Centre County sees largest single-day increase of COVID-19 cases; Pa. at 14,559 total cases

Centre County added 11 new cases of the coronavirus Tuesday, bringing the total number of cases in the county to 55, the state Department of Health reported.

The increase is the largest the county has seen in a single day since the first COVID-19 case was reported on March 20.

There are 14,559 cases of COVID-19 in Pennsylvania as of noon Tuesday, an increase of 1,579 since noon Monday. That is the second-highest single-day increase the state has seen, marking the sixth day in a row the number of cases has increased by at least 1,000. The total rose by 1,470 from Sunday to Monday.

Pennsylvania has added over half of its total cases since Wednesday’s report from the state Department of Health, with 8,694 coming in that time frame.

Centre County’s first case of COVID-19 was reported March 20, two weeks after the virus was initially confirmed in Pennsylvania.

Seventy eight more people died of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 240. No Centre County residents have died of COVID-19.

People aged 25-49 represent the largest portion of Pennsylvania residents with the virus, accounting for 42% of the 14,559 cases. People aged 65 or older account for 51% of the state’s hospitalizations, even though they account for only 20% of its overall cases.

All 67 counties in the state have at least one confirmed case of the virus and are under a stay-at-home order through at least April 30.

Totals from nearby counties are as follows:

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends those who may have come in contact with someone who might have COVID-19 to monitor their health and contact their health care provider immediately if they have symptoms, like fever, cough or shortness of breath.

The best way to prevent illness is to avoid exposure. Avoiding close contact and proper hand-washing are two of the most effective ways to protect against exposure.

Those who believe they may 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.

This story was originally published April 7, 2020 at 12:04 PM.

Jon Sauber

Centre Daily Times

(814) 231-6461

Jon Sauber covers Penn State football and men’s basketball for the Centre Daily Times. He earned his B.A. in digital and print journalism from Penn State and his M.A. in sports journalism from IUPUI. His previous stops include jobs at The Indianapolis Star, the NCAA, and Rivals.