The state Department of Health’s shaded coronavirus map
Pennsylvania today continued to set a new daily mark for cases of COVID-19, with 756 new positive cases reported.
With the new cases, the commonwealth now has a total of 4,843 confirmed coronavirus cases, according to the state Department of Health. The latest tally is up from 4,087 total cases yesterday, when 693 new cases were reported.
Moreover, the health department also reported 14 additional deaths from the virus, bringing that total to 63 fatalities statewide, including the first in Dauphin County. In addition, three people have died in in Lancaster County, one more than yesterday, and one person has died in Cumberland County.
“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 60 of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties.
Locally, Dauphin County now has 45 confirmed cases, Cumberland County has 36 cases, Lancaster County has 123 cases, York County has 66 cases, Lebanon County has 28 cases, Adams County has nine cases and Perry County has one case.
Philadelphia County continues to have the most confirmed cases with 1,197 cases, followed by Montgomery County with 570 cases.
Statewide, 42,488 coronavirus tests have been performed, with 37,645 testing negative, according to the state health department. Yesterday, the state reported that 37,864 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
- Less than 1 percent are aged 5-12
- 1 percent are aged 13-18
- Nearly 10 percent are aged 19-24
- Nearly 41 percent are aged 25-49
- Nearly 29 percent are aged 50-64
- Nearly 19 percent are aged 65 or older.
Most of the patients hospitalized are aged 65 or older, as are most of the patients who have died, according to the department. There have been no pediatric deaths to date.
In addition, the Pennsylvania State Police yesterday issued 11 warnings over the weekend for failure to comply with Gov. Tom Wolf’s order that “non life-sustaining” businesses shut their physical locations. The police have now issued 107 warnings since last Monday, but have not yet issued any citations.
The state has also issued “stay-at-home” orders for people in 26 counties. Locally, that includes Dauphin, Cumberland, Lancaster and York counties.
“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.”
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.
