Harrisburg, PA – Pennsylvania’s death toll from COVID-19 actually dropped yesterday, for some unusual and complex reasons.
The death toll now sits at 1,394 confirmed deaths, which is about 200 fewer than before. That’s because, earlier this week, Pennsylvania started adding “probable cases” to the death count if certain deaths had symptoms of COVID-19 and a connection to a confirmed case.
However, now as those probable cases are being investigated and found that more information is needed before they can be a confirmed COVID-19-related death, they have been removed from the count.
These probable counts do not impact the decisions being made about reopening the state. Gov. Wolf’s reopening plan said a region or county will need to average fewer than 50 new positive cases of the virus per 100,000 residents for 14 days in order to no longer be under a stay-at-home order. That only involves the confirmed cases (people who have taken a COVID-19 swab test and have tested positive).
Our area, Clearfield and Jefferson Counties, are likely to be able to have few enough positive cases that we should be able to start the partial reopening process on May 8.
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Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Health on Thursday confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., April 23, that there are 1,369 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total
to 37,053. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania have cases of COVID-19.
The department is continuing to work to increase the types of cases that are being added to our death case counts. The state is reporting 1,394 confirmed deaths in Pennsylvania. More information will be provided on probable deaths during the secretary’s press briefing. County specific information and a statewide map are available here. All people are either in isolation at home or being treated at the hospital.
“As we see the number of new COVID-19 cases continuously change across the state that does not mean we can stop practicing social distancing,” Sec. of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said. “We must continue to stay home to protect ourselves, our families and our community. If you must go out, please make as few trips as possible and wear a mask to protect not only yourself, but others. We need all Pennsylvanians to continue to heed these efforts to protect our vulnerable Pennsylvanians, our health care workers and frontline responders.”
There are 142,061 patients who have tested negative to date. Of the patients who have tested positive to date the age breakdown is as follows:
• Nearly 1% are aged 0-4;
• Nearly 1% are aged 5-12;
• 1% are aged 13-18;
• Nearly 6% are aged 19-24;
• Nearly 39% are aged 25-49;
• Nearly 28% are aged 50-64; and
• Nearly 25% are aged 65 or older.
Most of the patients hospitalized are aged 65 or older, and most of the deaths have occurred in patients 65 or older. There have been no pediatric deaths to date. More data is available here.
In nursing and personal care homes, there are 5,679 resident cases of COVID-19, and 673 cases among employees, for a total of 6,352 at 408 distinct facilities in 39 counties. Out of our total deaths, 849 have occurred in residents from nursing or personal care facilities. A county breakdown can be found here.
All non-life-sustaining businesses are ordered to be closed and schools are closed statewide through the remainder of the academic year. Currently the entire state is under a stay-at-home order.
Statewide – The Wolf Administration has since noon, April 22:
• Detailed plans for a targeted reopening of the state.
• Encouraged voters to apply for a mail-in ballot.
• Provided an update from Pennsylvania State Police on business closure enforcement
actions.
For the latest information for individuals, families, businesses and schools, visit “Responding to COVID-19” on pa.gov.
The Wolf Administration stresses the role Pennsylvanians play in helping to reduce the spread of COVID-19:
• Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
• Cover any coughs or sneezes with your elbow, not your hands.
• Clean surfaces frequently.
• Stay home to avoid spreading COVID-19, especially if you are unwell.
Updated Coronavirus Links: Press Releases, State Lab Photos, Graphics
• Press releases regarding coronavirus
• Latest information on the coronavirus
• Photos of the state’s lab in Exton (for download and use)
• Coronavirus and preparedness graphics (located at the bottom of the page)
• Community preparedness and procedures materials
• Map with the number of COVID-19 cases
All Pennsylvania residents are encouraged to sign up for AlertPA, a text notification system for health, weather, and other important alerts like COVID-19 updates from commonwealth agencies.
Residents can sign up online at www.ready.pa.gov/BeInformed/Signup-For-Alerts.
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