PA reports 13.5K COVID cases as number of counties at high community level falls to 1
Pennsylvania health officials counted fewer new, confirmed COVID-19 cases over the most recent reporting week, and the number of counties considered at a high COVID-19 community level have fallen from six to one.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health reports 13,535 new confirmed cases of the disease caused by the novel coronavirus for the most recent reporting period, which ran Dec. 7 to Dec. 13. That’s down by about 200 from the previous week, when cases shot up to 13,703 new cases following the Thanksgiving holiday.
Cases trended up as Americans traveled and took part in holiday gatherings, and the bump in COVID-19 infections has joined with a sharp rise in influenza and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) cases to pinch hospitals as they struggle to care for those with severe cases.
COVID-19 in Pennsylvania
After a previous week of heightened levels, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention downgraded the number of Keystone State counties at high community level from six back to one.
Mercer County remains at a high COVID-19 community level as of late last week, and as such the CDC recommends masking in public, indoor places in that area.
The community levels are updated weekly on Thursdays and calculated based on new cases and hospitalizations per 100,000 individuals (seven-day totals), as well as the percent of in-patient hospital beds occupied by COVID-positive patients (a seven-day average).
Of the other counties at high as of Dec. 9, Bradford, Susquehanna and Sullivan are now at medium, and Franklin and Fulton are back at low. Crawford County also was elevated from a low to medium as of Dec. 15.
In addition to the new cases, the state health department counted 135 new COVID deaths, bringing the death toll there to 48,662.
Across the state, 1,329 individuals were hospitalized with COVID-19, including 165 in adult intensive care units and 64 on ventilators.
Health officials across the U.S. recommend vaccination, masking, good hygiene and staying home when sick to prevent spreading all types of respiratory viruses, including COVID-19.
The PA Department of Health is offering free testing for those preparing for holiday gatherings. The State College testing location is at 60 Decibel Road, Suite 107, and is open Monday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
COVID-19 in Centre County
Centre County remains at a low COVID-19 community level as of the CDC’s Dec. 15 update.
The federal health agency reports 142 new cases in the county during the latest week, down sightly from the 172 reported the previous period.
Centre County’s positivity rate fell as well, from 10.58% to 9.13% as of Dec. 15. That metric, along with the total confirmed cases, does not generally include positive tests taken at home.
For those who would like to have at-home testing kits on hand, the federal government recently reopened its mailing program. Each household can request another four kits be mailed to their address free of charge. To order yours, go online to covid.gov/tests.
To find a COVID-19 vaccine series or booster near you, visit vaccines.gov.