New COVID cases in Pennsylvania continue to decline as virus death toll approaches 51K

Jackie Starkey
·3 min read
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Pennsylvania is on the cusp of another grim pandemic milestone this week, even as the number of new cases in the commonwealth continue a springtime downward trajectory.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health reports 50,999 individuals have died of COVID-19 in the state as of Wednesday. That figure includes 53 new deaths in the latest reporting week — a decline from the prior week’s 86 — just under 1,000 new fatalities since mid-February.

Across the U.S., COVID-19 deaths have declined in many parts of the country as winter came to an end. As of Wednesday, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports 1,052 weekly deaths tallied nationwide.

The seasonal lull comes as researchers have detected yet another subvariant of omicron — XBB.1.16, or the Arcturus variant. As of Saturday, the latest variant makes up less than 10% of U.S. cases per CDC data, NBC News reports.

In Pennsylvania, the state health department counted 2,007 new cases of virus over the latest reporting period, April 19 to 25. That’s down by about 300 cases over last week, and down sharply from earlier in the year.

These totals include all new cases reported to state health officials, but not those left unreported or detected only through at-home test kits.

Hospitalizations for the coronavirus in the commonwealth have fallen in the last week, as well. Facilities have reported a census of 290 COVID-19 patients as of Wednesday, with 23 in adult intensive care units and 16 on ventilators. Last week, 341 were hospitalized statewide.

Since the onset of the pandemic, 44,617 cases have reported in Centre County, along with 403 deaths, per state health department data.

While COIVD-19 tracking and reporting requirements are changing in many states, you can find the CDC’s latest data and community levels online.

Thursday, Mount Nittany Health providers were treating six patients hospitalized with COVID-19.

The hospital’s dashboard no longer reports the age range of patients as of Friday, but indicated none of those currently being treated are in the ICU.

The latest on COVID-19

As reported by CNN Friday, the CDC is easing some vaccine restrictions for foreign travelers to the U.S.

Those flying to America are required to have received a single dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine administered any time after Aug. 16, 2022, to meet travel requirements. The travelers are considered vaccinated and qualified to enter the U.S. two weeks after that shot, which would be the updated bivalent formula.

Additionally, under expanded eligibility guidelines, two groups in the U.S. are encouraged to seek updated booster shots this spring.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized another bivalent booster dose this month for those ages 65 and older and individuals with compromised immune systems.

If you think you may not be up to date on your COVID-19 vaccine, contact your health care provider or find a free shot near you by visiting vaccines.gov.

To limit your risk of contracting the virus, you can wear a mask in public places, wash your hands frequently, avoid those who may be sick and test if symptoms arise.