Bucks Co. Reports Highest Single-Day Coronavirus Increase

BUCKS COUNTY, PA — Bucks County experienced its largest single-day increase of coronavirus cases since the pandemic began, confirming 143 new cases on Friday. Ten additional deaths were also reported Friday, raising the county’s coronavirus death toll to 77.

Bucks County now has had a total of 1,689 positive cases, with 340 of the patients recovered, local health officials said.

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About 90 of the new coronavirus cases were detected in healthcare workers and residents of longterm care facilities, said David Damsker, director of the Bucks County Health Department.

Damsker attributed Friday's spike in cases to expanded testing in recent days. Cases involving community spread remain low, he said.

Of Bucks County's coronavirus patients, 140 are hospitalized, and 25 of them in critical condition and on ventilators.

Nursing home residents continue to fall victim to COVID-19 in disproportionate numbers, Bucks County health officials said in its most recent update. Eight of the deaths reported Friday were residents of long-term care facilities.

The deceased were four men, ages 87, 84, 84 and 73; and six women, ages 89, 87, 85, 77, 77 and 69. All had underlying health conditions, Damsker said.

In Bucks County, at least 34 personal care and nursing homes have had residents or staff test positive for coronavirus. At least 34 residents of those facilities have died.

Pennsylvania reported another 80 deaths on Saturday, bringing the statewide total to 836. The state now has a total of 31,069 COVID-19 cases.

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