Centre County adds 2 more COVID-19 cases; Pennsylvania total surpasses 18,000
Centre County gained two new cases of COVID-19 Thursday, bringing the total number of cases in the county to 59, according to the state Department of Health.
There are now 18,228 total cases of the coronavirus in Pennsylvania as of noon Thursday, meaning 1,989 cases are new. With the exponential growth of the pandemic, that is now the state’s largest single-day increase as of yet.
The virus first appeared in the state March 6. Centre County reported its first case March 20.
“Now more than ever, as we continue to see COVID-19 cases and deaths rise in Pennsylvania, we need Pennsylvanians to take action,” Secretary of Health Rachel Levine said in a statement Wednesday. “Those actions should be to stay calm, stay home and stay safe. If you must go out, please limit it to as few trips as possible and wear a mask to protect not only yourself, but other people as well. We need all Pennsylvanians to heed these efforts to protect our vulnerable Pennsylvanians, and our health care workers and front line responders.”
It is unknown how many Pennsylvanians, or Centre County residents, have recovered from the coronavirus because the state Department of Health is not notified when patients are discharged.
Locally, every county surrounding Centre County now has several confirmed cases of the coronavirus. Clinton County saw its first case Friday, and all of the state’s 67 counties have at least one confirmed case. Totals from nearby counties are as follows:
- Blair County: 6
- Cambria County: 10
- Clearfield County: 7
- Clinton County: 4
- Huntingdon County: 8
- Juniata County: 23
The statewide death toll from the virus also rose Thursday. Increasing by 28, the statewide total is now 338. No Centre County resident has died from COVID-19.
According to the state Department of Health, about 41% of positive cases in the state involve someone aged 25-49, followed by those aged 50-64 (29%) and 65 and older (20%). When it comes to hospitalizations, those 65 and older make up 51% of admissions, followed by those aged 50-64 (29%) and those aged 25-49 (19%).
Anyone who believes they came into contact with someone who might have the coronavirus is advised to monitor their health and call their primary care provider if they develop symptoms, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Symptoms include cough, fever and shortness of breath. Symptoms can appear in as few as two days or as long as 14 days after exposure.
Those who believe they might be sick are encouraged to stay at home except to get medical care. Residents are also urged to call their health care provider before visiting. And those who do venture outside are urged to wear masks.
“Practicing social distancing can significantly help to slow the spread of COVID-19,” Mount Nittany Medical Center Emergency Department Director Brian Newcomb said in a statement last week. “Physicians, nurses and our entire medical community are urging all people to stay at home. We are honored to serve and protect our community, but we need your help.”
The state updates its county-by-county coronavirus data at noon every day.
