Luzerne County COVID-19 death toll rises to 50

WILKES-BARRE — Deaths from COVID-19 in Luzerne County jumper to 50, according to the latest report from the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

The report shows 14 new deaths were recorded since yesterday in the county.

The number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 increased by 33 to 1,800.

In Lackawanna County, there are now 666 confirmed cases and 53 deaths; in Mon roe County, there are 995 cases and 46 deaths.

The Department of Health confirmed that there were 1,296 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 34,528. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania have cases of COVID-19.

The department is continuing to work to increase the types of cases that are being added to the death case counts. On Tuesday, 360 new deaths were reported among positive and probable cases, bringing the statewide total to 1,564.

All people are either in isolation at home or being treated at the hospital.

“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,” said Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine. “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 front line responders.”

There are 132,323 patients who have tested negative to date. Of the patients who have tested positive to date the age breakdown is as follows:

Nearly 1% are aged 0-4;

Nearly 1% are aged 5-12;

1% are aged 13-18;

Nearly 6% are aged 19-24;

Nearly 39% are aged 25-49;

Nearly 28% are aged 50-64; and

25% are aged 65 or older.

Most of the patients hospitalized are aged 65 or older, and most of the deaths have occurred in patients 65 or older. There have been no pediatric deaths to date.

In nursing and personal care homes, there are 5,026 resident cases of COVID-19, and 572 cases among employees, for a total of 5,598 at 396 distinct facilities in 38 counties. Out of our total deaths, 796 have occurred in residents from nursing or personal care facilities. A county breakdown can be found here.

All non-life-sustaining businesses are ordered to be closed and schools are closed statewide through the remainder of the academic year. Currently the entire state is under a stay-at-home order.