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WILKES-BARRE — The Pennsylvania Department of Health on Saturday confirmed 17 new cases of COVID-19 in Luzerne County and no new deaths.
That brings the total number of confirmed cases in the county to 4,088; the death count remains at 189.
Neighboring Lackawanna County has 2,505 cases and 217 deaths; Monroe County has 1,790 cases and 133 deaths.
The Department of Health confirmed that there were 1,029 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 155,232. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania have cases of COVID-19.
Allegheny is reporting an increase of 102 cases.
The number of tests administered within the last 7 days between Sept. 19 and Sept. 25, is 182,437 with 5,520 positive cases. There were 26,337 test results reported to the department through 10 p.m., Sept. 25. These results represent the total number of tests administered.
There are 8,103 total deaths attributed to COVID-19, an increase of 22 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.
There are 392 cases who have a positive viral antigen test and are considered probable cases and 645 patients who have a positive serology test and either COVID-19 symptoms or a high-risk exposure.
There are 1,830,292 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 22,680 resident cases of COVID-19, and 4,988 cases among employees, for a total of 27,668 at 973 distinct facilities in 61 counties.
Out of our total deaths, 5,430 have occurred in residents from nursing or personal care facilities.
Approximately 10,595 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.
Reach Bill O’Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.