Allegheny County warns of surging covid cases coupled with flu season

On a day that Allegheny County reported 200 new covid-19 cases — and the state set a single-day record for new cases, with more than 2,800 confirmed and probable infections — health officials implored residents to cooperate with case investigations and contact tracing.

“The behavior of the virus in our community has not changed,” said Allegheny County Health Director Dr. Debra Bogen. “But as we move indoors, we must change our behavior.”

There were nearly 3,500 cases in Allegheny County in October, compared to 2,000 in September. There were 240 hospitalizations and 52 deaths last month. For comparison, throughout the entire flu season last year, there were only 177 hospitalizations and 15 deaths from the flu.

Bogen reiterated her message of prior weeks: that transmission throughout the county has not been tied to many large outbreaks or particular activities. She said covid-19 cases have been spread in “every part of public and personal life,” especially through familial gatherings with people “dropping their guard.” She reminded residents that at least 40% of covid-positive individuals are asymptomatic, and could be spreading the virus without knowing it.

“We do not have any plans at this time for new restrictions,” Bogen said. “But no matter what restrictions we do put in place, if we ever did, we’re not going to slow the virus unless everyone checks their own behavior and takes steps as we’ve outlined to really reduce the spread.”

Racial disparities are also increasingly evident as cases and hospitalizations rise in the county. The cumulative rate of infection per 100,000 residents is significantly higher for Asian and Black individuals, as is their rates of hospitalization, according to county data. For instance, only 13% of the county’s population is Black — but Black individuals make up 19% of the county’s cases and 30% of the county’s hospitalizations.

These differences are present in communities nationwide, Bogen said.

Health experts expect cold weather and influenza to exacerbate an already difficult situation with covid-19 in the region. Bogen announced the health department’s immunization clinic has already vaccinated nearly 1,500 people for the flu — more double the typical number of vaccinations for an entire flu season. The health department has also collaborated with partners to launch an online flu map, which allows users to locate vaccination providers. Sites including pharmacies, community health clinics and others are added every day.

During a county Board of Health meeting earlier in the day Wednesday, Bogen presented data on the magnitude of difference between covid-19 and other respiratory viruses like H1N1 and influenza at county, state and national levels. She noted that covid-19 has caused much more illness and death than those viruses it is frequently likened to.

“This virus is not a normal flu virus,” she said at the meeting. “We now have data from March to the end of October, and it’s quite alarming.”