Pennsylvania on Saturday reported 1,857 new coronavirus cases — a staggering 291-case jump from yesterday’s 1,566 — and the second-highest single-day total the state has ever reported.
The all-time high for the Keystone State has stood since April 9, when 1,989 cases were reported.
The state Department of Health reported nine new deaths attributed to the coronavirus after posting 25 on Friday. Wednesday’s total of 27 deaths was the highest of the week.
Of the deaths reported Saturday, eight occurred in October and one in September.
The total number of covid-19 deaths in Pennsylvania is 8,466.
The new data brings the total cases to 180,943. Officials said 1,673 are considered probable cases.
The state said there were 234,583 people tested from Oct. 10 to Oct. 16, with 9,778 positive cases — for a 4.2% positivity rate.
Out of the new cases, 138 — or 7.4% — are from Allegheny County. Philadelphia reported an increase of 193, accounting for nearly 10.4% of the state’s cases. Westmoreland County reported 102 cases (5.5%).
Officials have noted an increase in new cases from the 19- to 24-year-old age group.
For example, in Southwestern Pennsylvania, that age group only comprised 5% of the new cases in April, while accounting for 13% of the cases thus far in October.
“We know that congregation, especially in college and university settings, yields increased case counts,” said Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine. “The mitigation efforts in place now are essential to flattening the curve and saving lives.”
She urges people to continue to exercise caution when in public — mainly by maintaining social distance and wearing masks.
About 2.12 million people in Pennsylvania have tested negative for the virus; in total, just above 2.3 million people have been tested for the virus in the state.
The positivity rate is 8.5%.
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. This group accounts for the largest age demographic for both hospitalizations and deaths.
In nursing and personal care homes alone, there have been 24,482 cases in residents and 5,361 cases in employees.
There have been 5,608 deaths at nursing and personal care homes. These deaths account for about 66% of the state’s total. About 1,021 nursing facilities have been affected by the virus.
Of the total, 11,618 coronavirus cases stem from health care workers.
