The state Department of Health’s shaded COVID-19 map
Positive COVID-19 cases reached another daily high today, as the state Department of Health reported 1,680 additional cases in Pennsylvania.
As of midnight, 16,239 people have now tested positive for COVID-19 since the disease was first detected in Pennsylvania about a month ago.
Moreover, the state reported another 70 deaths from the disease, bringing the statewide total to 310 fatalities.
Locally, Lancaster County now has 16 COVID-19-related fatalities, two more than yesterday. Dauphin County now has two deaths, one more than yesterday. Deaths in other midstate counties were unchanged: two in Cumberland and York counties and one in Perry County.
“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 now has spread to all of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties.
Locally, Dauphin County now has 168 confirmed cases, Cumberland County has 84 cases, Lancaster County has 561 cases, York County has 233 cases, Lebanon County has 169 cases, Adams County has 33 cases and Perry County has 13 cases.
Philadelphia County continues to have the most confirmed cases statewide with 4,456 cases, followed by Montgomery County with 1,521 cases. The two counties also have reported the most deaths from the disease: 87 and 37, respectively.
Statewide, 98,538 coronavirus tests have been performed, with 82,299 people testing negative, according to the state health department. Yesterday, the state reported that 91,278 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
- Nearly 7 percent are aged 19-24
- 41 percent are aged 25-49
- 29 percent are aged 50-64
- 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, the Pennsylvania State Police issued three more 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 208 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.
