County reports no new virus cases

For the first time since Allegheny County reported its first case of COVID-19 on March 14, there were zero new cases reported on Wednesday.

The total number of cases for the county remains at 2,113.

County Executive Rich Fitzgerald also noted during a video news conference the county has not seen a spike in cases as a result of the primary election or demonstrations that took place in early June, as reflected in the case numbers over the past two weeks.

The county did report three additional deaths, bringing the total to 177. Of those, 165 are confirmed and 12 are probable.

State and county health officials warned that just because the numbers statewide are on a downward trend, it does not mean it is time to relax on the guidelines put in place by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. They urged Pennsylvania residents to be aware of complacency.

“We are not through this pandemic,” said Dr. Debra Bogen, head of the county Health Department. “We are making good progress, but we are in the early stages.”

She estimates no more than 3% of the county has been exposed, leaving 97% still at risk for the respiratory virus.

“Today’s report of no new cases does not reflect the real time spread of the virus over Allegheny County,” Dr. Bogen added. “We still have a long way to go.”

The total number of hospitalizations reported by Allegheny County throughout the pandemic is 358. Of them, 141 required intensive care and at least 70 needed a mechanical ventilator.

The state health department on Wednesday reported 42 new deaths and 335 new positive cases of COVID-19.

There were two other deaths reported in Western Pennsylvania, one each in Butler and Erie counties. Those counties now have 13 and nine deaths, respectively.

With these new numbers, the state’s total number of cases is 79,818 and the total number of deaths is 6,319.

The state health department said of the nearly 80,000 cases about 75% of them have recovered.

State Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine urged those who have recovered from COVID-19 to donate blood and plasma.

Plasma from people who have recovered from the virus carries antibodies and could be helpful for those who are currently fighting the virus.

People who have not had the virus are also encouraged to donate blood, platelets and plasma.

Here are the total number of positive cases reported Wednesday in Western Pennsylvania:

• Allegheny: 2,113 (no change from Tuesday)

• Armstrong: 68 (no change)

• Beaver: 615 (up 2)

• Butler: 263 (up 3)

• Cambria: 61 (no change)

• Clarion: 31 (no change)

• Clearfield: 57 (no change)

• Crawford: 35 (no change)

• Erie: 478 (up 6)

• Fayette: 98 (up 3)

• Forest: 7 (no change)

• Greene: 30 (no change)

• Indiana: 95 (no change)

• Jefferson: 19 (no change)

• Lawrence: 88 (up 1)

• Mercer: 117 (no change)

• Somerset: 41 (no change)

• Venango: 17 (no change)

• Washington: 158 (up 2)

• Westmoreland: 498 (up 5)

Here are the total number of deaths reported Wednesday by the state in Western Pennsylvania:

• Allegheny: 177 (up 3 from Tuesday). The state also reports 177 (no change from Tuesday).

• Armstrong: 5 (no change)

• Beaver: 77 (no change)

• Butler: 13 (up 1)

• Cambria: 3 (no change)

• Clarion: 2 (no change)

• Clearfield: 0 (no change)

• Crawford: 0 (no change)

• Erie: 9 (up 1)

• Fayette: 4 (no change)

• Forest: 0 (no change)

• Greene: 0 (no change)

• Indiana: 5 (no change)

• Jefferson: 1 (no change)

• Lawrence: 8 (no change)

• Mercer: 6 (no change)

• Somerset: 1 (no change)

• Venango: 0 (no change)

• Washington: 6 (no change)

• Westmoreland: 38 (no change). The Westmoreland County coroner is reporting 32 deaths.