COVID-19 cases rise, but ‘curve has changed’

By KRISTIE LINDEN

klinden@yourmvi.com

Nearly 2,000 new cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in Pennsylvania Thursday, a figure that has increased every day this week.

There are now 18,228 positive cases in the state. The state Department of Health reported another 29 deaths, bringing the total up to 338 statewide.

In Allegheny County, two more patients have died, which means 12 people have now lost their fight with the illness in the county. Another 39 cases were reported, bringing the county total up to 759.

In Fayette County, there has been one death and 45 patients. Ten new confirmed cases were added Thursday.

In Washington County, there are 63 patients, an increase of four cases since Wednesday. There have been no deaths there.

In Westmoreland, there has been one death and Thursday brought an additional seven cases, which makes the total 190 patients in the county.

Even as the numbers continue to rise, Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine said there is reason for optimism.

“We are not out of the woods by any means,” she said. “But the curve has changed. It has gone from that exponential rise … where it was doubling every number of days, to a somewhat flatter curve.”

It is not, however, flat, she said, noting specifically the continued increases in the eastern part of the state.

The state police updated enforcement actions against non-life-sustaining businesses that fail to comply with Gov. Tom Wolf’s order closing their physical locations. 

In Troop A, which includes Westmoreland County, there was one warning issued Wednesday and there have been a total of 29 issued. So far, the troop has not issued a citation.

In Troop B, which includes Allegheny, Fayette and Washington counties, there have been seven warnings issued.

According to the state figures, none of the state police troops has issued a citation related to non-life-sustaining business failing to comply with the order.      

State Sen. Kim Ward, R-Hempfield, said Thursday that Levine told her information will go out to county officials that will include addresses of individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19. 

The information will be given to county emergency management officials working with first responders. Counties that have their own health department, such as Allegheny, already have access to such information. 

Until now, other counties have only gotten a daily count of positive cases and the number of deaths, with no information on location of individuals.

Trib Total Media News Wire Services Contributed to this story.