State COVID Case Increase above 60,400; Percent Positivity At 16.2%; Clinton Fourth Worst
HARRISBURG, PA – The Pennsylvania weekly COVID-19 status update released on Monday had more sobering news: a seven-day case increase of 60,412 cases, a statewide percent positivity of 16.2% and all 67 counties with substantial transmission status.
The numbers from the state show that Clinton County, with a positivity rate of 28.3 percent over the last week, is the fourth worst in the state; Clinton is exceeded only by Bedford County at 32.1 percent, Crawford at 31 percent and Somerset at 28.5 percent, among the state’s 67 counties. Centre County’s positivity rate is 12.9 percent, Lycoming County at 20.9 percent.
“As our percent positivity continues to increase, it is important for all Pennsylvanians to work to prevent the spread,” Gov. Wolf said. “That is why we made the mitigation announcement last week to put Pennsylvania on pause. We need all Pennsylvanians to follow these measures as part of their collective responsibility to protect one another and the health system.”
As of Thursday, Dec. 10, the state has seen a seven-day case increase of 60,412 cases; the previous seven-day increase was 50,577 cases, indicating 9,835 more new cases across the state over the past week compared to the previous week.
The statewide percent-positivity went up to 16.2% from 14.4% last week. Every county in the state has a concerning percent positivity above five percent. This includes two counties (Bedford and Crawford) above 30 percent and 15 counties with percent positivity above 20 percent.
“This week’s data coupled by the continued strain COVID-19 is placing on the rate of hospitalizations and ventilator use serve as a reminder to us all of our role in protecting our health care system,” Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said. “The numbers continue to indicate very concerning trends for our hospital availability and ICU bed availability, even as we see some counties with very little capacity left. We know COVID-19 does not discriminate and is affecting every county in the commonwealth. This virus knows no bounds and it is affecting all Pennsylvanians, no matter your race, ethnicity, age, socioeconomic status or whether you live a rural, suburban or urban area.”
