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WILKES-BARRE — The Pennsylvania Department of Health on Friday confirmed 13 new cases of COVID-19 in Luzerne County and no new deaths.
That brings Luzerne County’s total cases to 3,831; the death count remains at 188.
Neighboring Lackawanna County has 2,154 cases and 214 deaths; Monroe County has 1,731 cases and 129 deaths.
The Department of Health confirmed that there are 891 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 137,662. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania have cases of COVID-19.
Philadelphia is reporting an increase of 126 cases.
The number of tests administered within the last 7 days between Aug. 28 and Sept. 3, is 159,676 with 5,615 positive cases. There were 22,808 test results reported to the department through 10 p.m., Sept. 3. These results represent the total number of tests administered.
There are 7,742 total deaths attributed to COVID-19, an increase of 10 new deaths reported.
Mask-wearing is required in all businesses and whenever leaving home. Consistent mask-wearing is critical to preventing the spread of COVID-19.
Beginning Aug. 29, the department began publishing COVID-19 case counts using the updated standardized case definition for COVID-19 from the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists. This revised case definition updates criteria for case identification and case classification based on the continued evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic. It updates probable case classifications and adds suspect case classifications.
The definition for confirmed cases using a positive PCR test has not changed. Viral antigen tests, which identify people who are likely currently infected, will now be considered a probable case, even if the individual has no symptoms or exposure history. Persons with a positive antibody (serology) test, moving forward, will no longer be considered a probable case. However, cases previously counted as probable cases, using the prior national case definition, will remain counted as probable cases.
There are 46 cases who have a positive viral antigen test and are considered probable cases and 646 patients who have a positive serology test and either COVID-19 symptoms or a high-risk exposure.
There are 1,576,879 patients who have tested negative to date.
Most of the patients hospitalized are ages 65 or older, and most of the deaths have occurred in patients 65 or older.
The department is seeing significant increases in the number of COVID-19 cases among younger age groups, particularly 19 to 24-year-olds. An alert was sent to healthcare providers about the changing COVID-19 case demographics, as there are more cases in younger age groups than in those 50-64 and 65-plus.
In nursing and personal care homes, there are 21,307 resident cases of COVID-19, and 4,564 cases among employees, for a total of 25,871 at 942 distinct facilities in 61 counties.
Out of our total deaths, 5,235 have occurred in residents from nursing or personal care facilities.
Approximately 9,813 of our total cases are among health care workers.
For the latest information for individuals, families, businesses and schools, visit “Responding to COVID-19” on pa.gov.
Currently, all 67 counties are in the green phase of reopening.
Reach Bill O’Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.