by PublicSource Reporters
Allegheny County reported 911 new COVID-19 cases Friday and 26 new deaths. Friday’s case tally follows a record-breaking 1,028 new cases and 20 deaths reported Thursday.
Thursday’s caseload showed a sharp increase in local infections and was met with a plea from Dr. Debra Bogen, director of the county health department, to cancel social activities.
“It pains me to report these numbers,” Bogen said in an emailed statement Dec. 3. “I had hoped we’d never see this level of community spread. This heartbreaking milestone must move our community into action. I implore [you to] cancel parties, weddings, gatherings, events and stay home whenever possible.”
Throughout the pandemic, Allegheny County has seen 31,454 COVID-19 cases, 2,189 hospitalizations and 570 deaths.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health on Friday reported its highest daily increase, with 11,673 new COVID-19 cases. Of the 5,071 patients who are in the hospital, 1,065 are in intensive care.
The state reported 169 new deaths. Since the pandemic began, Pennsylvania has seen 398,600 total cases and 11,113 deaths.
In a Thursday virtual media briefing, Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine outlined the growing pressure being placed on hospitals and care facilities across the state as a result of rising COVID-19 cases.
Across the state, just over 5,000 people are currently hospitalized and more than 1,000 in intensive care units [ICU]. The Southwestern Pennsylvania and the Keystone region specifically are on the brink of reaching the staffing shortage trigger — one of three triggers Levine announced in an order last week in considering if elective procedures should be halted. That means a third or more of the hospitals in the region are expected to meet staffing capacity within the next week.
Southwestern Pennsylvanians ages 19 to 24 who tested positive represented about 10% of the total positive caseload in November, double the percentage in April.
On Wednesday, the county started providing free COVID-19 tests in a van through the company Curative. The county has already worked with the company on testing.
“The van is big and bright purple,” Bogen said. “You cannot miss it.”
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