Allegheny County reports 6 new covid-19 deaths, 204 new cases
Share this post:
Allegheny County health officials reported 204 new cases of coronavirus Tuesday, marking the third day the county has surpassed 200 cases in a daily report. The county also reported seven new hospitalizations and six new deaths.
The positive cases make up about 8% of the 2,404 test results the county received Tuesday. These tests were administered between June 21 and July 6, officials said, and the positivity rate is at 9.4% for the month, officials said.
In the newest cases, officials said people who tested positive range in age from 1 month to 98 years, with the median age being 30.
The most recent update brings the county total to 3,979 cases since March 14, when the first two cases were reported. There have been 423 hospitalizations since the pandemic began, about 10.6% of all cases, and there have been 194 deaths.
The deaths reported today occurred between April 5 and June 13, officials said. All of the newest deaths were in individuals over the age of 65.
Cases of the virus spiked in Allegheny County in the last three weeks, representing a quarter of the state’s total case count on some days. In a press conference Monday, Gov. Tom Wolf said Allegheny’s numbers were worrisome.
“We have seen breakouts in certain areas. Allegheny County is the big area of concern at this point,” Wolf said. “We’re working closely with them.”
In response to the rising cases, county officials last week ordered the end of on-site service at bars and restaurants, allowing takeout and delivery to continue; casinos were also closed. That decision came days after bars and restaurants had been ordered to cease on-site alcohol consumption. Health Director Dr. Debra Bogen said that many of the new cases coming in have been traced back to bars and restaurants where health guidelines were not followed.
Bogen and county Executive Rich Fitzgerald will hold a press conference today at 4 p.m. with more information.