1 Coronavirus Death Reported In PA Monday, Lowest Since March

HARRISBURG, PA — Total coronavirus cases in Pennsylvania passed 90,000 Monday, after 450 additional positive cases were reported. Statewide, there have been a total of 90,304 cases, with 78 percent of patients fully recovered.

Nearly half of the state's new cases reported Monday were out of Allegheny County, which has recently experienced an alarming uptick in coronavirus.

Cases increased by 218 overnight in Allegheny County, where officials say the rise is "very concerning."

Gov. Tom Wolf on Monday said the recent uptick in cases in southwest Pennsylvania have been traced to people not wearing masks in public places such as bars and restaurants.

Just one death was reported Monday, bringing Pennsylvania's coronavirus death count to 6,754. That's the lowest single-day death tally since the onset of the pandemic in March. But officials say that data point is not cause for optimism.

"We know that reporting of deaths typically slows down over the weekend, and particularly on a holiday weekend," said Pennsylvania Department of Heath Press Secretary Nate Wardle. He said that figure appears to be an exception rather than a predictor of lessening deaths and hospitalizations.

The current data does indicate hospitalizations continue to go down in Pennsylvania, however. On July 5, the state averaged 598 COVID-19 patients hospitalized daily over a 14-day period. That's compared to an average of 1,081 on June 5.

Officials continue to urge caution to stem additional outbreaks.

“As the entire state is now in the green phase, we must remain committed to protecting against COVID-19 by wearing a mask, practicing social distancing and avoiding large gatherings this holiday weekend,” Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said in a news release. “Pennsylvania has been a model for the country on how to reopen effectively using a careful, measured approach. However, the virus has not gone away and we are seeing cases rise, especially in Southwest Pennsylvania.”

Meanwhile, Pennsylvania has instituted various recommendations and mandates officials hope will quell the spread of the virus, including an expansion of mask-wearing requirements.

“Research tells us that masks, while not perfect, make a difference in the spread of COVID-19 and are a simple and effective way to help protect ourselves and others," Gov. Wolf said.

On Thursday, Gov. Wolf also issued quarantine recommendations for travelers, saying residents who go to 15 states with escalating outbreaks should stay home for 14 days. Florida, which is among the states on the quarantine list, is experiencing a particularly dramatic rise in cases.

Health officials in the Sunshine State reported 6,336 new cases of the coronavirus Monday as the mayor of the state's most populous county ordered a partial rollback of business reopenings following a holiday weekend where the state set an all-time record of 11,458 cases on the Fourth of July.