Allegheny County reports 827 COVID-19 cases, 27 deaths; Levine cautions against even small gatherings

by PublicSource Reporters

The Allegheny County Health Department [ACHD] reported 827 new COVID-19 infections Friday and 27 new COVID-related deaths. The newly reported cases bring the total count since March 14 to 44,684 infections. 

The case tally, which includes 741 confirmed cases, came from 2,625 tests conducted from Nov. 13 through Dec. 17. The new infections were among patients aged one week to 98 years, with the median age being 47. The date of deaths ranged from Nov. 20 to Dec. 17. On Thursday, Allegheny County reported 55 COVID-related deaths, a record-breaking number. 

To date, the county has had 770 deaths and 2,768 people hospitalized because of the virus.

COVID-19 hospitalizations are surging — leaving some Pennsylvania facilities with little or no ICU capacity left — even as public health officials fear another spike in cases from upcoming holiday gatherings.

As of 7 a.m. Thursday, 6,346 people are hospitalized with COVID-19, double the spring peak, according to Pennsylvania Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine. Of those, 1,238 patients are in intensive care units, and 745 patients are on a ventilator. 

With hospitals in danger of being overwhelmed, Levine cautioned against attending even small gatherings.

“We all want this to be over. We all want to celebrate the holidays together and to be with the people we love. But this year, we simply can’t,” Levine said during a Thursday press briefing. “We have to keep each other safe and prevent an even bigger wave of hospitalizations than the one we’re seeing now.”

Healthcare workers have begun receiving vaccine shots, though Levine notes that the general public might not be able to get doses until late spring or in the summer.

The state is currently prioritizing shots for healthcare workers, and 16 hospitals so far have received doses. Another 71 hospitals will receive doses this week.

“While we are at the start of the road out of this pandemic — our light at the end of the tunnel — the path is long, and it will take time. In the meantime, we cannot afford to overwhelm our hospitals any further.”

Administering vaccine. (flickr/creative commons)

 

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Allegheny County reports 827 COVID-19 cases, 27 deaths; Levine cautions against even small gatherings

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