Pa. reports 621 new virus cases, highest increase in 2 weeks

A day after all but one Pennsylvania county reopened in the green phase, 621 new cases were reported by the state Health Department Saturday, the largest one-day increase in two weeks.

There have been 84,991 infections statewide since the start of the pandemic. Saturday was the third straight day with an increase in new coronavirus cases.

The state also reported 24 more deaths to COVID-19, bringing the total to 6,603.

Hospitalizations

The department website showed about noon Saturday that 651 people in Pennsylvania were hospitalized for COVID-19. Of those hospitalized, 118 were on ventilators.

The number of hospital patients was 24 fewer than on Friday, as the figure has declined every day since Monday.

Testing

Of the 12,667 tests reported on Saturday, 4.1% were positive for coronavirus. Since testing began, 646,780 patients have tested negative for the virus.

Lehigh Valley

There were 18 new cases reported in Lehigh County and 17 new cases reported in Northampton County. This brings the Lehigh County total to 4,205 and the Northampton County total to 3,377.

Four more deaths in Lehigh County were reported, bringing the total to 292. Two more deaths were reported in Northampton, bringing the total there to 265.

Long-term Care

There are 17,622 cases of the virus among nursing and personal care home residents, as well as 3,193 cases among employees. The overall total of 20,815 in those facilities represents nearly one-fourth of the state’s cases.

In addition, there have been 4,528 deaths associated with long-term care facilities, or nearly 69% of the total deaths.

Other developments

The state announced Saturday a three-step process toward easing restrictions at nursing homes and other long-term care facilities , which have been the hardest hit by the coronavirus. Facilities must develop safety plans and screening protocols for staff, residents and visitors, and must be COVID-free for 14 days before moving from the first to the second step, where visitors are allowed, then for another 14 days before moving to the third step.