929 new coronavirus cases, 20 new deaths reported in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania saw a significant increase in new covid-19 cases Tuesday, with the Department of Health logging 929 new cases.

Health officials reported 20 more people have now died from the disease in Pennsylvania, bringing the total to 6,931.

Of today’s new case count, the state reported 216 were a result of a delay in private lab result reporting. The vast majority did not occur within the past 24 hours.

A total of 96,671 people have tested positive for coronavirus in Pennsylvania.

The latest report is based on 15,809 new tests, for a positivity rate of 5.9%. In all, Pennsylvania has conducted 850,612 tests.

Testing has ramped up significantly since mid May, when the state was reporting about 6,000-7,000 daily tests conducted. At that point, the positivity rate was between 10% and 12%.

“As the entire state is now in the green phase, we must remain committed to protecting against covid-19 by wearing a mask, practicing social distancing and avoiding large gatherings,” Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said. “Pennsylvania has been a model for the country on how to reopen effectively using a careful, measured approach. However, the virus has not gone away and we are seeing cases rise, especially in Southwest Pennsylvania.”

All 67 counties in Pennsylvania have cases of covid-19.

The number of tests administered within the past 7 days — July 7 to July 13 — is 130,315, with 5,438 positive cases, for a positivity rate of 4.2%.

Levine reminded Pennsylvanians that mask-wearing is required in all businesses and whenever leaving home. She said consistent mask-wearing is critical to preventing the spread of covid-19.

There are 635 patients who have a positive serology test and either covid-19 symptoms or a high-risk exposure, which are considered probable cases and not confirmed cases. There are 850,612 patients who have tested negative to date. Of the patients who have tested positive to date, 26% are 65 and older, with 37% between ages 25-49, 24% ages 50-64 and 8% ages 19-24. Less than 5% of the cases are among ages 0-18.

Most of the patients hospitalized are ages 65 or older, and most of the deaths have occurred in patients 65 or older.

In nursing and personal care homes, the state is reporting 18,321 resident cases of covid-19, with 3,499 cases among employees, for a total of 21,820 at 756 distinct facilities in 57 counties.

About 7,224 of Pennsylvania’s total cases are in health care workers.

The state is currently reporting a 76% recovery rate. According the health department’s website on covid-19, “Individuals who have recovered is determined using a calculation, similar to what is being done by several other states. If a case has not been reported as a death, and it is more than 30 days past the date of their first positive test (or onset of symptoms) then an individual is considered recovered.”

The highest new total was reported in Allegheny County, where 331 new cases were added. The second highest new total came from Philadelphia County, with 141 new cases. The next highest were reported in Chester and Delaware counties, where 37 new cases were reported.

In Philadelphia County, six new deaths were reported, while Lancaster County had three new deaths. There was one new death reported in Allegheny County and no new deaths in Westmoreland.

On Monday, Department of Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine warned Pennsylvania is on the verge of repeating the pattern that led to widespread community shut-downs in the spring.

“At the start of the pandemic, we saw a higher number of cases in people ages 19-49, before it spread to those over age 65,” Levine said. “This pattern is now repeating. There are things we can do right now to stop this cycle, beginning with wearing a mask, staying at least six feet away from others not in your household, and maintaining healthy habits like washing your hands.”

Symptoms of covid-19, which can include fever, cough, shortness of breath, muscle pain, new loss of taste or smell, among other things, may appear in as few as two days or as long as 14 days after exposure.