Department of Health tracks virus’ trajectory
By KRISTIE LINDEN
klinden@yourmvi.com
The Pennsylvania Department of Health continues to find new ways of updating the public on the coronavirus impact in the state.
One of those new tools is an animated graph that shows the trajectory of confirmed cases by the average number of new cases every seven days since the virus first appeared in the state.
One graph depicts the trajectory of cases in southwestern Pennsylvania counties of Allegheny, Beaver, Westmoreland, Washington, Butler, Indiana, Fayette, Armstrong, Somerset, Cambria and Greene against the trajectory of cases statewide.
The graph shows the majority of those counties followed a fairly straight line upward until about April 7 when most counties began to see a dropoff in the number of new cases. The animations can be viewed at https://bit.ly/2RTjO9V.
When the new figures were released Tuesday, there were an additional 1,296 cases for a total of 34,528.
The DOH continues to work to increase the types of cases that are added to the death case counts. On Tuesday, 360 new deaths were reported among positive and probable cases, bringing the statewide total to 1,564.
Allegheny County now has 1,059 cases, an increase of seven patients, and 12 new deaths bringing that total to 67.
The Allegheny County Health Department said Tuesday the number includes 1,034 confirmed cases and 25 probable cases.
“A case is probable when the person displays symptoms of COVID-19 and has had close contact with a confirmed positive case but has not had a test themselves,” a release from ACHD states. “We are including probable cases to better assess the level of community spread. Further breakdown of the cases will be available … this coming week.”
ACHD also reported that the figure of 67 deaths includes 55 confirmed deaths from the virus and 12 probable.
“A probable death is one where COVID-19 is listed on the deceased’s death certificate, but the person never had a positive test for the virus,” ACHD said in a release. “All deaths are of individuals ranging in age from 42-103, with 83 being the median age of those who have died.”
ACHD also notes that the county has 188 past or present hospitalizations due to the coronavirus.
Fayette County has a total of 69 cases, an increase of two, and three deaths, a figure that has not increased.
Washington County added three new cases for a total of 86 patients, and the county has reported no new deaths. There have been two fatalities.
Westmoreland County has five new cases for a total 291 and according to the DOH, there have been four new deaths and the total is 20. However, Westmoreland County Coroner Ken Bacha is reporting a death toll of 25.
