The Pennsylvania Department of Health is reporting 2,063 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 188,360 as of Thursday, Oct. 22.

The number of cases reported by the state is one of the highest daily numbers reported since the beginning of the pandemic. However, faulty data file sent to the system by a reporting laboratory earlier this week, which prevented some of the lab results from being properly reported. Therefore, some of the cases being reported today should have been counted as part of the positive test results reported on October 21.

Allegheny County is reporting an increase of 128 cases, Luzerne County is reporting an increase of 107 cases, Philadelphia County is reporting an increase of 111 cases and Westmoreland County is reporting an increase of 117 cases.

Mercer County has 822 confirmed cases, up 15 cases since Wednesday, with 126 probable cases. The county is reporting 25 deaths from COVID since the beginning of the pandemic.

Lawrence County is reporting 654 confirmed cases, up 15 cases in the last 24 hours, with 123 probable. The county is reporting 29 deaths, up two deaths from the virus in the last 24 hours.

The number of tests administered within the last 7 days through October 21 is 231,483 with 10,375 positive cases, or 4.48 positivity rate. 

The department of health is also reporting 8,592 virus-related deaths, with 30 additional deaths reported in the last day. County-specific information is available on the COVID-19 Data Dashboard.

Mask-wearing is required in all businesses and whenever leaving home in Pennsylvania.

Of those who have tested positive to date the age breakdown is as follows:

  • Approximately 1% are ages 0-4;
  • Nearly 2% are ages 5-12;
  • Approximately 5% are ages 13-18;
  • Nearly 14% are ages 19-24; 
  • Nearly 36% are ages 25-49; 
  • Approximately 21% are ages 50-64; and
  • Approximately 21% are ages 65 or older.

Most of the patients hospitalized are ages 65 or older, and most of the deaths have occurred in patients 65 or older. More data is available here.

The following regions saw significant increases among 19 to 24-year-olds in each month from April to present in October:

  • NC – Approximately 7 percent of cases in April to approximately 31 percent of cases so far in October;
  • SE – Nearly 5 percent of cases in April to nearly 16 percent of cases so far in October;
  • NE – 6 percent of cases in April to 18 percent of cases so far in October;
  • SW – Approximately 5 percent of cases in April to nearly 13 percent of cases so far in October;
  • NW – Nearly 7 percent of cases in April to nearly 18 percent of cases so far in October; and
  • SC – Approximately 7 percent of cases in April to approximately 12 percent of cases so far in October.  

In nursing and personal care homes, there are 24,990 resident cases of COVID-19, and 5,436 cases among employees, for a total of 30,426 at 1,036 distinct facilities in 62 counties. Out of our total deaths, 5,670 have occurred in residents from nursing or personal care facilities. 

Approximately 11,846 of our total cases are among health care workers.