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WILKES-BARRE — The Pennsylvania Department of Health on Tuesday reported 71 new cases of COVID-19 in Luzerne County and one more deaths. The death count is now at 698.

The new report brings the county’s total cases to 24,185 since the pandemic began last year.

Neighboring Lackawanna County has 13,314 cases and 399 deaths; Monroe County has 9,238 cases and 256 deaths.

The Department of Health confirmed there were 2,377 additional positive cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday, in addition to 1,945 new cases reported Monday, and 2,571 new cases reported Sunday, for a three-day total of 6,893 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 899,237.

COVID-19 vaccine distribution

Pennsylvania hospitals began receiving shipments of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine the week of Dec. 14 and Moderna COVID-19 vaccine the week of Dec. 21.

This week, a total of 326,850 doses will have been allocated through Feb. 20:

183,575 first doses will have been allocated this week.

143,275 second doses will have been allocated this week.

To date, of the 2,766,400 doses allocated through Feb. 20, we have administered 1,703,685 doses total through Feb. 15:

First doses, 80 percent (1,282,045 administered of 1,610,175 allocated)

Second doses, 37 percent (421,640 administered of 1,156,225 allocated)

To see a map of locations where you can get a vaccination go to the Pennsylvania Department of Health website.

A commonwealth COVID-19 vaccination guide explains current process for getting one. Pennsylvanians with questions about the vaccination process can call the Department of Health hotline at 1-877-724-3258.

Statewide data

There are 2,447 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19. Of that number, 504 patients are in the intensive care unit with COVID-19. Most of the patients hospitalized are ages 65 or older, and most of the deaths have occurred in patients 65 or older.

The trend in the 14-day moving average number of hospitalized patients per day has increased by nearly 2,300 since the end of September.

Statewide percent positivity for the week of Feb. 5–Feb. 11, stood at 8.0%.

As of 11:59 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 13, there were 24 new deaths, as of 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 14, there were 23 new deaths, and as of 11:59 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 15, there were 7 new deaths identified by the Pennsylvania death registry, reported for a total of 23,126 deaths attributed to COVID-19.

Mask-wearing is required in all businesses and whenever leaving home, even if fully vaccinated. Consistent mask-wearing is critical to preventing the spread of COVID-19.

There are 104,768 individuals who have a positive viral antigen test and are considered probable cases and 637 individuals who have a positive serology test and either COVID-19 symptoms or a high-risk exposure.

There are 3,783,099 individuals who have tested negative to date.

In licensed nursing and personal care homes, there are 65,555 resident cases of COVID-19, and 12,695 cases among employees, for a total of 78,250 at 1,556 distinct facilities in all 67 counties.

Out of total deaths reported to PA-NEDSS, 12,023 have occurred in residents from nursing or personal care facilities.

Approximately 24,195 of our total cases are among health care workers.

Reach Bill O’Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.