PA Coronavirus Death Toll Passes 3K As 554 More Reported Tuesday

HARRISBURG, PA — Pennsylvania's coronavirus death toll surpassed 3,000 Tuesday, as 554 new deaths were confirmed. The deaths confirmed Tuesday occurred over the past two weeks, according to Pennsylvania Department of Health officials.

There were 865 additional positive cases of COVID-19 confirmed Tuesday, bringing the total number of cases statewide to 50,957. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania have cases of COVID-19, and 24 counties are preparing to begin the reopening process Friday.

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Philadelphia has the highest number of deaths of any Pennsylvania county. There have been 627 COVID-19 deaths there. The suburbs of Philadelphia have also had a significant number of fatalities from the virus.

Montgomery County has confirmed 443 deaths, Delaware County has confirmed 318 and Bucks County has 283 deaths. In Chester County, 149 coronavirus deaths have been confirmed.

Meanwhile, the state is moving towards a phased reopening. There are more than two dozen counties preparing to move from the "red" phase of mitigation measures — the statewide shut down and business closures — to the "yellow" phase.

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In the yellow phase, the stay-at-home orders are lifted, and many nonessential businesses can reopen if they follow guidance from the governor's office.

The counties that will move from red to yellow this Friday are: Bradford, Cameron, Centre, Clarion, Clearfield, Clinton, Crawford, Elk, Erie, Forest, Jefferson, Lawrence, Lycoming, McKean, Mercer, Montour, Northumberland, Potter, Snyder, Sullivan, Tioga, Union, Venango and Warren.

More information on the guidance for businesses in those counties going to the yellow phase is here.

There is currently no timeline for counties in the Philadelphia region to reopen.

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