Daily COVID-19 cases and tests, over time. Source: PA Department of Health
New COVID-19 cases in PA edged up again this past week, with the state reporting an average of more than 800 new daily diagnoses over the last seven days.
The average of 870 new cases over the past week is up from an average of 800 new cases per day last week and 733 the week before. The department reports that testing has also increased.
Just today, the department confirmed 1,213 newly positive cases throughout Pennsylvania.
With today’s update, 105,571 Pennsylvanians have now been diagnosed with the coronavirus since March, an increase of 6,093 over the past week, according to the state Department of Health.
Locally, diagnosed cases have generally risen more modestly than in the eastern and western parts of the state over the past week.
- Adams County: 441 cases (prior Friday, 410)
- Cumberland County: 1,090 cases (prior Friday, 995)
- Dauphin County: 2,499 cases (prior Friday, 2,366)
- Franklin County: 1,176 cases (prior Friday, 1,043)
- Lancaster County: 5,228 cases (prior Friday, 4,988)
- Lebanon County: 1,533 cases (prior Friday, 1,484)
- Perry County: 105 cases (prior Friday, 96)
- York County: 2,119 cases (prior Friday, 1,963)
Overall, 9.5 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 198 new cases, while Philadelphia County reported 227.
The department also reported an additional 109 deaths since last Friday, meaning that 7,101 Pennsylvanians have died from the disease since March.
Around central PA, the COVID-19 fatality data now stands as follows:
- Adams County: 17 deaths (prior Friday, 15)
- Cumberland County: 70 deaths (prior Friday, 68)
- Dauphin County: 152 deaths (prior Friday, 150)
- Franklin County: 46 deaths (prior Friday, 46)
- Lancaster County: 400 deaths (prior Friday, 390)
- Lebanon County: 54 deaths (prior Friday, 51)
- Perry County: 5 deaths (prior Friday, 5)
- York County: 79 deaths (prior Friday, 70)
Statewide, Philadelphia County continues to have the most confirmed cases with 24,630 cases, followed by Montgomery County with 9,385 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, 4,844, 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 18,991 resident cases of COVID-19, and 3,727 cases among employees, for a total of 22,728 at 813 distinct facilities in 60 counties, according to the health department.
In addition, about 7,827 of total cases in PA are in health care workers.
Statewide, 1,104,948 coronavirus tests have been performed, with 999,377 people testing negative, according to the state health department. Last Friday, the state reported that 999,390 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
- 8 percent are aged 19-24
- 37 percent are aged 25-49
- 23 percent are aged 50-64
- 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.
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.
