Daily COVID-19 cases and tests, over time. Source: PA Department of Health
New COVID-19 cases in PA fell considerably over the past week, as the commonwealth averaged fewer than 700 new cases per day.
Since last Friday, Pennsylvania recorded an average of 669 new daily diagnosed cases, according to the Department of Health.
This compares to an average of 810 new daily cases last week and 747 and 925 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: 561 cases (prior Friday, 544)
- Cumberland County: 1,424 cases (prior Friday, 1,353)
- Dauphin County: 3,073 cases (prior Friday, 2,940)
- Franklin County: 1,448 cases (prior Friday, 1,407)
- Lancaster County: 6,393 cases (prior Friday, 6,146)
- Lebanon County: 1,663 cases (prior Friday, 1,640)
- Perry County: 155 cases (prior Friday, 132)
- York County: 3,038 cases (prior Friday, 2,801)
Today, the department confirmed 693 newly positive cases throughout Pennsylvania for the past 24 hours ending at midnight.
With today’s update, 127,633 Pennsylvanians have now been diagnosed with the coronavirus, an increase of 4,683 over the past week, according to the state Department of Health.
Overall, 8.3 percent of PA residents tested have shown to be positive for the virus.
The department also reported an additional 113 deaths since last Friday, meaning that 7,558 Pennsylvanians have died from the disease since March.
Around central PA, COVID-19 fatalities now stand as follows:
- Adams County: 23 deaths (prior Friday, 22)
- Cumberland County: 71 deaths (prior Friday, 71)
- Dauphin County: 161 deaths (prior Friday, 160)
- Franklin County: 46 deaths (prior Friday, 46)
- Lancaster County: 427 deaths (prior Friday, 420)
- Lebanon County: 56 deaths (prior Friday, 55)
- Perry County: 5 deaths (prior Friday, 5)
- York County: 112 deaths (prior Friday, 105)
Statewide, Philadelphia County continues to have the most confirmed cases with 28,052 cases, followed by Montgomery County with 10,607 cases. The two counties also have reported the most deaths statewide from the disease: 1,758 and 861, 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, 5,121, or 67.7 percent, have occurred in residents from nursing or personal care facilities, according to the health department.
In nursing and personal care homes, there are 20,594 resident cases of COVID-19, and 4,336 cases among employees, for a total of 24,930 at 910 distinct facilities in 61 counties, according to the health department.
In addition, about 9,203 of total cases in PA are in health care workers.
Statewide, 1,527,142 coronavirus tests have been performed, with 1,399,509 people testing negative, according to the state health department. Last Friday, the state reported that 1,427,689 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:
- 1 percent are aged 0-4
- Nearly 2 percent are aged 5-12
- Nearly 4 percent are aged 13-18
- Nearly 10 percent are aged 19-24
- Nearly 38 percent are aged 25-49
- Nearly 23 percent are aged 50-64
- Nearly 24 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.
