Thursday’s announcement of new statewide restrictions to address surging COVID-19 numbers came as, for only the second time in the course of the pandemic, Allegheny County reported over a thousand new cases in a single day — 1,166.
Six more people have died from the disease, according to the latest data released Thursday, the same day the state again shattered its record for fatal COVID-19 cases — posting 248 new deaths in a single day. The previous record was reached Wednesday — 220 daily deaths.
The latest Allegheny County deaths include three people who were in their 70s, two in their 80s and one person was in their 90s. Five deaths were associated with long-term care facilities. The deaths occurred from Nov. 18 to Dec. 9.
Of the county’s 1,166 new infections, health officials said 1,090 are confirmed from 3,302 PCR tests and 76 are probable. The cases are represented by people whose ages range from 2 months to 101 years, with a median age of 44.
The positive tests were taken between Nov. 23 and Dec. 9, with 17 of the tests over a week old.
The county’s highest number of new daily cases was 1,197 on Dec. 5, according to health officials.
Since March 14, there have been 36,707 cases reported in Allegheny County, along with 625 total deaths and 2,392 hospitalizations. Of those hospitalizations, more than 540 required intensive care.
Statewide, the number of patients currently hospitalized is more than 5,600, with 1,160 people in intensive care, according to the latest available state Health Department data. The state’s positivity rate is 14.4%.
The state reported 11,972 new cases on Thursday, bringing the statewide total to 457,289. With the new deaths, Pennsylvania has had 12,010 since March.
Dr. Debra Bogen, Allegheny County health director, on Wednesday called the increasing number of deaths “heartbreaking.”
Based on the virus’s spread, she said, “it is likely that we will all know someone that has had COVID, has been hospitalized, or has died.”
On Wednesday, Gov. Tom Wolf announced that he had tested positive for the coronavirus after several members of his security detail recently contracted the highly contagious virus. Mr. Wolf is in isolation at home, is feeling well, and continues to be asymptomatic.
First lady Frances Wolf said Thursday that she has tested negative for COVID-19 but will continue to quarantine at home, as per CDC and Department of Health guidelines.
“Tom and I are grateful for the well-wishes and support we have received,” said Ms. Wolf, who also urged residents to be on their guard and to take precautions.
“Please, on behalf of the more than 400,000 Pennsylvanians who have contracted this virus, the more than 12,000 who have died, and the health care and essential workers who are overwhelmed and scared, follow the direction of our doctors. Wear your masks. And, if you can, stay home.”
Nationwide, deaths broke a new daily record on Thursday with at least 3,011 new fatalities recorded — just one week after the U.S. reached a new high of 2,885 deaths in one day. Not since the pandemic’s first peak, in the spring, had so many deaths been reported. The high point then was 2,752 deaths on April 15.
For more information about the Allegheny County data, go to the county’s COVID-19 dashboard here. For more information on the statewide data, visit the state’s COVID-19 dashboard here.
First Published: December 10, 2020, 4:28 p.m.
Updated: December 10, 2020, 11:39 p.m.
