Pennsylvania reports 36 new covid-19 deaths

The Pennsylvania Department of Health reported 719 new cases and 36 new deaths from covid-19 on Thursday, bringing the totals to 92,867 cases and 6,848 deaths statewide.

Allegheny County reported 158 new coronavirus cases Thursday and Philadelphia County reported 161 coronavirus cases, accounting for almost 45% of the state’s total new cases.

“There are 635 patients who have a positive serology test and either covid-19 symptoms or a high-risk exposure, which are considered probable cases and not confirmed cases,” the department said in a statement.

The most severe cases are seen in patients over the age of 65 and more than half of the cases in Pennsylvania are seen in patients age 50 or older.

However, according to a statement, “the department is seeing significant increases in the number of covid-19 cases among younger age groups, particularly 19- to 24-year-olds.”

In southwest Pennsylvania, 19- to 24-year-olds accounted for approximately 5% of cases in April but more than 28% of cases so far in July.

There have been 18,092 cases in residents, 3,396 cases in employees and 4,667 deaths in nursing and personal care homes. These deaths account for 68.2% of the state’s deaths. More than 730 nursing facilities have been affected by the virus.

Of the total number, 6,964 coronavirus cases stem from health care workers.

Of those who contracted the virus, 77% have recovered, with 787,156 people testing negative for the virus statewide.

All 67 Pennsylvania counties are in the green phase of Gov. Tom Wolf’s reopening plan.

In response to the surge in cases, Wolf issued a masking order for Pennsylvanians in public spaces and where social distancing is not possible.