The Pennsylvania Department of Health is reporting the largest single day increase since the pandemic started with 2,751 additional positive COVID-19 cases, bringing the statewide total to 198,446. Daily increases are now comparable with what we saw in April 2020, and today’s increase is the largest daily increase to date.

The number of tests administered within the last 7 through October 26 is 245,029 with 12,380 positive cases, or 5.05 percent positivity rate.

Mercer County is reporting 885 confirmed COVID-19 cases, with 149 probable cases and 25 deaths since the pandemic began.

Lawrence County is reporting 726 confirmed cases, 139 probable cases and 34 deaths.

The state is also reporting 8,696 virus-related deaths, with 23 additional deaths reported. County-specific information and a statewide map are 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;
  • Approximately 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
  • Nearly 21% are ages 65 or older.

Most of the hospitalizations have occurred in people ages 65 or older, and most of the deaths have occurred in patients 65 or older. 

The department is seeing significant increases in the number of COVID-19 cases among younger age groups, particularly 19 to 24-year-olds. Increases among 19 to 24-year-olds from April to present in October are available below:

  • NC – Approximately 7 percent of cases in April to nearly 30 percent of cases so far in October;
  • NE – 6 percent of cases in April to nearly 17 percent of cases so far in October;
  • NW – Nearly 7 percent of cases in April to nearly 16 percent of cases so far in October;
  • SE – Nearly 5 percent of cases in April to nearly 15 percent of cases so far in October;
  • SW – Approximately 5 percent of cases in April to 12 percent of cases so far in October; and
  • SC – Approximately 7 percent of cases in April to 10 percent of cases so far in October.  

In nursing and personal care homes in the state, there are 25,624 resident cases of COVID-19, and 5,539 cases among employees, for a total of 31,163 at 1,052 distinct facilities. Out of our total deaths, 5,706 have occurred in residents from nursing or personal care facilities. 

Approximately 12,125 of our total cases are among health care workers.

In the the Pennsylvania Department of Health weekly data released Oct. 26 released data on infected individuals who told case investigators that they spent time at business establishments including restaurants, bars, gym/fitness centers, salon/barbershops) and at mass gatherings 14 days prior to the onset of COVID-19 symptoms.

Of the 9,754 confirmed cases reported between October 11 and October 17, 29 percent or 2,841 provided an answer to the question as to whether they spent time at a business establishment.

Of those who did provide an answer, 16.3 percent, or 464, answered yes, they visited a business establishment 14 days prior to onset of symptoms, including: 

  • 55 percent (256) of those who said yes reported going to a restaurant;
  • 26 percent (122) of those who said yes reported going to some other business establishment;
  • 13 percent (61) of those who said yes reported going to a bar;
  • 11 percent (53) of those who said yes reported going to a gym/fitness center; and
  • 7.5 percent (35) of those who said yes reported going to a salon/barbershop.

Of the 9,754 confirmed cases, 29 percent (2,856) answered the question as to whether they attended a mass gathering or other large event. Of the 29 percent, 16.9 percent (482) answered yes to whether they attended a mass gathering or other large event 14 days prior to onset of symptoms.

Compared to data reported on October 19, this week's data saw an increase in people going to a restaurant (55 percent vs. 50 percent last week).

At 26 percent, numbers remained the same for people going to some other business. Numbers went down for this week's data for people who reported going to a gym/fitness center (11 percent vs. 13 percent last week), going to a bar (13 percent vs. 14 percent last week) and down slightly for going to a salon or barbershop (7.5 percent vs. 8 percent last week). The number of those who attended a mass gathering or other large event increased to 17 percent from 16 percent last week.