Allegheny County tops 230 new coronavirus cases

Local health officials on Thursday reported 233 new cases of covid-19 in Allegheny County — more than doubling Wednesday’s case count, which had been a record high. There were four new hospitalizations and no deaths reported.

Ages among the newly infected individuals range from 6 months old to 99 years old. The median age is 29.

“While an increase in the number of cases was expected, this is larger than expected,” a statement from county officials said. “The expectation is that the numbers will also significantly increase again tomorrow. Wearing masks, washing your hands and maintaining physical distance is absolutely essential to keep our community safe — now more than ever.”

While County officials reported no new deaths, the state Department of Health recorded one new death in Allegheny County Thursday, bringing the county’s total to 188. In the past, County officials have said the reason for differences in covid-19 tallies is in the state’s reporting databases. The county has access to only one of the two systems from which the state collects its data.

The county has three times this week reported daily case counts in the triple digits, reflecting the highest single-day jumps since the pandemic began.

Allegheny County made up 28% of the 832 cases reported across the state Thursday. Philadelphia County, by comparison, reported 138 cases, about 16.5%.

At a news conference Wednesday afternoon, Allegheny County Health Director Debra Bogen said many of the new cases are among younger individuals. The number of 19- to 24-year-olds who have tested positive more than doubled in the last 10 days of June.

Health experts have said rising cases are less a concern than rising hospitalizations — but Bogen said Wednesday that hospitalizations are also starting to “creep up.” There have been 35 new hospitalizations since June 20, and of those new hospitalizations, at least seven patients are in their 20s and 30s.

Dr. Donald Yealy, UPMC’s chief of emergency medicine, said Thursday that there have been more hospitalized patients with covid-19 across the UPMC system and in Southwestern Pennsylvania over the last few days. He said the severity of their illness is generally lower, and the number of patients is still lower than what the system experienced in April and May.

Many of the new cases represent younger individuals who are asymptomatic or who have fewer symptoms, he said.

“We still have to be vigilant, though,” Yealy said. “Even the young, they have a responsibility not only to themselves but to others. They can’t tell who’s at a high risk more than others.”

Yealy said it’s imperative that all individuals wear masks in public, wash their hands frequently and adhere to social distancing guidelines.

UPMC Presbyterian shuts down unit

Separately, UPMC Presbyterian temporarily closed a unit after the hospital said several employees were potentially exposed to the coronavirus outside of the Oakland facility.

All of the employees who were potentially exposed to the virus are self-quarantining at home, as statement from the hospital said.

UPMC also said in the statement that patients in that unit were not exposed, but have been moved to other units.

Recent surge

Thursday’s update brings the county’s total cases to 3,103. There have been 401 past and present hospitalizations due to covid-19, and 187 deaths. The first two cases were reported March 14.

Over the last seven days, Allegheny County has reported 782 new cases, which is 25% of its total.

There have been more than 57,000 covid-19 tests administered in the county during the pandemic. In recent days, more than 10% of daily tests have come back positive — compared to under 5% for much of May.

The expectation is that the numbers will also significantly increase again tomorrow. Wearing masks, washing your hands and maintaining physical distance from others is absolutely essential to keep our community safe – now more than ever.

— Allegheny County Health Department (@HealthAllegheny) July 2, 2020

Yealy said the percentage of positive cases has fluctuated throughout the pandemic. While the percentage has risen in the last several days, he said it’s still “nowhere near” what it was during the first few weeks of the pandemic.

“It’s our job to be looking hard and responding to what’s occurring,” he said.

In an attempt to quell the surge in new cases, Allegheny County officials ordered all bars, restaurants and casinos to halt on-premises dining, expanding an order earlier this week that banned the on-site consumption of alcohol. Gov. Tom Wolf on Wednesday expanded an order to make masks mandatory in outdoor situations where social distancing can’t be maintained.

A county spokeswoman said Bogen and her team would not be available to answer questions Thursday, and there would not be a news briefing. The county said all health department staff are working throughout the weekend and are bringing on new hires for case investigation and contact tracing.

Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto strongly encouraged city residents to reconsider plans for large Independence Day gatherings this weekend, in light of the surge in cases.

“If you can, please just stay home,” he said in a statement. “We are at a critical juncture in the fight against the pandemic and letting our guards down, even for a beloved summer holiday, will only make things markedly worse for our families, friends and neighbors.”