Pennsylvania shatters daily record for new COVID-19 cases, nearly 16,000 in 48 hours

ALLEGHENY CO., Pa. — The Pennsylvania Department of Health reported 15,785 new COVID-19 cases since Thursday, bringing the statewide total to 343,614

That includes 7,360 cases reported as of midnight Friday, and 8,425 cases reported Thursday.

There are 4,087 people hospitalized; 877 patients in the intensive care unit. An additional 118 deaths were reported as of Thursday, and 21 new deaths reported as of Friday, bringing that total to 10,234 deaths attributed to COVID-19.

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

Statewide percent positivity for the week of November 13 – November 19 stood at 11.1%.

The number of tests administered within the last 7 days between Nov. 20 and Nov. 26 is 464,069 with 38,851 positive cases. There were 58,103 test results reported to the department through Nov. 25 and 57,971 test results reported to the department through Nov. 26.

The department has seen significant increases in the number of COVID-19 cases among younger age groups, particularly 19 to 24-year-olds

In nursing and personal care homes, there are 33,947 resident cases of COVID-19, and 6,553 cases among employees, for a total of 40,500 at 1,249 distinct facilities in 63 counties. Out of the total deaths, 6,459 have occurred in residents from nursing or personal care facilities.

Approximately 14,336 of the total cases are among health care workers.

The Allegheny County Health Department reported 1,642 new COVID-19 cases over the past 48 hours -- another record high for the county since the pandemic began.

According to the health department, the new cases range in age from three months to 103 years old. Twelve of those tests were more than a week old, and the dates range from Oct. 14 to Nov. 26.

There were also six new deaths reported, ranging in age from 70-103. Five of those were associated with long-term care facilities, health officials said.

Since March 14, there have been 26,821 cases of COVID-19 in Allegheny County residents, 1,931 hospitalizations and 504 deaths.

The health department is urging residents to continue social distancing, stay home and only leave to go to work or school to receive medical care, to pick up essentials like food or medicine, or for exercise.

You can get a county-by-county breakdown of the coronavirus numbers at the health department dashboard HERE.

The two-day total shatters the county’s record for new cases, but there was also a nearly 6,000 jump in testing. However, even with the additional tests, Allegheny County’s positivity rate was at 22%.

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Cox Media Group