An image from the PA Department of Health lab in Exton
New positive COVID-19 cases remained around 1,500 for a third straight day, today jumping by 1,470 in Pennsylvania.
The commonwealth has now recorded 12,980 cases since the first case was recorded about a month ago.
The state Department of Health on Saturday reported the highest one-day total of 1,597 new cases since the pandemic reached Pennsylvania. On Sunday, there were 1,493 new cases.
The health department today also reported another 12 deaths; 162 people have died from the disease statewide.
Locally, Lancaster County now has 11 fatalities, three more than yesterday. Fatalities in other midstate counties were unchanged: two in Cumberland County and one each in Dauphin, Perry and York counties.
“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 65 of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties.
Locally, Dauphin County now has 132 confirmed cases, Cumberland County has 68 cases, Lancaster County has 408 cases, York County has 189 cases, Lebanon County has 124 cases, Adams County has 25 cases and Perry County has five cases.
Philadelphia County continues to have the most confirmed cases with 3,611 cases, followed by Montgomery County with 1,230 cases.
Statewide, 83,854 coronavirus tests have been performed, with 70,874 people testing negative, according to the state health department. Yesterday, the state reported that 77,771 people had been tested for the virus.
“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.”
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
- 7 percent are aged 19-24
- Nearly 42 percent are aged 25-49
- 29 percent are aged 50-64
- Nearly 20 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, over the weekend, the Pennsylvania State Police issued 28 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 191 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.
