Centre County adds another COVID-19 case as statewide total surpasses 69,000
Centre County added one new coronavirus case on Wednesday, according to the state Department of Health, bringing the county’s total to 149 since the first case was reported on March 20.
Statewide, there are now 69,417 total cases of COVID-19 in Pennsylvania, 780 of which are new. That marks the 17th straight day that single-day increases have been below 1,000 — a substantial decrease from the April 9 peak of 1,989 new cases.
The state is estimating recoveries by counting those who have survived 30 days past their first positive tests and, according to that data, 62% of patients in the state have recovered.
The statewide death toll from the virus increased Wednesday by 113 to 6,265 total. Centre County has had six COVID-19 deaths, according to the state DOH.
Centre County Coroner Scott Sayers told the Centre Daily Times Saturday he had not been notified about new deaths after accounting for five COVID-19 deaths — 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.
The state DOH counts COVID-19 deaths toward the individual’s county of residence, meaning a Centre County resident who dies elsewhere would still appear in the county’s total.
More than 2,100 Centre County residents have been tested as of Wednesday.
Data on cases in nursing or personal care homes was updated Tuesday, when two Centre County facilities — Wynwood House at State College and The Oaks at Pleasant Gap — were listed with at least 30 combined cases. Wynwood House is listed as having 17 cases among residents and 12 among employees, though owner Vincent Romanini previously disputed the state’s data. Cases at The Oaks are redacted from the state’s data because there are fewer than five cases among residents or employees.
Centre Crest in Bellefonte has also confirmed COVID-19 cases at its facility, but is not included on the state’s list.
Locally, every county surrounding Centre County now has at least 37 confirmed cases of the coronavirus. Totals from nearby counties are as follows:
- Blair County: 48 (1 death)
- Cambria County: 57 (2 deaths)
- Clearfield County: 37 (0 deaths)
- Clinton County: 54 (1 death)
- Huntingdon County: 228 (2 deaths)
- Juniata County: 95 (4 deaths)
- Mifflin County: 58 (1 death)
- Union County: 56 (1 death)
In Centre County, here’s the breakdown by ZIP code (those without cases are not listed):
- 16823 (Bellefonte, Milesburg and Pleasant Gap): 39
- 16801 (State College): 33
16803 (State College): 24
16827 (Boalsburg): 9
- 16870 (Port Matilda): 9
- 16686 (Tyrone): 6
16666, 16841, 16866, 16844, 16828, 16852, 16822: 1-4 cases each (Specific numbers not available)
According to the state’s hospital preparedness dashboard, no COVID-19 patients (and two non-COVID-19 patients) 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.
The state updates its county-by-county coronavirus numbers at noon every day.
