total of 25,871 at 942 distinct facilities in 61 counties, according to the health department.
In addition, about 9,813 of total cases in PA are in health care workers.
Statewide, 1,758,488 individuals have had coronavirus tests, with 1,576,879 people testing negative, according to the state health department. Last Friday, the state reported that 1,620,826 people had been tested for the virus.
The state reports a total of 2,352,923 tests. This number includes many people, such as health care workers, who have been tested more than once.
Of the patients who have tested positive to date, the age breakdown is as follows, according to the health department:
- About 1 percent are aged 0-4
- Nearly 2 percent are aged 5-12
- About 4 percent are aged 13-18
- Nearly 11 percent are aged 19-24
- About 37 percent are aged 25-49
- About 22 percent are aged 50-64
- About 23 percent are aged 65 or older.
Most of the patients hospitalized are 65 or older, as are most of the reported deaths, according to the state. However, the health department has emphasized that, increasingly, more younger people are being diagnosed with COVID-19.
Levine continued to emphasize that Pennsylvanians should do the following:
- Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
- Cover any coughs or sneezes with your elbow, not your hands.
- Clean surfaces frequently.
- Stay home to avoid spreading COVID-19, especially if you are unwell.
- Wear a mask whenever out of your house.
“Together, as Pennsylvanians, we each have a part to play in working to ensure that cases of COVID-19 remain low,” Levine said.
For more information, visit the PA Department of Health’s COVID-19 website.
Currently, we are providing a COVID-19 update weekly, each Friday, or as breaking news warrants.
