Centre County sees no new COVID-19 cases as state total surpasses 35,000
Centre County added no new coronavirus cases Wednesday, according to the state Department of Health.
As of noon Wednesday, there are 76 reported COVID-19 cases in the county, one less case than Tuesday.
According to the state Department of Health, as cases and deaths are investigated, they are reported based on the county of residence and the data is updated as more information becomes available.
“As we receive more reports from commercial labs and we investigate positive cases, it is important that the cases are counted in the correct county, which is the county of residence,” Maggi Mumma, department of health press office representative, said in an email. “Some specimen submissions could include different addresses, such as the address where the specimen was collected. Through our investigations, we will determine the county of residence, and if we need to update our data, will do so.”
There are 35,684 total cases of the coronavirus statewide, meaning 1,156 cases are new.
“As we see the number of new COVID-19 cases continuously change across the state that does not mean we can stop practicing social distancing,” Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said in a statement. “We must continue to stay home to protect ourselves, our families and our community.”
Gov. Tom Wolf announced Monday the statewide stay-at-home order will be extended until May 8, but the economy will be gradually reopened once that date hits.
It is unknown how many Pennsylvanians, or Centre County residents, have recovered from the coronavirus because the state Department of Health doesn’t receive reports when patients are discharged. However, according to the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center, more than 650,000 patients have fully recovered worldwide out of about 2.5 million infected. (By comparison, 179,778 have died worldwide as of noon Wednesday.)
Every county surrounding Centre County has at least 11 confirmed cases of the coronavirus. Totals from nearby counties are as follows:
There have been two coronavirus-related deaths in Centre County. The first was an 89-year-old man who died April 16, according to Centre County Coroner Scott Sayers. Details about the second death, which was reported Tuesday, have not been released.
On its website, the state Department of Health reports one case and one death within a Centre County nursing home or personal care home. The name of the facility has not been released, although state and federal politicians have received some bipartisan support in making such details public in the near future.
The statewide death toll from the virus also rose Wednesday, increasing by 58 to 1,622 total.
According to the state Department of Health, about 39% of positive cases in the state involve someone aged 25-49, followed by those aged 50-64 (28%) and 65 and older (25%). When it comes to hospitalizations, 20% of those 80 and older who test positive are admitted — followed by those 65-79 (19%), 50-64 (9%), 30-49 (5%) and 0-29 (2%).
According to the state’s hospital preparedness dashboard, no COVID-19 patients (and one non-COVID-19 patient) in the county are on ventilator care. Dr. Nirmal Joshi, chief medical officer for Mount Nittany Health, recently told the CDT that the hospital can currently provide ventilator care for up to 40 patients.
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.
“Please stay at home whenever you can, avoid unnecessary social contact and keep washing your hands,” said Dr. Brian Newcomb, director of the Mount Nittany Medical Center emergency department. “Remember the most vulnerable in our community and how much they’re relying on all of us right now. Practicing social distancing can significantly help to slow the spread of COVID-19. ... We’re all in this together.”
The state updates its county-by-county coronavirus numbers at noon every day.
