More COVID-19 records broken

By KRISTIE LINDEN

klinden@yourmvi.com

Pennsylvania reported its highest number of new COVID-19 cases Friday, and Allegheny County had its highest daily total since July.

Pennsylvania’s Department of Health reported 3,384 new cases Friday, for a new statewide total of 223,950. The state also reported 38 new deaths due to COVID, for a new total of 8,975 statewide.    

In Allegheny County, there were 239 new cases reported Friday, which is the highest daily total since July. There were also four new deaths. 

Westmoreland County saw an increase of 82 cases Friday. The county started the week learning that it was in its third straight week of being in the substantial category of community transmission.  

A county reaches the substantial category when new cases are 100 or more per 100,000 residents.

It’s unclear what Monday’s news will bring as far as the county’s categorization, but the past seven-day average has been 71 cases.

Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said that beginning today, a drive-thru and indoor testing clinic will be held in the parking lot at the Hillcrest Shopping Center’s PNC Bank in Lower Burrell to help contain the rapid increase in COVID-19 cases.

“Since the beginning of September, we have seen an increase of 2,998 cases in Westmoreland County, which gives us significant cause for concern,” Levine said. “This testing site will be open to anyone who feels they need a test. It is important that even people with no symptoms who test positive isolate to stop the spread of COVID-19.”

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