Allegheny County breaks 7-day covid case record

Allegheny County added 484 more cases of coronavirus Friday, according to the county Health Department.

The latest batch of cases brings the county’s seven-day total to a record 3,398 cases, with a record average in that span of 485 cases per day.

Since the pandemic began in March, the county has seen 22,527 cases of covid-19. Health officials estimate about 59% (12,559) of those who have contracted the virus have recovered.

Among Friday’s new cases, 371 were confirmed through 1,972 PCR tests, at an 18.81% test-positive rate. The dates of positive tests ranged from Nov. 3-19. Six of the tests are more than a week old.

The remaining 113 cases were listed as probable.

The day’s new cases range in age from 1 year to 102 years with a median age of 42 years.

Friday’s new case count is the fifth-highest single-day posting for the county. However, it is a 20% drop from Thursday’s 609 cases.

Health officials said there were three new covid-related deaths — one person in their 80s and two in their 90s. The dates of death ranged from Nov. 13-19. One of the deaths was associated with a long-term care facility.

Of the latest cases — 282 female, 202 male — here is the age breakdown:

• Ages 0-4: 5
• Ages 5-12: 11
• Ages 13-18: 28
• Ages 19-24: 54
• Ages 25-49: 186
• Ages 50-64: 97
• Ages 65 and over: 103

According to the state’s covid-19 tracking website, of the 385 Allegheny County residents in the hospital with the virus, 134 of them are in intensive care units and 54 of them on ventilators. State officials report there are 814 operational ventilators in the county, with 241 (29.6%) currently in use for all illnesses.

To date, the county reports that 1,739 residents have been hospitalized for the virus, with 15 new hospitalizations reported Friday.