Centre County reports 3 new cases of COVID-19, as Pennsylvania tops 65,000 overall cases
The state Department of Health reported three new coronavirus cases in Centre County on Thursday — bringing its total to 136.
Statewide, the numbers continue to rise — but the rate of confirmed positive cases has slowed. As of noon Thursday, there are now 65,392 total cases of the coronavirus in Pennsylvania, meaning 980 cases are new. That marks the 11th straight day that single-day increases have been below 1,000.
Thirty-seven counties (including Centre County) have partially reopened, and Gov. Tom Wolf announced that 12 more counties — scattered around the state — will also partially reopen this Friday by moving into the “yellow phase.” That means 18 other counties remain under stay-at-home orders or are not yet poised to move on from the “red phase.”
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.
Locally, every county surrounding Centre County now has at least 33 confirmed cases of the coronavirus. Totals from nearby counties are as follows:
- Blair County: 44 (1 death)
- Cambria County: 55 (2 deaths)
- Clearfield County: 33 (0 deaths)
- Clinton County: 48 (0 deaths)
- Huntingdon County: 221 (1 death)
- Juniata County: 94 (2 deaths)
- Mifflin County: 57 (1 death)
- Union County: 61 (1 death)
In Centre County, here’s the breakdown by ZIP code (those without cases are not listed):
- 16823 (Bellefonte, Milesburg and Pleasant Gap): 38
- 16801 (State College): 29
16803 (State College): 20
16827 (Boalsburg): 9
- 16870 (Port Matilda): 8
- 16686 (Tyrone): 6
16666, 16841, 16866, 16844, 16828, 16852, 16822: 1-4 cases each (Specific numbers not available)
The most recent nursing home data, which was first made public Tuesday, has not yet been updated for Thursday. On Tuesday, the state Department of Health listed three county nursing homes with cases — Wynwood House at State College, Wynwood House at Green Hills and The Oaks at Pleasant Gap.
However, Wynwood House owner Vince Romanini told the Centre Daily Times on Tuesday that Green Hills had no cases — and Centre Crest, which was not listed by the state DOH, previously told the CDT it also had cases. According to the data, which Romanini disputed, Wynwood House at State College has 25 total cases, 15 among residents and 10 among employees.
The breakdown at the other two nursing homes was not available because they were both listed with less than five cases apiece.
The statewide death toll from the virus also rose Thursday, increasing by 102 to 4,869 total. So far, five total COVID-19 deaths have been confirmed in Centre County — an 89-year-old man on April 16, a 96-year-old man May 8, an 89-year-old woman May 9, a 74-year-old man May 12 and an 88-year-old woman May 13, according to the Centre County Coroner’s Office.
According to the state Department of Health, about 37% of positive cases in the state involve someone aged 25-49, followed by those 65 and older (29%) and those aged 50-64 (26%).
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, told the CDT last month that the hospital can 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. The most well-known symptoms are cough and shortness of breath — but can also include the presence of at least two of the following: fever, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat and loss of taste/smell.
Symptoms can appear in as few as two days or as long as 14 days after exposure, according to the CDC.
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 out 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 usually updates its county-by-county coronavirus numbers around noon every day.
