PA Sees Biggest Jump In New Coronavirus Cases In 2 Months

HARRISBURG, PA — Pennsylvania on Tuesday experienced the largest single-day increase in new coronavirus cases in nearly two months, after 995 additional positive cases of COVID-19 were reported. Statewide, there have been 91,299 cases since the onset of the pandemic, with 77 percent of patients now recovered from the virus.

Tuesday's increase is the largest single-day jump in two months. The state has not exceeded more than 1,000 new cases in a day since May 10.

Cases continue to rise sharply in Allegheny County, where 204 new infections were reported Tuesday. The new cases in that county include a newborn baby, according to local health officials.

Philadelphia also experienced a significant increase, with 288 cases reported Tuesday. However, the state health department said some of the cases in Philadelphia reflect testing from several weeks ago. The jump Tuesday "is because of a lag time in reporting from the Philadelphia Department of Health," state officials said in a news release.

There have been 6,787 total deaths in Pennsylvania attributed to COVID-19, after 33 new deaths were reported Tuesday. Of the state's coronavirus deaths, 4,626 have occurred in patients at nursing and long-term care homes.

With the cases approaching 1,000 new infections daily, Pennsylvania officials are warning residents to wear masks and avoid large gatherings.

“As we increasingly resume public activities in our commonwealth, we need to remain vigilant about taking precautions, especially wearing a mask that covers our noses and mouths while around other people,” Gov. Tom Wolf said Tuesday in a joint news release with the state's U.S. senators.

“Since late March, I have been making the case for Pennsylvanians to wear masks when they venture out,” said U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey, a Republican. “As the commonwealth continues to reopen, mask-wearing has taken on increased significance, as studies continue to affirm that masks help slow the spread of the coronavirus. Put simply, wearing a mask is an important step that we, as Pennsylvanians, can take to protect one another — as my mask protects you, and your mask protects me.”

Meanwhile, local officials are warning against out-of-state travel to areas where the virus is spreading rapidly.

In Bucks County, where more than 100 new cases were reported Tuesday, health officials say more than half of the new cases were traced to out-of-state travel.

Many of the new cases included travelers to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Bucks County health officials said.

“Think twice before you leave for any area of the country that is currently experiencing a high prevalence of COVID-19," said Bucks County Health Department Director David Damsker.