Pennsylvania reports 3rd consecutive day of more than 2,000 coronavirus cases; 29 new deaths

Pennsylvania on Saturday reported 2,043 new coronavirus cases — a dip from yesterday’s record-setting 2,219 — but still the third consecutive day the state has posted more than 2,000 cases.

The state Department of Health reported 29 new deaths attributed to the coronavirus after posting 33 Friday, which matched the week’s high on Tuesday.

The total number of covid-19 deaths in Pennsylvania is 8,654.

The new data bring the total cases to 192,622. Officials said 8,323 are considered probable cases.

The state said there were 232,253 people tested from Sunday to Friday with 11,679 positive cases — for a 5% positivity rate.

Out of the new cases, 131 — or 6.4% — are from Allegheny County. Philadelphia reported an increase of 287, accounting for nearly 14% of the state’s cases. Westmoreland County reported 72 cases (3.5%).

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 made up 5% of the new cases in April, while accounting for 12% 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 2.21 million people in Pennsylvania have tested negative for the virus; in total, just more than 2.4 million people have been tested for the virus in the state.

The positivity rate is 8%.

As of Saturday, 78% of people who tested positive have recovered, 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, there have been 25,252 cases in residents and 5,489 in employees.

There have been 5,702 deaths at nursing and personal care homes. These deaths account for nearly 66% of the state’s total. About 1,043 nursing facilities have been affected by the virus.

Of the total, 11,971 coronavirus cases stem from health care workers.