COVID-19 cases and tests, over time. Source: PA Department of Health
New COVID-19 cases in PA rose modestly again this past week, with the state reporting an average of more than 900 new daily diagnoses over the last seven days.
The average of 925 new cases over the past week is up from an average of 870 new cases per day last week and 800 the week before. The department reports that testing also has increased.
Locally, diagnosed cases have generally risen at a slower pace than in the eastern and western parts of the state over the past week.
- Adams County: 462 cases (prior Friday, 441)
- Cumberland County: 1,203 cases (prior Friday, 1,090)
- Dauphin County: 2,640 cases (prior Friday, 2,499)
- Franklin County: 1,268 cases (prior Friday, 1,176)
- Lancaster County: 5,525 cases (prior Friday, 5,228)
- Lebanon County: 1,563 cases (prior Friday, 1,533)
- Perry County: 113 cases (prior Friday, 105)
- York County: 2,269 cases (prior Friday, 2,119)
Today, the department confirmed 970 newly positive cases throughout Pennsylvania for the past 24 hours ending at midnight.
With today’s update, 112,048 Pennsylvanians have now been diagnosed with the coronavirus, an increase of 6,477 over the past week, according to the state Department of Health.
Overall, 9.2 percent of PA residents tested have shown to be positive for the virus.
Much of the recent increase has originated from Allegheny and Philadelphia counties. For instance, over just the past 24 hours, Allegheny reported 244 new cases, while Philadelphia County reported 130.
The health department also reported an additional 88 deaths since last Friday, meaning that 7,189 Pennsylvanians have died from the disease since March.
Around central PA, the COVID-19 fatality data now stands as follows:
- Adams County: 20 deaths (prior Friday, 17)
- Cumberland County: 70 deaths (prior Friday, 70)
- Dauphin County: 155 deaths (prior Friday, 152)
- Franklin County: 46 deaths (prior Friday, 46)
- Lancaster County: 406 deaths (prior Friday, 400)
- Lebanon County: 54 deaths (prior Friday, 54)
- Perry County: 5 deaths (prior Friday, 5)
- York County: 86 deaths (prior Friday, 79)
Statewide, Philadelphia County continues to have the most confirmed cases with 25,664 cases, followed by Montgomery County with 9,761 cases. The two counties also have reported the most deaths statewide from the disease: 1,665 and 844, respectively.
“As the state has put in place new mitigation efforts to offset recent case increases, we must renew our commitment to protecting against COVID-19 by wearing a mask, practicing social distancing and following the requirements set forth in the orders for bars and restaurants, gatherings and telework,” health Secretary Rachel Levine said.
Nursing homes and personal care facilities have been particularly hard hit by the virus. Of total deaths, 4,904, or 68.2 percent, have occurred in residents from nursing or personal care facilities, according to the health department.
In nursing and personal care homes, there are 19,484 resident cases of COVID-19, and 3,934 cases among employees, for a total of 23,418 at 850 distinct facilities in 61 counties, according to the health department.
In addition, about 8,214 of total cases in PA are in health care workers.
Statewide, 1,216,872 coronavirus tests have been performed, with 1,104,824 people testing negative, according to the state health department. Last Friday, the state reported that 1,104,948 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
- 1 percent are aged 5-12
- 3 percent are aged 13-18
- 9 percent are aged 19-24
- 37 percent are aged 25-49
- Nearly 23 percent are aged 50-64
- Nearly 25 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.
“Pennsylvania has been a model for the country on how to reopen effectively using a careful, measured approach,” Levine said. “However, we know the virus has not gone away as we see cases rise, so we must work together to stop another surge.”
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.
