Pa. reports more than 1,000 new covid-19 cases for 1st time since May 10

For the first time since May 10, the Pennsylvania Department of Health on Friday reported more than 1,000 new cases of covid-19.

There were 1,009 new cases and 32 new deaths from covid-19 reported Friday, bringing the totals to 93,876 cases and 6,880 deaths statewide. On May 10, there were 1,295 new cases reported.

Of the total cases, 91,206 are confirmed and 2,670 are probable.

A probable case is defined as “patients who have a positive serology test and either covid-19 symptoms or a high-risk exposure, which are considered probable cases and not confirmed cases,” the department said in a statement.

The most severe cases are seen in patients over the age of 65 and more than half of the cases in Pennsylvania are seen in patients age 50 or older.

However, according to a statement, “the department is seeing significant increases in the number of covid-19 cases among younger age groups, particularly 19- to 24-year-olds.”

In southwest Pennsylvania, 19- to 24-year-olds accounted for about 5% of cases in April but more than 28% of cases so far in July.

Of those who contracted the virus, 77% have recovered, with 804,764 people testing negative for the virus statewide.

All 67 Pennsylvania counties are in the green phase of Gov. Tom Wolf’s reopening plan.

In response to the surge in cases, Wolf issued a mask order for Pennsylvanians in public spaces and where social distancing is not possible.