Pennsylvania has reported 1,211 new coronavirus cases today, raising the statewide total to 7,016.
At least 90 have died, including 16 new fatalities today, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health. Cases have been reported in 62 of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties.
Seven deaths have been reported in the Harrisburg region, including two newly reported fatalities today in Lancaster and York counties.
The health department posted new numbers today. It’s the largest one-day increase in cases to date.
The bulk of the cases have been reported in the Philadelphia area. But cases are rising across the commonwealth, including central Pennsylvania.
Most of those who have been screened have tested negative for the virus. There are 47,698 patients who have tested negative. The department no longer reports the number of pending test results since the bulk of the testing is now done in commercial laboratories.
Philadelphia leads the state with 1,852 cases and 13 deaths. Montgomery County is second in the number of cases (735) and tied for third in fatalities with Northampton County (9). Monroe County, with a much smaller population than Philadelphia, is second in fatalities statewide with 10.
In central Pennsylvania, Lancaster County leads the region with 203 cases and 4 deaths. York County has topped 100 cases, the second highest figure in the midstate. Today, York County reported its first death due to the virus, the health department said. Other counties in the Harrisburg region continue to see more cases.
Here’s a look at the total number of cases in the rest of the midstate counties: Dauphin (67, including 1 death); Lebanon (45); Cumberland (41, including 1 death); Franklin (23); Adams (18); and Perry (3).
In western Pennsylvania, Allegheny County has topped 400 cases. Other counties in the western part of the state continue to see more cases.
Gov. Tom Wolf has taken aggressive steps to stem the spread of the coronavirus. On Wednesday, the governor issued a statewide order for all residents to stay at home except for essential trips. He had previously issued stay-at-home orders for a host of counties, including the Philadelphia and Pittsburgh areas, but held off on extending the order across the commonwealth.
“This virus is spreading rapidly," Wolf said. "It’s in every corner of our state.”
For perspective, the first coronavirus cases in Pennsylvania were reported on March 6.
Wolf and Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine have urged residents to practice social distancing and limit trips to the grocery store. They’ve said they worry that a surge of new patients could potentially overwhelm hospitals.
The governor has closed schools indefinitely. On Wednesday, Wolf said the state could allow students to move to their next grade level in the fall, based on the work they have completed before schools were shut down. School districts are moving to remote learning to deliver instruction to students.
Wolf has also ordered businesses that aren’t life-sustaining to shut down. Thousands of businesses have applied for waivers from the state to stay open, arguing that they are providing essential goods and services. Some trade groups have also complained the waiver process appears arbitrary, with some businesses being allowed to open while companies in the same sector are told they must remain closed.
Universities and colleges around Pennsylvania have moved to online instruction and said they won’t resume in-person classes for the rest of the semester.
The health department doesn’t offer statistics on how many people recover from the coronavirus. The department has said hospitals inform the state about positive cases but don’t report when patients are discharged. Most patients who contract the virus do recover.
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