Pennsylvania on Saturday reported 796 new coronavirus cases, as the case count inches slowly upward from the weekly average of 688.
The state Department of Health reported 18 new deaths attributed to coronavirus after posting 20 on Friday. Sunday’s total of 33 was the highest total of the week.
Saturday’s reported deaths happened between July 29 and Aug. 20.
The total number of covid-19 deaths in Pennsylvania is 7,576.
The new data brings the total cases to 128,429. Officials said 645 are considered probable cases.
Out of the new cases, 61 — or nearly 7.7% — are from Allegheny County. Philadelphia reported an increase of 115, accounting for nearly 14.5% of the state’s cases.
More than 1.54 million people in the state have been tested for the virus.
The positivity rate is nearly 8.3%.
As of Saturday, 80% of people who tested positive have recovered from the virus, state officials said.
According to the Health Department, the most severe cases are seen in patients over the age of 65. More than half of the cases in Pennsylvania are seen in patients age 50 or older.
In nursing and personal care homes alone, there have been 20,665 cases in residents and 4,368 cases in employees.
There have been 5,125 deaths at nursing and personal care homes — a number that hasn’t changed since yesterday. These deaths account for just under 68% of the state’s total. About 826 nursing facilities have been affected by the virus.
Of the total, 9,276 coronavirus cases stem from health care workers.
Officials continue to urge people to use caution — mainly by maintaining social distance and wearing masks.
“The mitigation efforts in place now are essential as the new school year approaches and we work to ensure our children can get back to learning,” Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said. “Wearing a mask, practicing social distancing, and following the requirements set forth in the orders for bars and restaurants, gatherings and telework will help keep our case counts low.”
