COVID cases, hospitalizations tick up slightly in PA. See latest CDC community level map
New confirmed cases of COVID-19 reported to the Pennsylvania Department of Health increased by about 600 over the past week, according to the latest figures.
The state health agency indicates during the most recent seven-day reporting period, Nov. 23 to Nov. 29, 10,489 new cases were recorded. That’s up from 9,878 the week prior, leading into Thanksgiving.
The cases come as public health officials and others are seeing a winter increase in a number of respiratory diseases, including those most dangerous to young children, like respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
Those headed to holiday gatherings can take advantage of free COVID screening to prevent spread, with the state health department offering testing and take-home tests at sites across Pennsylvania.
“We want to make it as convenient as possible for people to access COVID-19 testing so they can help protect family and friends during holiday gatherings,” Acting Health Secretary and Pennsylvania Physician General Dr. Denise Johnson stated in a Nov. 21 release. “If you are not feeling well, stay home to avoid spreading illness. We also recommend testing before contact with someone at high risk for severe COVID-19.”
The sites are free and open to everyone, the agency said. They offer PCR (polymerase chain reaction) nasal swabs and take-home antigen tests. No appointment is necessary, and you can bring photo identification, but it is not required.
There is a free testing site in State College at 60 Decibel Road, Suite 107. It is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
You can find the full list of other free COVID-19 testing sites across Pennsylvania online.
COVID-19 in Pennsylvania
According to weekly metrics from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which vary slightly, the commonwealth had 10,730 new cases reported during the seven-day period ending Nov. 30. In addition to the new cases, the CDC reports 116 COVID deaths over the course of the same week.
Hospitalizations also increased slightly. The state health agency reported 1,269 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19 as of Wednesday. That’s up from 1,129 the week prior.
More serious cases have also increased, with 162 of the patients in intensive care units and 60 on ventilators, compared to 144 and 44 last week, respectively.
As for the CDC’s COVID-19 community levels, which are a metric offered by the agency to assess risk and hospital burden, only one county, Mercer, is rated at high as of Dec. 1. Mercer County was scored similarly last week, as well.
The number of counties at medium, however, increased from 23 to 30.
A community level is determined using data on new cases per 100,000 individuals, new hospitalizations per 100,000 individuals and a seven-day average of the percent of staffed hospital beds occupied by COVID-positive patients.
At a high community level, the CDC recommends wearing a mask in public indoor spaces. Those at higher risk should consider masking and other precautions in counties scored at medium.
COVID-19 in Centre County
Centre County remains at a low community level as of Thursday’s CDC update, with a case rate of 67.12 per 100,000 people.
The positivity rate is up, however, at 9.4% compared to 7.7% the week prior. Testing has fallen over the last week, CDC data show.
Mount Nittany Health’s COVID patient census was at 11 as of Dec. 1, though reached as high as 15 patients over the course of the last seven days. The patients are reportedly aged 20 to 89 years and none are receiving ICU-level care.
To find a COVID-19 vaccine or booster near you, visit vaccines.gov.
