Centre County reports its first death from the coronavirus
Centre County’s first reported death from the coronavirus was confirmed by the state Department of Health Friday. The patient was being treated at Mount Nittany Medical Center, a spokeswoman said.
No new cases of COVID-19 were reported in the county Friday. Centre County has 73 confirmed coronavirus cases. There are 29,441 cases statewide.
In a news release Friday evening, Centre County Coroner Scott Sayers said he was notified of the COVID-19 death on Thursday. The inpatient at Mount Nittany Medical Center was an 89-year-old man, he said. The man’s name was not released.
After the coronavirus first appeared in Pennsylvania March 6, Centre County saw its first confirmed case March 20. By April 7, all 67 of the state’s counties had reported a case.
There were 49 deaths among COVID-19 positive patients reported, bringing the statewide total to 756.
It is unknown how many Pennsylvanians have recovered from the coronavirus. The state Department of Health is not notified when patients are discharged. To date, there are 113,735 patients who have tested negative statewide.
According to the state’s hospital preparedness dashboard, 2,590 Pennsylvanians are hospitalized and receiving treatment for COVID-19. One ventilator in Centre County is being used to treat a patient diagnosed with COVID-19.
People aged 25-49 represent the largest portion of Pennsylvanians with COVID-19, accounting for about 41% of all cases. People aged 65 or older account for about 51% of hospitalizations, the DOH reported.
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.
“Remember the most vulnerable in our community and how much they’re relying on all of us right now,” Mount Nittany Medical Center Emergency Department Director Brian Newcomb said in a statement. “Practicing social distancing can significantly help to slow the spread of COVID-19. It’s equally important to appreciate that anyone experiencing a health emergency should not delay care and should not hesitate to visit the emergency department. We’re all in this together.”
County-by-county coronavirus data is updated at noon every day.
This story was originally published April 17, 2020 at 11:58 AM.
