Letter to the editor: Questions about Pa. covid-19 rates

Using Pennsylvania Department of Health data, the covid-19 death rate is around 120 per 100,000 residents in Pennsylvania’s southeast counties. That is nearly four times the rate of 33 in Allegheny County. Westmoreland County at 23 is nearly five times less, and the McKean/Potter/Warren area, with about 4 per 100,000, is just 3.3% of the Philadelphia area.

The Pennsylvania Health Department, I believe, is still using Carnegie Mellon University for data reviews. Hope they comment and, in addition, add some data proving where covid-19 is no worse than seasonal flu. And for what age? Is it 40 or 50? And is flu worse for hospitalizations, not just test results under what age?

Frank Kushner

Delmont