Centre County adds 3 new COVID-19 cases as statewide total tops 50,000
Three new cases of the coronavirus were reported Monday in Centre County by the state Department of Health, bringing the county’s total to 105 since March 20.
There are 50,092 reported cases of COVID-19 in Pennsylvania as of noon Monday, an increase of 825 since noon Sunday, according to the DOH. It is the smallest single-day increase in new cases since March 31.
Centre County reported one new case among a nursing or personal care home resident. There are four cases among residents and three among staff at three long-term care facilities, according to the DOH.
The Oaks at Pleasant Gap and Wynwood House at State College each confirmed last week that there are cases in their facilities. The third facility is not known, as they are not publicly identified by the DOH.
“As we prepare to move a number of counties from red to yellow, we need all Pennsylvanians to continue to follow the social distancing and mitigation efforts in place,” Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine said in a statement. “We must continue to protect our most vulnerable Pennsylvanians, which includes our seniors, those with underlying health issues, our healthcare workers and our first responders.”
The statewide death toll increased Monday by 14, bringing the total to 2,458. The number of COVID-19 deaths reported in Centre County remains at one.
It is unknown how many Pennsylvanians have recovered from the coronavirus. The DOH is not notified when patients are discharged.
About 1,150 Centre County residents have been tested as of Monday. About 9% have tested positive, according to the DOH.
The new coronavirus first appeared in the state March 6, and every one of the state’s 67 counties had at least one confirmed case by April 7. Centre County saw its first case March 20, and reported its first death April 17.
In Centre County, here’s the breakdown by ZIP code (those without cases are not listed):
- 16823 (Bellefonte, Milesburg and Pleasant Gap): 32
16801 (State College): 27
16827 (Boalsburg): 9
- 16803 (State College): 9
- 16870 (Port Matilda): 7
16866, 16686, 16844, 16828, 16852, 16822: 1-4 cases each (Specific numbers are not available)
Gov. Tom Wolf announced Friday that 24 counties, including Centre County, will partially reopen May 8. Commissioner Michael Pipe said the county could see a spike in cases if social distancing guidelines are not followed.
The timeline for a total reopening is not known, Pipe said.
“One of the things to keep in mind is that just because we, as a community, could get to the yellow phase, we could easily return to the red phase,” Pipe said. “And likewise, if we would eventually get to the green phase, there could be a possibility we could get back to the yellow phase.”
According to the state’s hospital preparedness dashboard, which was last updated noon Sunday, 2,691 Pennsylvanians are hospitalized and receiving treatment for the coronavirus. No COVID-19 patients in Centre County are on ventilator care.
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.
This story was originally published May 4, 2020 at 12:35 PM.