Most PA Coronavirus Deaths Have Been In Nursing Homes
HARRISBURG, PA — A clear majority of deaths from the new coronavirus in Pennsylvania have been at nursing homes and other personal care facilities, according to statistics released Sunday.
Out of 1,550 coronavirus-related deaths reported in the state as of noon Sunday, 952 have been residents of nursing or personal care homes, Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said Sunday.
That accounts for roughly 61 percent of all coronavirus deaths reported in the state.
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Most of the patients hospitalized with the virus are age 65 or older and most of the deaths have occurred in patients 65 or older, Levine said.
Pennsylvania reported 1,116 new positive test results for COVID-19 on Sunday, bringing the state's total to 41,165. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania have cases of the virus, officials said.
County-specific information and a statewide map are available here.
"As we see the number of new COVID-19 cases continuously change across the state, that does not mean we can stop practicing social distancing," Levine said. "We must continue to stay home to protect ourselves, our families and our community. If you must go out, please make as few trips as possible and wear a mask to protect not only yourself, but others.
"We need all Pennsylvanians to continue to heed these efforts to protect our vulnerable Pennsylvanians, our health care workers and frontline responders."
In nursing and personal care homes, 6,813 residents and 822 employees have tested positive for the coronavirus as of Sunday. Those cases are at 431 different facilities in 40 counties, officials said. A county breakdown can be found here.
While hospitalizations and deaths have been heavily skewed toward older Pennsylvanians, the age range for those who have contracted the virus — and, thus, can spread it to others — is much wider.
The largest cluster of positive tests is among Pennsylvanians age 24-49, who account for 38 percent of the total. Nearly 27 percent have been age 50-64, nearly 26 percent were 65 or older and just 6 percent have been age 19-24.
There have been very few positive tests among children ages 18 and younger and no childhood deaths in Pennsylvania.
Currently, the entire state remains under a stay-at-home order, with all non-essential businesses and schools ordered to be closed. Gov. Tom Wolf has announced a plan to begin re-opening the state by region, based on the numbers of new cases reported.
This article originally appeared on the Yardley Patch
