Pennsylvania reports 686 more covid-19 cases, 49 more deaths

Pennsylvania officials on Friday reported 49 more covid-19 deaths and 686 additional cases, bringing the state’s total number of cases to 77,999, according to health officials.

A total of 6,162 people have died from the virus.

Approximately 5,931 of the total cases are in health care workers. There are 629 patients who have a positive serology test and have either covid-19 symptoms or a high-risk exposure, which are considered probable cases, but not confirmed.

There are 488,385 patients who tested negative to date.

State officials Monday mandated that universal testing take place in Pennsylvania’s nursing homes and long-term care facilities. Most hospitalized patients and most who have died from covid-19 are age 65 or older.

Nursing home and personal care home residents account for 16,450 of positive cases, as well as 2,899 positive cases among their employees. Of the state’s 6,162 deaths, almost 4,250 have been residents of nursing or personal care homes.