Lehigh Valley surpasses 1,000 deaths

The state Health Department reported 9,698 additional coronavirus cases Thursday, the fourth straight day of increases in the state, and approaching the threshold of 10,000 daily cases last seen Dec. 16.

The seven-day moving average of newly reported cases was 7,537, up 6% from 7,134 a week ago.

Lehigh and Northampton counties have seen a combined 1,005 residents die from COVID19 since the state’s first death was reported in Northampton

County on March 18, including 71 in the last week.

To date, there have been 693,087 coronavirus infections statewide since the start of the pandemic.

The Health Department also issued a statement Thursday morning confirming that the new variant of the COVID-19 virus has been confirmed in a person in Dauphin County who had an “international exposure.” The person had experienced mild symptoms and isolated, but is no longer symptomatic.

The state reported 265 more, compared with 368 Wednesday, bringing the state’s death toll to 17,179.

Of the new deaths, 49 were in nursing or personal care facilities, compared with 183 the day before.

That brings the total to 9,311 deaths in nursing homes and assisted living facilities, making up about 54% of the state’s deaths. While residents of such facilities account for over half the state’s deaths, they comprise only 1.2% of the state’s population and less than 7% of the 65-or-older population.

As of midday Thursday, 5,491 people were hospitalized, compared with 5,613 Wednesday. Of those, 625 were on ventilators, and 1,113 were in intensive care beds. The number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 is about 85% of the peak reported Dec. 16.

The portion of occupied ICU beds that are taken by COVID-19 patients was about 27% Thursday, compared with more than 40% Dec. 20.

There were 17,374 people who received test results Wednesday, with 38% of them testing positive, compared to 37% Tuesday. The overall positive test rate is 15.6% since the state’s first cases were reported March 7.

In the Lehigh Valley, 732 new cases (418 in Lehigh County, 314 in Northampton County), compared with 574 the day before, bring the total to 40,764. The region saw 17 new deaths (eight in Lehigh County, nine in Northampton County), compared with 20 the day before. That brings the total to 1,005.

—