The Pennsylvania Department of Health reported on Tuesday an increase of 834 cases of coronavirus, as well as 19 more deaths.
Pennsylvania’s case count is now up to 151,646 COVID-19 cases, and its death toll sits at 8,023.
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Coronavirus in Pa.
More than one-third of Tuesday’s 834 new cases belong to Centre County and Philadelphia County. Centre County had an increase of 195, while Philadelphia added 121. Centre County’s new cases contributed to a more than 10% rise in its total, which is now at 2,095. Largely centered at Penn State University, the outbreak in State College and University Park has resulted in 1,371 cases since Aug. 7, though most have come in the month of September.
According to the university’s COVID-19 dashboard, only 656 of those cases are no longer active. Despite multiple weeks of alarming numbers, not much is changing — according to the Centre Daily Times, 195 is the second-highest daily increase of cases.
Seven other counties had at least 30 new cases, but none of those more than 42.
The seven-day rolling average for new cases is now at 776, the first time in a week that the average dipped below 800. However, deaths are back up to a 21-per-day seven-day average, the highest since Aug. 18. Last week, it had dipped as low at 10. The state’s seven-day positivity rate is currently 6.2%, its lowest since Sept. 4
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Coronavirus in the Lehigh Valley
The Lehigh Valley saw an increase of 20 new cases, as of Tuesday’s report; 11 of them were in Lehigh County, while Northampton County had nine new cases. Neither county reported any new deaths.
Lehigh County now has 5,505 total cases and 350 deaths, while Northampton County has 4,403 cases and 304 deaths. The region as a whole has had 9,908 cases of coronavirus and 654 coronavirus-related deaths.
Because of a week of relatively high new-case amounts in Northampton County last week, the Lehigh Valley’s total seven-day rolling average is currently at about 31 new cases per day. While ideally Northampton County returns to more stable numbers, it’s not unrealistic to guess that the Lehigh Valley crosses the 10,000 total case mark by the end of the week, being only 92 cases away.
Here is how the Lehigh Valley’s neighboring Pennsylvania counties are faring with the coronavirus, from the state’s data:
- Berks County has 6,903 total cases and 391 deaths, with 41 new cases and no new deaths reported in the last day.
- Bucks County has 8,590 total cases and 606 deaths, with 17 new cases and three new deaths reported in the last day.
- Carbon County has 452 total cases and 28 deaths, with three new cases and no deaths reported in the last day.
- Monroe County has 1,779 total cases and 131 deaths, with four new cases and one new death reported in the last day.
- Montgomery County has 11,992 total cases and 876 deaths, with 30 new cases and two new deaths reported in the last day.
- Schuylkill County has 1,068 total cases and 52 deaths, with three new cases and no new deaths reported in the last day.
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Pennsylvania launches new coronavirus alert app
Using a $1.9 million contract with federal grant money, the state of Pennsylvania has developed a new app with Ireland-based developer NearForm Ltd. that will help notify people if they have been exposed to COVID-19.
COVID Alert PA is now available in app stores.
The app, which is only usable by those 18 and older, will notify someone if they have potentially been exposed to the coronavirus. The app relies on Bluetooth technology, notifying an app user if they’ve been in close proximity or contact with another app user who later tests positive for the coronavirus.
In addition to exposure notification, the app will have up-to-date information on case counts, hospitalizations and deaths.
Federal Judge denies Wolf’s pandemic restrictions stay request
On Tuesday, a federal judge denied Governor Tom Wolf’s request for a stay on the court decision that determined Wolf’s coronavirus restrictions to be unconstitutional.
U.S. Western District Judge William Stickman IV ruled on Sept. 14 that the closure of non-essential businesses, stay-at-home order and banning of large gatherings were “well-intentioned" but ultimately unconstitutional.
Wolf’s administration requested the stay last week while it appeals the decision that the mandates are unconstitutional.
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Connor Lagore may be reached at clagore@njadvancemedia.com.