Officials Watching Concerning Coronavirus Data In 12 PA Counties

HARRISBURG, PA — Pennsylvania's total coronavirus cases topped 95,000 Sunday, after 725 additional positives were reported. On Monday, 328 additional positive cases were reported, bringing the statewide total to 95,742.

State officials say they're watching concerning data reflecting positive test rates in at least 12 counties.

While the statewide percent-positivity rate of tests is at 4.4 percent, several counties have concerning rates, the governor's office said.

Those counties include:

• Allegheny (7.9 percent)
• Beaver (6.3 percent)
• Butler (5.5 percent)
• Clarion (14.6 percent)
• Fayette (5.2 percent)
• Greene (5.4 percent)
• Lawrence (5.8 percent)
• Lebanon (5.6 percent)
• Philadelphia (5.1 percent)
• Washington (7.2 percent)
• Westmoreland (5.4 percent)
• York (6.3 percent)

The World Health Organization has said positivity rates should be under 5 percent.

"Each of these counties bears watching as the state continues to monitor all available data," Gov. Wolf's office said in a news release. You can view the percent-positivity rate for all counties here.

Pennsylvania Health Secretary Rachel Levine, speaking during a Monday news conference, said there are no plans at this time to use "dramatic statewide measures" such as shutdown orders or a reversion to the yellow phase.

"Clearly we are seeing cases across the United States skyrocket," Levine said, noting "we are very carefully monitoring data from across the state to ensure we are staying on the right track."

Residents ages 19 to 45 now account for 45 percent of cases. Levine said while people in that age group generally have a better outcome, they risk spreading the virus to those who are older and more vulnerable to the disease.

"There are things we can do right now to stop this cycle," she said, emphasizing the importance of wearing a mask.

Allegheny County, which has experienced a resurgence of coronavirus cases, on Monday reported 71 new cases. It was the first time the daily number has been under triple digits in nearly two weeks.

But local officials are not celebrating just yet.

"While we are glad to see today's low number of positive cases, we are not reading anything into a single low number," Allegheny Health Department officials said in a statement. "Testing over the weekend is typically lower, meaning that there is a decrease in cases and tests reported on a Monday. Additionally, we have heard that the increased volume of residents being tested has also slowed the reporting process down."