Pennsylvania shatters record for new COVID-19 cases with over 11,000; Allegheny Co. tops 1,000 for first time

PITTSBURGH — The Pennsylvania Department of Health reported a record-setting jump in new coronavirus cases in the state.

With 11,406 new cases, Pa. shattered its previous record for newly reported COVID-19 cases. Since the pandemic began, there have now been 386,837 total cases statewide.

According to the health department, there are currently 4,982 people hospitalized from the coronavirus -- 1,048 of those are in the ICU. Most of the patients hospitalized are ages 65 or older, and most of the deaths have occurred in patients 65 or older.

Health officials said the 67,067 test results reported to the department by Wednesday night is the highest number of results reported since March. The number of tests administered within the last 7 days is 381,784 with 47,602 positive cases.

The health department also reported 187 new deaths statewide.

You can see a county-by-county breakdown of COVID-19 on the state’s dashboard HERE.

Allegheny County also broke its record for new coronavirus cases in a single day with 1,028. Of those, 962 were confirmed cases from 2,614 new tests.

The Allegheny County Health Department said the new cases Thursday ranged in age from one month to 98 years old -- with a median age of 44. Only 11 of the positive tests are more than a week old.

“It pains me to report these numbers. I had hoped we’d never see this level of community spread. This heartbreaking milestone must move our community into action. I implore to you cancel parties, weddings, gatherings, events and stay home whenever possible,” said Health Department Director Dr. Debra Bogen. “My heart goes out to all the families who have lost loved ones throughout this pandemic. We can, and we must do better.”

There were also 20 new deaths reported in the county. The youngest person who died was in their 40s, officials said.

Since March 14, there have been 30,543 cases of COVID-19 in Allegheny County residents, 2,140 hospitalizations and 544 deaths.

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