Allegheny County adds 61 new covid cases, 1 new death

Allegheny County added 61 new coronavirus cases and 1 new death Thursday.

The county’s seven-day average of daily news cases is 56, the lowest it’s been since June. The county reported 14 cases Wednesday and surpassed the 10,000 mark, on Tuesday there were 58 cases reported, while Monday had 29 cases.

Thursday’s 61 new cases were reported out of 1,084 test results, with 59 confirmed and two probable. The new cases range from 16-91 years, with a median age of 59. The positive tests ranged from June 22-Aug. 26, according to the county.

Dr. Debra Bogen, director of the Allegheny County Health Department, said Wednesday she is willing to consider easing the tight limit on outdoor gatherings, which right now is 50 people. That’s far lower than the state-imposed outdoor limit of 250. No timetable for an easing has been announced.

The county has seen a drop in cases in August with 1,905 total, though 68 deaths have been reported in the month. July brought a spike in cases with 5,224, but fewer deaths reported (43).

On Wednesday, the county also released covid-19 datasets detailing tests and cases, deaths by date, deaths by demographic group, and counts by municipality and Pittsburgh neighborhoods.

The data can be accessed on the Western Pennsylvania Regional Data Center website.

According to the Allegheny County Health Department’s covid-19 dashboard, 147,316 individuals have been tested for the virus. The county has an overall 7% positive test result rate.

Since March 14, there have been 10,065 cases of covid-19 in Allegheny County residents, 957 hospitalizations and 318 deaths.