Centre County has 1 new COVID-19 case as Pennsylvania added 1,323 new cases
Centre County added one new case of the coronavirus Friday, bringing the county’s total to 117 since a case of COVID-19 was first reported March 20, according to the state Department of Health.
The county has had about 25 new cases per 100,000 residents over the past two weeks, which remains below the state’s target goal of fewer than 50 new cases per 100,000.
There are 54,238 total cases of COVID-19 in Pennsylvania as of noon Friday, an increase of 1,323 since noon Thursday. The Keystone State has the sixth-most cases in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The county reported no new cases within nursing or personal care homes. Centre County has had 12 residents have tested positive in addition to six employees over three different facilities, according to the state’s data.
Specific facilities are not identified by the DOH, but three — The Oaks at Pleasant Gap, Wynwood House at State College and Centre Crest — have each confirmed to the Centre Daily Times they’ve experienced cases.
“As we ... 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 Friday by 200, bringing the total to 3,616. Centre County has had one reported COVID-19 death.
It is unknown how many Pennsylvanians have recovered from the coronavirus. The DOH is not notified when patients are discharged.
Nearly 1,300 Centre County residents have been tested as of Friday. 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 reported its first case March 20 and its only 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): 34
16801 (State College): 27
16803 (State College): 16
16827 (Boalsburg): 9
- 16870 (Port Matilda): 8
16866, 16686, 16844, 16828, 16852, 16822: 1-4 cases each (Specific numbers are not available)
According to the state’s hospital preparedness dashboard, which was last updated noon Thursday, 2,708 Pennsylvanians are hospitalized and receiving treatment for the coronavirus.
Centre County is one of 24 counties that partially reopen Friday.
The stay-at-home order was lifted after 41 days and gatherings of up to 25 people are now permitted. Child care facilities and retail stores were allowed to reopen.
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.