No new COVID-19 cases reported in Centre County as Pennsylvania tops 41,000 cases

Centre County added no new cases of the coronavirus on Sunday while the statewide total surpassed 41,000 cases, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

There have been just eight new cases in Centre County since April 17.

As of noon Sunday, there are now 41,165 total cases of the coronavirus in Pennsylvania, meaning 1,116 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 Sunday in a written statement.

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. Centre County is among the first areas slated to partially reopen.

The statewide death toll from the virus increased by 13 on Sunday to 1,550 total. So far, one COVID-19 death has been reported in Centre County, an 89-year-old man who died on April 16, according to Centre County Coroner Scott Sayers.

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. There are 157,428 patients who have tested negative to date in Pennsylvania.

Locally, every county surrounding Centre County now has at least 11 confirmed cases of the coronavirus. Totals from nearby counties are as follows:

• Blair County: 21 cases (0 deaths)
• Cambria County: 21 cases (1 death)
• Clearfield County: 11 cases (1 death)
• Clinton County: 21 cases (0 deaths)
• Huntingdon County: 22 cases (0 deaths)
• Juniata County: 78 cases (0 deaths)
• Mifflin County: 27 cases (0 deaths)
• Union County: 31 cases (0 deaths)

In Centre County, here’s the breakdown by ZIP code (those without cases are not listed):

• 16801 (State College): 26

• 16823 (Bellefonte, Milesburg and Pleasant Gap): 18

• 16827 (Boalsburg): 9

• 16803 (State College): 8
• 16870 (Port Matilda): 7

• 16866, 16686, 16844, 16828, 16852, 16822: 1-4 cases each (Specific numbers not available)

According to the state Department of Health, about 38% of positive cases in the state involve someone aged 25-49, followed by those aged 50-64 (27%) and 65 and older (26%). Most of the patients hospitalized are aged 65 or older, and most of the deaths have occurred in patients 65 or older.

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.

The state updates its county-by-county coronavirus numbers at noon every day.