Hospitalizations, deaths and cases up as CDC puts 7 PA counties at high COVID level
New COVID-19 cases, deaths and hospitalizations are on the rise in Pennsylvania, according the latest data from the state health department.
During the most recent reporting week, which ran Dec. 28 to Jan. 3, the Pennsylvania Department of Health reported 15,177 new confirmed cases. That’s more than 2,500 more cases than the prior week, which included the Christmas holiday.
The new cases come as the U.S. sees a spike, likely driven by seasonal holiday gatherings, as well as new variants of the coronavirus, including omicron strain XBB1.5.
Generally speaking, publicly reported COVID-19 cases represent a fraction of actual infections, given the rise in at-home testing and symptom care.
In addition to a jump in cases, the Keystone State also saw an upswing in hospitalizations over the last week. The state’s health agency reports 216 new hospitalizations as of Wednesday, bringing the total to 1,747.
The number of the most serious cases also jumped, with 205 patients in adult intensive care units and 97 on ventilators.
Finally, as part of its Jan. 4 update, the Pennsylvania Department of Health reported 142 new COVID-19 deaths, with the state now surpassing the 49,000 mark since the onset of the pandemic.
COVID-19 community levels in PA
Using the latest state data, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revised its COVID-19 community levels Thursday to reflect seven counties at high, compared to one the week before.
At a high community level, the CDC recommends individuals mask up in public, indoor spaces and other crowded settings, like public transit.
The seven counties at high as of Jan. 6 are Mercer, Susquehanna, Bradford, Sullivan, Lycoming, Clinton and Lebanon.
Mercer County has been scored high for several straight weeks.
The number of counties at medium increased for the second week in a row as well, up from 31 to 44. That leaves 16 Pennsylvania counties in the low category.
CDC officials update the community levels each Thursday for all U.S. counties based on new cases and hospitalizations per 100,000 people (seven-day totals) and the percent of staffed hospital beds occupied by COVID-positive patients (a seven-day average).
The CDC data show cases and deaths are up across the country, though hospitalizations appear flatter, with 42,297 Americans getting treatment, per Friday figures.
That same CDC data indicates just 15.4% of Americans ages 5 and older have received their updated, bivalent booster shot that became available for many in September.
COVID-19 in Centre County
Centre County remains at a low community level as of Friday, though all its contiguous counties have been rated either medium or high.
The CDC reports 127 news cases there, up a bit from last week’s 116, and a positivity rate that has dropped slightly to 9.92%. Like new case data, positivity rate calculations (the number of positive tests over the total administered during the period) do not include at-home positives.
Hospitalizations at Mount Nittany Health are relatively flat over the last week, with 14 receiving care as of Thursday. The hospital reports no fewer than 12 COVID patients at a time in the last seven days.
Those currently hospitalized range in age from 31 to 87. None are in the ICU or on a ventilator.
The vaccination rate in the county is slightly higher than the state at large. The CDC says 18.9% of Centre County residents ages 5 and older have received their bivalent booster, or 29,504 individuals.
To find a vaccine near you, visit vaccines.gov. If you are unsure if you qualify for another booster, you can find the CDC’s full guidance online.