Cameron County was the only county in the state that wasn’t listed in the “substantial level of community transmission” on Monday, according to Gov. Tom Wolf.
Wolf and Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine released a weekly status update on Monday, highlighting a seven-day case increase of 41,424 cases, statewide percent positivity of 11.7%, and 66 of 67 counties with substantial transmission status.
The percent positivity rates for area counties were as follows: Potter County, 18.7%
Cameron County, 12.7%; Elk County, 10.1%; and McKean County, 8.7%. The rate means the percentage of all coronavirus tests performed that are actually positive.
This week’s update compares the period of Nov. 20 to 26 to the previous seven days, Nov. 13 to 19.
“Pennsylvania continues to trend in the wrong direction as COVID-19 continues to spread,” Wolf said. “Last week, we took a number of mitigation steps designed to reverse this trend and help protect Pennsylvanians. We need all Pennsylvanians to follow these measures as part of their collective responsibility to protect one another. I remain convinced that by working together Pennsylvanians can stop the spread of this virus.”
As of Nov. 26, the state had seen a seven-day case increase of 41,424 cases; the previous seven-day increase was 37,380 cases, indicating 4,044 more new cases across the state over the past week compared to the previous week.
On Nov. 23, Elk County was reporting 442 cases, and on Monday, 545 cases; in McKean County, 385 cases a week ago, and on Monday, 477; in Potter County, last week, 152 cases, and on Monday, 219; and in Cameron County, there were 19 cases last week, and on Monday, there were 26.
According to the health department, every county in the state has a concerning percent positivity above five percent except for one county, Forest County at 3.6 percent. This includes five counties (Juniata, Mifflin, Bedford, Somerset and Tioga) with percent positivity above 20 percent.
“This week’s data, and the one week change in the rate of hospitalizations and ventilator use is a reminder to us all of our role in protecting our health care system,” Levine said. “Latest models continue to indicate very concerning trends for our hospital availability and ICU bed availability. We know COVID-19 does not discriminate and is affecting every county in the commonwealth. It is affecting all Pennsylvanians, no matter your race, ethnicity, age, socioeconomic status or whether you live in a rural, suburban or urban area.”
The Department of Health is providing weekly data on the number of individuals who responded to case investigators that they spent time at business establishments (restaurants, bars, gym/fitness centers, salon/barbershops) and at mass gatherings 14 days prior to the onset of COVID-19 symptoms.
It is important to note that due to the recent number of cases, the department is prioritizing case investigations. In addition to the need for people to answer the call, the significant number of cases helps contribute to the low percentages in contact tracing data. All of this reinforces the need for Pennsylvanians to take steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Of the 44,525 confirmed cases reported between Nov. 15 and 21, 7 percent (3,038) provided an answer to the question as to whether they spent time at a business establishment.
Of those who did provide an answer, 0.9 percent, or 392, answered yes, they visited a business establishment 14 days prior to onset of symptoms:
Of the 44,525 confirmed cases, 6.9 percent (3,063) answered the question as to whether they attended a mass gathering or other large event. Of the 6.9 percent, 13 percent (398) answered yes to whether they attended a mass gathering or other large event 14 days prior to onset of symptoms.
