Allegheny County's 7-day new covid case average drops to lowest point since June

Continuing a trend in recent weeks, Allegheny County’s seven-day average new covid case count dropped to its lowest point since June 26.

The county’s Health Department announced 62 new coronavirus cases Friday from a total of 1,605 tests conducted Aug. 17-27. Of the new cases, all but three have been confirmed.

New cases range in age from 7 months to 97 years, with the median age being 38 years old.

The county also announced seven new covid-19 related deaths, with the range of death from Aug. 13-27. The deceased are two people in their 60s, three in their 70s, one in their 80s and one in their 90s. Four of the deaths are associated with a long-term care facility.

Earlier this week, Allegheny County Health Department director Dr. Debra Bogen said she’s willing to consider easing the limit on outdoor gatherings, which currently stands at 50 people.

On Thursday, the county made available an expanded amount of data regarding covid-19’s toll on the area. That included a breakdown by Allegheny County municipalities and neighborhoods. Among the information revealed is that Penn Hills has the most cases (349) with five areas having no cases at all (Mt. Oliver, Ben Avon Heights, St. Clair, Chateau and Trafford). Also: Mt. Lebanon is the most tested (7,086 residents) with Trafford the least tested (5).

According to the state’s covid-19 tracking website, there are currently 75 Allegheny County residents in the hospital for the virus, with 18 of them on ventilators. Allegheny County continues to update its hospitalization information, adding five new patients Friday. In all, 962 people have been hospitalized for covid-19.

The county’s website says there have been outcomes in 7,535 cases — where 7,210 are assumed to be recovered and 325 have died. That makes the recovery rate nearly 96% in cases with an outcome. Out of the county’s total of 10,128 covid-19 cases, there remain 2,593 cases without an assumed outcome.

The website counts individuals as recovered based on one of two conditions: It’s been 32 days since the person was hospitalized for covid-19 and not deceased; or, if they were not hospitalized, 14 days since they tested positive.