149 new COVID-19 cases reported in Allegheny Co., highest single-day increase since July

ALLEGHENY COUNTY, Pa. — There were 149 new COVID-19 cases, the highest single-day increase since July, and six deaths reported Friday in Allegheny County.

According to the Allegheny County Health Department, 107 of the new cases are confirmed cases and 42 are probable.

>>RELATED STORY: Here’s what Allegheny Co. officials say is contributing to a slow rise in cases

Positive tests were from Oct. 7 to Oct. 15, and the new cases ranged in age from 2 years old to 94 years old.

Of the six new deaths, two people were in their 70s, one person was in their 80s and three people were in their 90s. They died between Oct. 7 and Oct. 13, and two of the deaths are associated with long-term care facilities.

Since March 14, there have been 13,821 cases of COVID-19 in Allegheny County residents, 1,325 hospitalizations and 403 deaths.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health Friday reported that there were 1,566 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 179,086.

There are 8,457 total deaths attributed to COVID-19 across the state, which is an increase of 25 new deaths.

To date, 2,103,044 patients have tested negative.

JUST A TEMPORARY INCREASE OR SIGN OF THINGS TO COME?

There are several factors to keep an eye on to determine if this is a surge in COVID-19 cases or not. One of them is if numbers spike.

Earlier in the summer, Allegheny County saw daily cases rise from 55 on June 25 to a single-day record of 326 less than three weeks later.

Right now, cases are rising at a much steadier pace, reaching 149 today -- the highest total since that July surge.

While certainly not good news, the steadier increase keeps hospitals and other resources from being stretched thin, an issue we have yet to see locally.

Hospitalizations tend to lag two to three weeks behind the new cases, so it will be some time before the severity of this latest increase is known.

Gradual uptick in COVID-19 cases in Allegheny Co. caused by several activities

Cox Media Group