The state Department of Health’s shaded COVID-19 map for Thursday
Daily new coronavirus cases have exceeded 1,000 for the first time in Pennsylvania, as the state Department of Health today reported another record caseload.
The department said that Pennsylvania had 1,211 new positive COVID-19 cases as of midnight, bringing the commonwealth’s total to 7,016 since the outbreak began in early March.
Yesterday, the state Department of Health reported 962 new positive cases.
The department also reported 16 more deaths from the virus, bringing that total to 90 fatalities. This includes additional fatalities in central PA. Lancaster County has now reported four deaths from the disease, with Dauphin, York and Cumberland counties all reporting one death.
“The continued rise in cases combined with our increasing deaths from COVID-19 reflects the seriousness of this situation,” Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said.
The virus has now spread to 62 of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties.
Locally, Dauphin County now has 67 confirmed cases, Cumberland County has 41 cases, Lancaster County has 203 cases, York County has 102 cases, Lebanon County has 45 cases, Adams County has 18 cases and Perry County has three cases.
Philadelphia County continues to have the most confirmed cases with 1,852 cases, followed by Montgomery County with 735 cases.
Statewide, 54,714 coronavirus tests have been performed, with 47,698 testing negative, according to the state health department. Yesterday, the state reported that 48,232 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 9 percent are aged 19-24
- Nearly 41 percent are aged 25-49
- Nearly 29 percent are aged 50-64
- 19 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.
“We need everyone to listen to the orders in place and to stay calm, stay home and stay safe,” Levine said. “We know that these prolonged mitigation effects have been difficult for everyone, but it is essential that everyone follows these orders and does not go out unless they absolutely must.”
In addition, the Pennsylvania State Police yesterday issued 13 warnings over the weekend 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 136 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.
