The Herald's Weekly Virus Update

The Pennsylvania Department of Health has confirmed as of 12 a.m., Sept. 22, that there were 834 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 151,646.

All 67 counties in Pennsylvania have cases of COVID-19. Centre County is reporting an increase of 185 cases.

The number of tests administered within the last seven days between Sept. 15 and Sept. 21 is 179,343 with 5,749 positive cases. There were 23,317 test results reported to the department through 10 p.m., Sept. 21. These results represent the total number of tests administered.

There are 8,023 total deaths attributed to COVID-19, an increase of 19 new deaths reported. County-specific information and a statewide map are available on the Pa. COVID-19 Data Dashboard at https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/disease/coronavirus/Pages/Coronavirus.aspx. Currently, all 67 counties are in the green phase of reopening.

Nearby Counties

Cases / Death / Rate*

Bedford: 199 / 6 / 12.5

Blair: 577 / 16 / 13.1

Cambria: 485 / 7 / 5.3

Centre: 1,969 / 11 / 6.8

Clearfield: 258 / 2 / 2.5

Fulton: 41 / 2 / 13.8

Huntingdon: 388 / 6 / 13.3

Somerset: 175 / 3 / 4.1

*Rate is number of deaths per 100,000 population

United States

6,823,324 cases

199,756 deaths

Worldwide

31,179,552 cases

964,704 deaths

"We know that congregation, especially in college and university settings, yields increased case counts. The mitigation efforts in place now are essential to flattening the curve and saving lives," Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said. "Wearing a mask, practicing social distancing, and following the requirements set forth in the orders for bars and restaurants, gatherings, and telework will help keep our case counts low. Together, as Pennsylvanians, all of our efforts are designed to support our communities to ensure that cases of COVID-19 remain low."

Mask-wearing is required in all businesses and whenever leaving home. Consistent mask-wearing is critical to preventing the spread of COVID-19. There are 255 cases who have a positive viral antigen test and are considered probable cases and 645 patients who have a positive serology test and either COVID-19 symptoms or a high-risk exposure.

There are 1,777,916 patients who have tested negative to date. Of the patients who have tested positive to date the age breakdown is as follows:

• Approximately 1 percent are ages 0-4;

• Nearly 2 percent are ages 5-12;

• Approximately 4% are ages 13-18;

• Nearly 13 percent are ages 19-24;

• Approximately 36 percent are ages 25-49;

• Nearly 22 percent are ages 50-64; and

• Nearly 22 percent are ages 65 or older.

Most of the patients hospitalized are ages 65 or older, and most of the deaths have occurred in patients 65 or older. More data is available here.

The department is seeing significant increases in the number of COVID-19 cases among younger age groups, particularly 19 to 24-year-olds. An alert was sent to healthcare providers about the changing COVID-19 case demographics, as there are more cases in younger age groups than in those 50-64 and 65+. The following regions saw significant increases among 19 to 24-year-olds in each month from April to date in September:

• NC – Approximately 7 percent of cases in April to approximately 70 percent of cases so far in September;

• NE – 6 percent of cases in April to approximately 38 percent of cases so far in September;

• SE – Nearly 5 percent of cases in April to nearly 31 percent of cases so far in September;

• SW – Approximately 5 percent of cases in April to nearly 29 percent of cases so far in September;

• NW – Nearly 7 percent of cases in April to approximately 19 percent of cases so far in September; and

• SC – Approximately 7 percent of cases in April to approximately 17 percent of cases so far in September.

In nursing and personal care homes, there are 22,331 resident cases of COVID-19, and 4,893 cases among employees, for a total of 27,224 at 962 distinct facilities in 61 counties. Out of our total deaths, 5,360 have occurred in residents from nursing or personal care facilities. Approximately 10,419 of the state's total cases are among health care workers.