Centre, 36 other Pennsylvania counties at medium COVID-19 level this week. 1 at high
New reported cases of COVID-19 in Pennsylvania have fallen for the latest reporting week, according to state data, though the number of counties at an elevated COVID-19 community level has increased.
Among the counties at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s medium level is Centre County.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health reports 10,266 new cases for week running Feb. 15 to 21. That’s down from a week prior, when more than 11,000 new cases were reported.
These counts do not capture the full scope of COVID-19 in the commonwealth, as they do not include positives from at-home tests or those not reported to health officials.
Overall hospitalizations in the state have also fallen, from 1,152 to 1,135 individuals receiving treatment. The most severe cases, those in adult intensive care units, rose by 19, however, to 129. Statewide, 50 patients are on ventilators.
Deaths from COVID-19 ticked down this week, with 113 reported Wednesday, bringing the total since the onset of the pandemic to 50,168 people in Pennsylvania. They are part of the greater 1.11 million Americans who have succumb to the virus.
Across the U.S., new cases, hospitalizations and deaths are trending down, according to data from the CDC through Thursday.
COVID-19 community levels in Pennsylvania
As of the CDC’s weekly Thursday update, the number of Pennsylvania counties at low fell from 39 to 29.
After three weeks with no counties at the high community level, one Pennsylvania region, Sullivan, has been upgraded to the highest level.
The number at medium also grew since last week, from 28 to 37.
Under its remaining mask guidance, the CDC recommends wearing a well-fitting face covering in indoor spaces at a high community level. At medium, those at higher risk for serious illness should also consider masking.
The community levels are updated each Thursday for all U.S. counties and based on weekly totals of new cases and hospitalizations, as well as a seven-day average of the percent of staffed hospital beds occupied by COVID-19 patients.
COVID-19 in Centre County
According to CDC data current through Wednesday, the county has 139 new reported COVID-19 cases, which is fewer new cases than the prior week.
The positivity rate rose, however, to 13.23%. That is calculated using the number of positives over the total number of tests taken during the period.
Several adjacent counties were also at the medium level this week: Clearfield, Clinton, Union and Snyder.
As of Thursday, nine individuals were hospitalized with COVID-19 at Mount Nittany Health. That’s down from a high of 16 Tuesday.
Those patients range in age from 58 to 85 and none are on ventilators.
To find a free COVID-19 vaccine or booster near you, visit vaccines.gov.