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New COVID-19 cases continue to climb, reach almost 2,000 in PA

The state Department of Health’s shaded case map

Newly diagnosed COVID-19 cases neared 2,000 in Pennsylvania today, as the state reported the highest daily new caseload to date.

The state Department of Health said that 1,989 people have tested positive for the virus as of midnight. The previous single-day record, reached yesterday, was 1,680 new cases.

Since the outbreak began in Pennsylvania about a month ago, 18,228 patients have been diagnosed with COVID-19.

The state also reported another 29 deaths from the disease, bringing the statewide total to 338 fatalities.

Locally, Lancaster County now has 17 COVID-19-related fatalities, one more than yesterday, and Adams County reported its first fatality. York County now has recorded three fatalities, one more than yesterday. Deaths in other midstate counties were unchanged: two in Cumberland and Dauphin counties and one in Perry County.

“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 180 confirmed cases, Cumberland County has 88 cases, Lancaster County has 596 cases, York County has 250 cases, Lebanon County has 187 cases, Adams County has 38 cases and Perry County has 15 cases.

Philadelphia County continues to have the most confirmed cases with 5,029 cases, followed by Montgomery County with 1,693 cases. The two counties also have reported the most deaths from the disease: 86 and 37, respectively.

Statewide, 105,602 coronavirus tests have been performed, with 87,374 people testing negative, according to the state health department. Yesterday, the state reported that 98,538 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
  • 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.”

In addition, the Pennsylvania State Police issued 16 more warnings for failure to comply with Gov. Tom Wolf’s order that “non life-sustaining” businesses shut their physical locations. In all, the police have now issued 224 warnings, but have not yet issued any citations.

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.

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