Pa. reports highest spike in infections this month

Pennsylvania health officials on Tuesday reported an increase of 1,120 new cases, the highest the state has seen this month, while Allegheny County is showing its second-highest spike in hospitalizations since the pandemic began.

Western Pennsylvania accounts for 292 of the new cases, with Allegheny County having the most — with 119 new infections — followed by Beaver County with 37 new cases. Cases in Fayette County reached 21 on Tuesday, up from just two cases Monday and a county record since the outbreak began in March.

Fayette has recorded a total of 336 COVID-19 cases since the outbreak began.

The spread of infections among workers prompted the closing of the Fayette County Courthouse offices effective Wednesday and continuing until Aug. 13, according to spokeswoman Kaylie Moore. The courts will be open for emergency matters and certain previously scheduled events, but

criminal court has been canceled for August.

Statewide, there have been 109,384 cases of COVID-19. The latest figures bring Allegheny’s total to 7,593 cases. The 119 additional diagnoses come from 1,804 tests administered between July 10 and July 27, according to health officials. They range in age from 10 months to 97 years old, with the median age being 50.

The county reported 20 new hospitalizations as a result of the coronavirus. The county has had 603 patients hospitalized as a result of the virus since the pandemic began in mid-March. The largest increase in hospitalizations occurred on July 24 with 22 new hospitalizations.

Statewide, there were 24 new deaths, 11 of which occurred in Western Pennsylvania. Beaver County reported three, Westmoreland County reported one and Allegheny reported seven of the newest deaths. The seven deaths reported by the Allegheny

County Health Department span from July 23 to July 26 and were people ranging from 75 to 95. The health department said “all appear to be related to longterm care facilities.” The death toll is 229 in Allegheny County.

In a news conference on Tuesday, Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said Pennsylvania has met the goal of testing every resident and employee within each longterm care facility in the state.

Dr. Levine also noted — despite calls from multiple senators to roll back the 25% restaurant capacity limit to at least 50% — the state has no plans to do so at this time. “We have to wait and see,” she said.

In terms of school’s reopening, the health department said it isn’t looking at one specific data point, but rather the information as a whole to decide if it is safe to return to in-person education.

Kris B. Mamula con