PA Reports 1K New COVID-19 Cases For First Time In Weeks

HARRISBURG, PA — For the first time in more than three weeks, Pennsylvania has reported more than 1,000 new coronavirus cases in a single day.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health on Thursday reported 1,160 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 136,711.

Philadelphia alone saw an increase of 257 cases. York County reported 128 new cases, and Allegheny County had 105 new cases.

Twenty new deaths were reported Thursday, bringing the statewide total to 7,732 deaths.

Also Thursday, Temple University in Philadelphia announced it would suspend nearly all in-person classes for the fall semester due to increased cases of the coronavirus among its student population.

University President Richard Englert told the school community that most of its classes will be held virtually through the fall semester. More than 100 student cases of coronavirus were reported over the weekend. A total of 212 students have now tested positive for the virus as of Wednesday afternoon, the university said.

Contact tracing efforts showed new cases were in predominately off-campus students who become infected by roommates and participating in small social gatherings.

Despite the increase in cases in Philadelphia, the city is moving forward with its plan to reopen indoor dining. Philadelphia Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley said indoor dining with restrictions, as well as some other activities, will resume on Sept. 8.

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