An image from the state health department lab in Exton, Pa.
Deaths from the COVID-19 pandemic have spiked again in PA, while new-case data remained in a weeks-long range.
The state Department of Health today reported 1,716 total fatalities from the virus, 119 more than yesterday.
Around central PA, the COVID-19 fatality data now is as follows:
- Adams County: 1 death (yesterday, 1)
- Cumberland County: 10 deaths (yesterday, 9)
- Dauphin County: 20 deaths (yesterday, 21)
- Franklin County: 4 deaths (yesterday, 2)
- Lancaster County: 78 deaths (yesterday, 75)
- Lebanon County: 8 deaths (yesterday, 7)
- Perry County: 1 death (yesterday, 1)
- York County: 9 deaths (yesterday, 9)
In addition, the state health department recorded 1,214 new COVID-19 diagnoses, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 43,264 since the pandemic began in PA in early March.
Yesterday, the department reported 885 new cases, the fewest in almost a month. However, Health Secretary Rachel Levine has said previously that data reported on Mondays has tended to be lower because of less reporting to the state over the weekend.
The 1,214 new positive cases falls in the middle range of 1,000 to 1,500 new daily cases reported on most days for nearly three weeks. Almost 21 percent of all tests performed in the state have turned out positive for the virus.
“As we see the number of new COVID-19 cases continuously change across the state that does not mean we can stop practicing social distancing,” Levine said.
Locally, total diagnosed cases are as follows:
- Adams County: 124 cases (yesterday, 122)
- Cumberland County: 296 cases (yesterday, 282)
- Dauphin County: 553 cases (yesterday, 529)
- Franklin County: 237 cases (yesterday, 227)
- Lancaster County: 1,678 cases (yesterday, 1,633)
- Lebanon County: 635 cases (yesterday, 621)
- Perry County: 27 cases (yesterday, 26)
- York County: 614 cases (yesterday, 606)
Philadelphia County continues to have the most confirmed cases with 11,604 cases, followed by Montgomery County with 4,043 cases. The two counties also have reported the most deaths statewide from the disease: 276 and 249, respectively.
Nursing homes and personal care facilities have been particularly hard hit by the virus. Out of total deaths, 1,089, or about 63 percent, have occurred in residents from nursing or personal care facilities, according to the health department.
In nursing and personal care homes, there are 7,360 resident cases of COVID-19, and 920 cases among employees, for a total of 8,280 at 452 distinct facilities in 41 counties, according to the health department.
Statewide, 209,088 coronavirus tests have been performed, with 165,824 people testing negative, according to the state health department. Yesterday, the state reported that 203,422 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:
- Nearly 1 percent are aged 0-4
- Nearly 1 percent are aged 5-12
- 1 percent are aged 13-18
- Nearly 6 percent are aged 19-24
- 38 percent are aged 25-49
- 27 percent are aged 50-64
- 26 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.
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.
“We must continue to stay home to protect ourselves, our families and our community,” Levine said. “If you must go out, please make as few trips as possible and wear a mask to protect not only yourself, but others. We need all Pennsylvanians to continue to heed these efforts to protect our vulnerable Pennsylvanians, our health care workers and frontline responders.”
For more information, visit the PA Department of Health’s COVID-19 website.
