The state’s shaded map of positive COVID-19 cases for Saturday.
More than 20,000 Pennsylvanians have now tested positive for COVID-19, though the new-case count was down for a second straight day.
The state Department of Health today reported 1,676 new cases as of midnight. Since the pandemic began in early March, a total of 21,655 residents have been diagnosed with the illness.
Today’s new-case figure is lower than the count both yesterday and Thursday.
The commonwealth, though, reported that another 78 more people have died from the disease, bringing the statewide total to 494 fatalities. Yesterday, the state also reported 78 fatalities.
Locally, Lancaster County now has 23 COVID-19-related fatalities, two more than yesterday, and both Dauphin and Cumberland counties have now reported three deaths, one more than yesterday in both counties. Deaths in other midstate counties were unchanged: three in York County and one each in Perry, Lebanon and Adams counties.
“Now more than ever, as we continue to see COVID-19 cases and deaths rise in Pennsylvania, we need Pennsylvanians to take action,” Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said. “Those actions should be to stay calm, stay home and stay safe.”
The virus has spread to all of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties.
Locally, Dauphin County now has 213 confirmed cases, 14 more than yesterday. Cumberland County has 105 cases, Lancaster County has 698 cases, York County has 293 cases, Lebanon County has 232 cases, Adams County has 44 cases and Perry County has 16 cases.
Philadelphia County continues to have the most confirmed cases with 6,022 cases, followed by Montgomery County with 2,053 cases. The two counties also have reported the most deaths from the disease: 130 and 60, respectively.
Statewide, 120,153 coronavirus tests have been performed, with 98,498 people testing negative, according to the state health department. Yesterday, the state reported that 105,602 people had been tested for the virus.
Of the patients who have tested positive to date, the age breakdown is as follows, according to the health department:
- Less than 1 percent are aged 0-4
- Nearly 1 percent are aged 5-12
- 1 percent are aged 13-18
- Nearly 7 percent are aged 19-24
- Nearly 41 percent are aged 25-49
- 29 percent are aged 50-64
- 21 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. There have been no pediatric deaths to date.
“If you must go out, please limit it to as few trips as possible and wear a mask to protect not only yourself, but other people as well,” Levine said. “We need all Pennsylvanians to heed these efforts to protect our vulnerable Pennsylvanians, and also our healthcare workers and frontline responders.”
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.
For more information, visit the PA Department of Health’s COVID-19 website.
