Greater Harrisburg's Community Magazine

New COVID-19 cases fewer than 1,000, lowest daily rate in weeks

Pennsylvania reported fewer than 1,000 new COVID-19 infections today for first time in about three weeks.

The state Department of Health today said that 948 Pennsylvanians were diagnosed with the virus as of midnight.

This is the lowest daily number of new cases reported since March 31.

With the additional cases, 33,232 state residents have now been diagnosed with the disease.

The health department also reported 92 additional deaths from the disease, bringing total fatalities in the commonwealth to 1,204.

As of midnight, the COVID-19 fatality data now is as follows:

  • Adams County: 1 death (unchanged)
  • Cumberland County: 4 deaths (unchanged)
  • Dauphin County: 9 deaths (unchanged)
  • Franklin County: 0 deaths
  • Lancaster County: 66 deaths (6 more than yesterday)
  • Lebanon County: 5 deaths (1 more than yesterday)
  • Perry County: 1 death (unchanged)
  • York County: 6 deaths (unchanged)

As of midnight, total diagnosed cases were as follows:

  • Adams County: 85 cases (yesterday, 80)
  • Cumberland County: 186 cases (yesterday, 182)
  • Dauphin County: 386 cases (yesterday, 368)
  • Franklin County: 115 cases (yesterday, 111)
  • Lancaster County: 1,236 cases (yesterday, 1,188)
  • Lebanon County: 502 cases (yesterday, 484)
  • Perry County: 20 cases (yesterday, 20)
  • York County: 493 cases (yesterday, 481)

“As we start to see the number of new COVID-19 cases decrease across the state that does not mean we can stop practicing social distancing,” said Secretary of Health Rachel Levine.

Philadelphia County continues to have the most confirmed cases with 9,038 cases, followed by Montgomery County with 3,040 cases. The two counties also have reported the most deaths from the disease: 262 and 184, respectively.

Statewide, 162,952 coronavirus tests have been performed, with 129,720 people testing negative, according to the state health department. Yesterday, the state reported that 158,854 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
  • 6 percent are aged 19-24
  • 39 percent are aged 25-49
  • 28 percent are aged 50-64
  • 24 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 must continue to stay home to protect ourselves, our families and our community,” Levine said. “If you must go out, please make as few trips as possible and wear a mask to protect not only yourself, but others. We need all Pennsylvanians to continue to heed these efforts to protect our vulnerable Pennsylvanians, our health care workers and frontline responders.”

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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