COVID cases see hike in hospitalizations

HARRISBURG, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Health on Wednesday reported 4,394 new COVID-19 cases statewide and a surge in COVID-related hospitalizations.

The state said there are 2,518 hospitalized patients due to COVID-19, the highest number since May 5. The pandemic high was 7,320 on Dec. 16, 2020. There were 97 new hospitalizations, the highest one-day number since Aug. 10. Of those hospitalized 613 are in intensive care units, an increase of four from Tuesday.

In Clinton County 23 new cases were reported on Wednesday, bringing the total to 4,183. Centre County saw an increase of 62 on Wednesday to 18,893, while Lycoming County increased by 70 to 13,851.

Recent numbers from the CDC show the COVID positivity rate in Clinton County at 7.09%, 8.19% percent in Centre County and 14.58% percent in Lycoming County. The most recent statewide positivity rate, through Sept. 16, was 8.9%.

66 new deaths were reported by the state; the death count in Clinton County remained at 71.