With 1 new COVID-19 case added, Centre County keeps ‘sudden spike’ in overall count
While the cause of a Sunday case surge in Centre County remains unclear, no cases were removed from the overall total on Monday, according to the state Department of Health.
Centre County actually added one case, bringing its overall total to 357 since the first was reported March 20.
On Sunday, 43 additional positive cases were reported out of 174 tests, for a 24.7% positivity rate. Prior to Sunday, Centre County’s highest single-day increase was 11 new cases.
According to the state Department of Health, Centre County has 327 confirmed cases and 30 probable cases; 7,877 have tested negative.
On Sunday, Dr. Nirmal Joshi, chief medical officer at Mount Nittany Health, told the Centre Daily Times in an email that the health system noticed an “unusual spike in the number of positive test results” at the end of last week and immediately contacted the DOH.
“We are collaborating with the DOH to investigate this sudden spike and to coordinate additional testing of these individuals,” Joshi wrote. “We are expecting results to be returned in the next few days and we will continue to work closely with the Department of Health.”
Joshi last week told the CDT that the health system switched where it was sending test samples due to a backlog in results. A spokeswoman said Monday that more information about the new process and retesting would be forthcoming.
DOH spokesperson Maggi Mumma wrote in an email that statewide, “there were no delays in reporting or data dumps to contribute to the rise in cases.”
“In Centre County, at this time, the rise in cases does seem to be from community spread,” Mumma wrote. “There were no new cases associated with long-term care facilities in Centre County from Saturday to Sunday.”
From Sunday to Monday, one new COVID-19 case among long-term care facilities was reported in Centre County, according to the DOH. That brings the county’s total to 31 resident cases and 18 employee cases spread out across four facilities.
Pennsylvania reported 839 new positive cases on Monday, bringing the overall total to 108,264. The state estimates 75% of cases are recovered.
The breakdown of confirmed Centre County cases by ZIP code is as follows, according to the DOH:
16801 (State College): 72 (+8 since Saturday)
16823 (Bellefonte and Pleasant Gap): 58 (+5 since Saturday)
16803 (State College): 48 (+4 since Saturday)
16827 (Boalsburg): 15
16875 (Spring Mills): 16 (+1 since Saturday)
16866 (Philipsburg): 15 (+1 since Saturday)
16841 (Howard): 14
16822 (Beech Creek): 12
16870 (Port Matilda): 12
16828 (Centre Hall): 10 (+2 since Saturday)
16686 (Tyrone): 8
16853 (Milesburg): 6
16666, 16802, 16820, 16829, 16832, 16844, 16845, 16851, 16852, 16854, 16860, 16865, 16868, 16872, 16874, 16877, 16882: 1-4 cases each.
The state does not give specific numbers when there are fewer than five cases to protect patient privacy and does not identify exactly where a case occurred in a ZIP code that spans multiple counties.
In an email Monday, Mumma explained why the number of new reported cases does not appear to match the case numbers by ZIP code.
“As cases are confirmed by their county of residency, there are instances where the department will work through case investigations to find their local zip code if needed,” she wrote. “Therefore, some zip code case information may not be available in real-time as cases increase at the county level.”
Statewide, there are 7,122 total deaths attributed to COVID-19, with four new deaths reported. The DOH counts nine deaths in Centre County, while the coroner’s office has confirmed six.
“As the state has put in place new mitigation efforts to offset recent case increases, we must renew our commitment to protecting against COVID-19 by wearing a mask, practicing social distancing and following the requirements set forth in the orders for bars and restaurants, gatherings and telework,” Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said in a statement. “Pennsylvania has been a model for the country on how to reopen effectively using a careful, measured approach. However, we know the virus has not gone away as we see cases rise, so we must work together to stop another surge.”
This story was originally published July 27, 2020 at 12:54 PM.
