Pennsylvania reports 220 new coronavirus deaths, 8,703 new cases

Pennsylvania’s Department of Health on Wednesday reported 220 new deaths attributed to the coronavirus, its highest increase since May.

The death toll for the state stands at 11,762. There have been 1,199 deaths reported this month.

The state also reported 8,703 new coronavirus cases, a slight decline from Tuesday’s report.

The new cases in the state bring the total number of cases to 445,317. The state’s seven-day average climbed to a record 9,984 cases and the seven-day total cases is 69,886, also a record high.

Allegheny County recorded 727 new cases, while Westmoreland County saw 197 new cases for the day.

The state noted that more than 2.9 million people in the state have tested negative for the virus.

According to the state covid-19 dashboard, there are 5,852 people hospitalized with covid-19. Of that number, 1,191 patients are in the intensive care unit. Most of the patients hospitalized are ages 65 or older, and most of the deaths have occurred in patients 65 or older.

According to the state, there are 40,983 resident cases of covid-19 in nursing and personal care homes, and 7,585 cases among employees, for a total of 48,568 at 1,363 distinct facilities.

Out of the total number of deaths, 7,215 have occurred in residents from nursing or personal care facilities.

Approximately 16,021 of the total cases in the state are among health care workers.

As cases continue to rise, Western Pennsylvania officials and businesses expect an announcement from the state soon, though Gov. Tom Wolf’s office said there is no announcement scheduled regarding new restrictions. The Department of Health likewise said there would be no press briefing Wednesday.

The department said that mask-wearing is required in all businesses, stressing that mask-wearing is one way to help prevent the spread of covid-19.