PA Graduation, July 4 Parties Were Coronavirus 'Super Spreaders'

PENNSYLVANIA — Celebrations like graduation parties and 4th of July gatherings have been the cause of many coronavirus cases, contact tracers in Pennsylvania have found.

The events, both indoors and out, have served as "super-spreaders" of the virus, Montgomery County Commissioner Val Arkoosh said Thursday.

"When a large group of people are crowded together and not wearing mask, there is a high risk of transmission," she said. DETAILS: Montco Graduation, July 4th Parties Were COVID 'Super-Spreaders'

The news comes as the state announced 860 new cases of coronavirus Thursday, along with 14 deaths. The largest increases came from Philadelphia, which saw 127 new cases, and Allegheny County, which saw 132.

While some parts of the state have seen the curve of new cases flatten, the virus is continuing to spike elsewhere.

“Pennsylvania has been a model for the country on how to reopen effectively using a careful, measured approach," Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said in a statement Thursday. "However, we know the virus has not gone away as we see cases rise, so we must work together to stop another surge.”

For the seven-day period from July 23 to July 29, a total of 6,822 positive cases were found. That's a 4.16 percent positive rate from the 163,936 tests administered statewide in that period.

Officials continue to urge residents to wear masks and practice social distancing.

Here are other stories we are following Thursday:

All activity at Citizens Bank Park in South Philadelphia has been canceled "until further notice" after two Phillies staffers tested positive for coronavirus Thursday. No players tested positive. The comprehensive testing was initiated and the Phillies season put on hold after it was discovered that 19 members of the visiting Miami Marlins, including 18 players, had coronavirus. The Marlins played the Phillies in the season opener last weekend. RELATED: 2 Phillies Staffers Test Positive, All Stadium Activity Canceled

Officials in Pennsylvania say they've stopped $44 million in fraudulent unemployment claims filed during the pandemic. They've used data analytics from the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General to identify the fraudulent claims, which sought to misappropriate federal CARES act money meant to support those were laid off due to coronavirus. RELATED: PA Officials Stop $44M In Fraudulent Unemployment Claims

Several different youth teams in Montgomery County across numerous different leagues and different sports have seen positive coronavirus cases, contact tracers found. Team members and coaches have tested positive in outdoor baseball, football, soccer, field hockey, as well as some indoor basketball. Officials say its clear that there is an increased risk of transmission of the virus at sporting events. RELATED: Coronavirus Spreading Amongst Youth Sports Teams In Montco

There's just about a month left until school resumes this fall, and districts throughout the region are continuing to grapple with a variety of options for the 2020-21 school year. Some districts have moved to hybrid plans, offering both virtual and in-person learning, while some have decided to go fully online, and keep their schools shut down to in-person instruction for an indefinite period of time. RELATED: Who's Reopening, Who's Not: See Fall School Plans For Philly Area