The Pennsylvania Department of Health reported 328 new coronavirus cases Monday, the smallest number of new daily cases in a month.
This marks the lowest number of new cases since the health department reported 323 new cases on June 15. Statewide, 95,742 people have been infected with the virus.
Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine has previously said laboratories sometimes have delays in processing results over weekends, and figures reported on Mondays tend to be lower.
While the number of new infections remains below the peak seen in the spring, health department officials have said they are concerned about the uptick of cases over the past few weeks, particularly among younger adults. Over the past seven days, the state has reported on average of more than 700 cases each day. Through much of early June, the state often reported less than 500 cases each day.
Across Pennsylvania, 6,911 deaths have been tied to COVID-19, including 7 deaths reported Monday. More than two-thirds of the state’s coronavirus deaths have occurred in long-term care facilities, such as nursing homes.
The number of COVID-19 patients in hospitals remains well below seen in the spring. In recent days, the health department has said about 650 patients are hospitalized, compared to the high of about 2,800 in the spring.
A closer look
Health officials are tracking the rise in coronavirus cases in recent days, particularly in southwestern Pennsylvania. The health department also said it is concerned about the growing number of cases among adults 19 to 24 years old.
The health department data over the past three weeks shows the rise in infections. Note: These figures reflect all age groups.
June 23-29: 3,802 new cases, an average of 543 per day
June 30-July 6: 4,316 new cases, an average of 616 per day
July 7-13: 5,438 new cases, an average of 776 per day
Southwestern Pennsylvania is seeing the biggest increase in cases among adults 19 to 24. Nearly 25 percent of the region’s cases reported in July have been in that age group, compared to 5 percent in May.
Still, all regions in Pennsylvania are seeing more infections among adults 19-24. In southcentral Pennsylvania, about 13 percent of the cases in July are in that age group, while only 7 percent of cases in April hit that demographic. In other regions, adults 19 to 24 years old account for 12 to 17 percent of all new cases in July.
About 77 percent of those who have been infected with the coronavirus have recovered, according to the health department’s estimates. The department considers patients to be recovered when they are 30 days past the point of infection or the onset of symptoms.
Nursing homes
Statewide, 4,699 coronavirus deaths have occurred in nursing homes or personal care facilities.
The health department said 18,279 residents of long-term care facilities have contracted COVID-19, along with 3,481 employees. A total of 21,760 people have been infected at long-term care facilities.
Cases have been found in 750 long-term care facilities in 55 counties.
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