Dec. 2 update: Pa. sets 1-day record for COVID-19 deaths; Centre County adds 75 new cases

Pennsylvania saw the second highest one-day increase in COVID-19 cases Wednesday along with a record number of deaths.



The Department of Health reported an additional 8,291 positive cases along with 194 new fatalities. The state’s case total now stands at 375,431. There have been 2.85 million negative tests overall, and 60% of people have recovered.

In Centre County, there were 75 new cases, which brings the total to 6,473 (6,158 confirmed and 315 probable) since March 20. There have been 47,523 negative tests.

Mount Nittany Medical Center is treating 40 COVID-19 patients between the ages of 33 and 91, a spokesperson said Wednesday. There are three fewer patients than Tuesday’s update. Across Pennsylvania, there are 4,744 people hospitalized with COVID-19 and 967 are in the intensive care unit. The 14-day average of hospitalized patients has increased by almost 3,300 since the end of September, the Health Department said.

Centre County Coroner Scott Sayers on Tuesday confirmed nine more deaths related to COVID-19 to bring the county’s total to 67. The newly reported deaths occurred between Nov. 23 and Tuesday and ranged in age from 55 to 94. The state lists 59 Centre County deaths, an increase of two from the previous day.

Wednesday marks the second day in a row the state reported a record high in deaths. On Tuesday, the state reported 180 new fatalities. The statewide total is now 10,757.

The breakdown of confirmed Centre County cases by ZIP code is as follows, according to the DOH:

• 16801 (State College): 3,081 (14 new cases)
• 16802 (University Park): 787 (1 fewer case)
• 16823 (Bellefonte and Pleasant Gap): 767 (25 new cases)
• 16803 (State College): 456 (4 new cases)
• 16686 (Tyrone): 320 (12 new cases)
• 16866 (Philipsburg): 237 (9 new cases)
• 16870 (Port Matilda): 104
• 16841 (Howard): 84 (3 new cases)
• 16828 (Centre Hall): 81 (1 new case)
• 16875 (Spring Mills): 81 (1 new case)
• 16827 (Boalsburg): 69
• 16845 (Karthaus): 57 (2 new cases)
• 16822 (Beech Creek): 44 (2 new cases)
• 16666 (Osceola Mills): 41 (1 new case)
• 16853 (Milesburg): 41 (1 new case)
• 16877 (Warriors Mark): 34
• 16874 (Snow Shoe): 32 (1 new case)
• 16844 (Julian): 26
• 16851 (Lemont): 23
• 16820 (Aaronsburg): 22
• 16865 (Pennsylvania Furnace): 22
• 16872 (Rebersburg): 22
• 16854 (Millheim): 21 (1 new case)
• 16829 (Clarence): 17 (1 new case)
• 16826 (Blanchard): 12 (1 new case)
• 16860 (Munson): 11
• 16832 (Coburn): 9
• 16856 (Mingoville): 9
• 16859 (Moshannon): 9
• 16677 (Sandy Ridge): 8
• 16868 (Pine Grove Mills): 8
• 16804 (State College): 7
• 16835 (Unionville): 5
• 16852, 16864, 16882: 1-4 cases each

The state does not provide 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.

The Health Department reported 27 new cases among residents of Centre County long-term care facilities, as well as seven new cases in employees.

There have now been 493 resident cases, 83 employee cases and 39 deaths in 16 nursing and personal care homes in the county, the DOH said.

Across Pennsylvania, there have been 6,628 resident cases and 6,885 employee cases at 1,289 long-term care facilities in 65 counties. Of the state’s 10,757 deaths, 6,531 have been in long-term care residents.

Statewide, the age breakdown of those who tested positive is:

• Approximately 1% are 0-4
• Nearly 3% are 5-12
• Approximately 5% are 13-18
• Approximately 12% are 19-24
• Nearly 37% are 25-49
• Nearly 22% are 50-64
• Nearly 20% are 65 or older

This story was originally published December 2, 2020 at 12:10 PM.