The number of COVID-19 cases has increased in Elk County again, with 30 positives listed by the state health department as of Monday.
The county was also reported as having 1,357 negative tests. Other local counties have seen the virus count unchanged in several days. McKean County has had 20 cases and 2,286 negative tests; Potter County, 18 cases and 372 negative tests; and Cameron County, 4 positives and 290 negative tests.
Statewide, there were 328 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 95,742.
The number of tests administered within the last 7 days between July 6 and July 12 is 135,631 with 5,560 positive test results.
There are 6,911 total deaths attributed to COVID-19, an increase of 7 new deaths reported. Mask-wearing is required in all businesses and whenever leaving home. Consistent mask-wearing is critical to preventing the spread of COVID-19.
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. There are 835,732 patients who have tested negative to date.
Over the weekend, the health department sent out an alert to healthcare providers indicating results have shown significant increases in the number of COVID-19 cases among younger age groups, particularly 19 to 24-year-olds. The alert explained the changing COVID-19 case demographics, as there are more cases in younger age groups than in those 50-64 and 65+.
“There are increasing numbers of COVID-19 cases associated with travel and social gatherings or social settings, including bars, restaurants, and parties,” the alert read. “Healthcare providers who are evaluating patients for COVID-19 should instruct the patient to isolate while awaiting test results.
“Patients should be asked to develop a list of people who were in close contact (defined as being within 6 feet for a period of 15 minutes or more depending upon the exposure) with them from the period 48 hours before symptom onset or test date for asymptomatic persons to the time at which the patient isolated,” the alert stated.
The following regions have seen significant increases among 19 to 24-year-olds in each month from April to present in July:
• SW – Approximately 5 percent of cases in April to nearly 25 percent of cases so far in July;
• SE – Nearly 5 percent of cases in April to nearly 17 percent of cases so far in July;
• NE – Nearly 6 percent of cases in April to over 16 percent of cases so far in July;
• NW – Nearly 7 percent of cases in April to nearly 12 percent of cases so far in July; and
• NC – Nearly 8 percent of cases in April to nearly 13 percent of cases so far in July.
• SC – Approximately 7 percent of cases in April to nearly 13 percent of cases so far in July.
In nursing and personal care homes, there are 18,279 resident cases of COVID-19, and 3,481 cases among employees, for a total of 21,760 at 750 distinct facilities in 55 counties. Out of the total deaths, 4,699 have occurred in residents from nursing or personal care facilities.
As of July 9, Elk Haven Nursing Home was reporting one resident with a confirmed case of COVID-19, and 3 confirmed staff cases, according to a notification on the facility’s website.
As of July 9 at Sena Kean Manor in Smethport, there were no residents but two staff members had confirmed cases of COVID-19, according to the facility’s website.
