Allegheny County concerned with jump in coronavirus cases

Allegheny County officials on Monday reported 45 new cases of covid-19 — the highest daily total in nearly two months — and warned residents to remain vigilant.

County officials attributed the increase to people traveling outside the state and lowering their guard after the state eased lockdown restrictions. Too many people are not wearing masks or social distancing, they said.

“We’ve done so well up until now. We’ve flattened the curve. We’ve opened stores and restaurants. Our kids are out playing again,” Allegheny County Health Department Director Debra Bogen said during a news briefing Monday. “But I am concerned with the new numbers.”

The surge comes a little more than two weeks after Allegheny County moved to the green phase of Gov. Tom Wolf’s three-tiered reopening plan.

The number of new cases rose over the past week to 134 from 56 the week before, Bogen said.

About 40% of the new cases are in people ages 25 to 49, while 20% involve people 19 to 24 and about 10% are in children. In the past, most cases were among people older than 65.

Those numbers are reflective of people going to bars and restaurants and being out and about in the community, Bogen said. So far, the rise is not connected to the daily demonstrations about racial injustice.

“We have not seen a large number of new cases or clusters from recent events and mass gatherings,” Bogen said.

Pittsburgh-based infectious disease and critical care physician Amesh Adalja said he isn’t surprised by the increase.

“It’s not surprising to see cases rise as people socially interact — that is a simple biological fact based on the characteristics of the virus,” Dr. Adalja said. “The cases are tending to occur in younger age groups reflective of national trends in testing milder cases and younger people being more likely to resume activities.”

Adalja added: “People need to be mindful that the virus is still there and will be until a vaccine is available. No activity will be risk-free, and it’s up to individuals to decide what activities they want to engage in, based on their individual risk tolerances.”

In all, there have been 2,220 coronavirus cases in Allegheny County, according to health officials. Of those, 2,083 are confirmed cases and 137 are probable cases.

Information on Monday’s 45 cases wasn’t immediately available, but Bogen was able to share data from the 37 cases that were reported over the weekend. On Saturday, the county reported 20 new cases. On Sunday, there were 17 new cases.

“In about half of those, the person had traveled out of state before testing positive,” Bogen said. “Only four people who tested positive had a known contact. Three are health care workers.”

Those who traveled did so by car, bus or plane, Bogen said. She declined to reveal travel destinations.

On Monday, the county reported one new hospitalization, increasing the total to 365, and no new deaths.

Bogen said hospitalizations tend to lag about a week behind new cases.

Adalja said the number of hospitalizations will be “the key indicator to follow.”

Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald described the situation as “dangerous” and “serious.”

“I think there has been a little bit of a natural relaxation when we went into the green,” Fitzgerald said. “Let’s continue to be responsible for each other.”

Bogen said the past few days should serve as a reminder as to how quickly the numbers can change.

She said people should continue to follow previously addressed guidelines to help mitigate the spread of the coronavirus, such as social distancing and wearing a mask.

People who are traveling or going on vacation should avoid large crowds and wear masks, she said. Anyone who thinks they’ve been exposed to covid-19 while on vacation is advised to self-quarantine. People should get tested if they think they may have it or develop symptoms.

Bogen also suggested people sit outdoors when possible at restaurants and encouraged outdoor activities.

“Studies have shown that sun and wind both reduce the spread of the coronavirus,” Bogen said.