High COVID-19 numbers persist into the new year

By KRISTIE LINDEN

klinden@yourmvi.com

In the first two days of 2021, there were 16,967 new cases of COVID-19 and more than 5,600 patients are hospitalized across the state. 

Since March 2019, there have been 657,292 cases in Pennsylvania and 16,295 deaths due to the virus — an increase of 317 since the new year.

Through the first of the year, there have been 128,800 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine administered in Pennsylvania.

There has been no movement in the amount of patients hospitalized or the number of ICU beds taken across the state.

In Allegheny County, there are 674 hospitalized patients and 227 of them are in ICU beds. According to the state Department of Health, there are 88 adult ICU beds left available in the county. Nearly half the COVID patients are using ventilators.  

Fayette County has 59 patients hospitalized with the virus and 10 of them are in the ICU. Four of those are on ventilators and five ICU beds are still available. 

In Washington County, 83 COVID patients are hospitalized, with 17 in ICU beds and nine on ventilators. There are 11 ICU beds still available in the county. 

Westmoreland County has 173 COVID patients hospitalized and 16 are in the ICU. A dozen of those patients are on ventilators and there are 30 ICU beds still available in the county. 

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