Pennsylvania reports over 11,000 new coronavirus cases

Pennsylvania on Thursday reported its highest number of new single-day covid-19 cases since the pandemic started in March with 11,406 cases.

The state also reported 187 new deaths attributed to the coronavirus.

The new cases bring the total number in the state to 386,837. The state’s seven-day average climbed to a record 7,226 cases and the county’s seven-day total cases is 50,583, also a record high.

The department stated that 381,784 tests were administered within the last seven days between Nov. 26 and Wednesday with 47,602 positive cases.

More than 3.2 million people in the state have been tested for the virus.

The positivity rate among the latest cases is 15.78%.

The department reported 187 new deaths attributed to coronavirus Thursday after posting 194 on Wednesday and 180 on Tuesday. The state total stands at 10,944.

Many counties saw a large increase in cases: Allegheny County saw 1,028 new cases, Westmoreland County had 400, and Philadelphia County had 984 new cases. Beaver County added 204, their highest single-day total.

According to the state covid-19 dashboard, there are 5,071 people hospitalized with covid-19. Of that number, 1,065 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.

On Thursday morning Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said that more than one-third of hospitals in Southwestern Pennsylvania anticipate staffing shortages in the coming week. She noted the rising number of covid-19 hospital admissions across the state — about 5,000 as of Thursday morning — and called the rising admissions a significant concern.

The state stressed that mask-wearing is required in all businesses and whenever leaving home.