PA Coronavirus Positivity Rate Drops Statewide Again

PENNSYLVANIA — One of the most important key metrics used by Pennsylvania health officials to measure the course of the virus continues to decline.

That metric, the percent of all coronavirus tests which come back positive, dropped down to 4.0 percent this week, from 4.1 percent over the previous seven-day period. That's the third week in a row in which the rate has dropped, officials noted.

"(That) is a testament to the testing occurring, and that testing is widely available throughout the state,” Gov. Wolf said in a statement Friday. "However, with increased testing comes increased case counts. The virus is still circulating, and we must continue to wear masks, practice social distancing and avoid large gatherings to keep our numbers low, stop the spread and allow more freedom."

The data demonstrating the lower rate shows that additional measures put in place to slow the spread of the coronavirus are working, the governor said.

Still, the seven-day case increase has slightly risen statewide, up to 5,53o from 5,030 over the previous week. Officials note that residents are still participating in mass gatherings and large events, likely contributing to the spread of the virus where it could be eradicated to a more significant degree.

Of nearly 25,000 cases tracked by the state from July 13 to Aug. 11, 52 percent responded to the question of "have you attended a mass gathering?" in the two weeks leading up to their positive test. Of those, 12 percent (1,648 people) said "yes."

A total of 15 counties still have a "concerning" positivity rate. The World Health Organization has said positivity rates should be under 5 percent.

Those counties which officials said should be watched closely include Fayette (10.4 percent), Armstrong (8.9 percent), Cameron (8.7 percent), Huntingdon (7.1 percent), Dauphin (6.5 percent), Northumberland (6.4 percent), Mercer (6.3 percent), Erie (5.9 percent), Crawford (5.8 percent), Forest (5.8 percent), York (5.6 percent), Indiana (5.5 percent), Franklin (5.4 percent), Lawrence (5.3 percent), and Berks (5.0 percent).

Last week, the number of counties with that rate over five percent was 17.

Pennsylvania's coronavirus case total is at 122,960 as of Friday afternoon.