DOH COVID-19 UPDATE, OCTOBER 27
The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., October 27, that there were 2,751 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 198,446. Daily increases are now comparable with what we saw in April 2020, and today’s increase is the largest daily increase to date. The most accurate daily data is available on the COVID-19 Early Warning Monitoring dashboard, with archived data also available.
In nursing and personal care homes, there are 25,624 resident cases of COVID-19, and 5,539 cases among employees, for a total of 31,163 at 1,052 distinct facilities in 63 counties. Approximately 12,125 of our total cases are among health care workers.
There are 8,696 total deaths attributed to COVID-19, an increase of 23 new deaths reported. County-specific information and a statewide map are available on the COVID-19 Data Dashboard. Out of our total deaths, 5,706 have occurred in residents from nursing or personal care facilities.
The number of tests administered in the last 7 days between October 20 and October 26 is 245,029 with 12,380 positive cases. There were 34,946 test results reported to the department through 10 p.m., October 26. There are 2,699 individuals who have a positive viral antigen test and are considered probable cases and 647 individuals who have a positive serology test and either COVID-19 symptoms or a high-risk exposure.
As for weekly comparisons, the latest data indicates there have been a total of 10,410 positive cases reported between Oct. 19 and Oct. 25. The prior 7-day period saw slightly more than 10,000 positive cases reported. For the most recent 7-day period, the Health Department says 241,113 tests were administered, which is more than 7,800 better than the prior 7-day period. That means even as there have been more tests conducted, week over week, the growth of new cases has again slowed.
The data also suggest the 7-day test is roughly the same as it was last week on Monday, which is a good sign given that occurred with more tests having been administered compared to last week. Where the numbers are at the end of this week could supply some idea as to whether things are potentially starting to trend in the right direction or if this is simply a temporary slowing in the growth of new cases.
There are 2,254,523 individuals who have tested negative to date. Of those who have tested positive to date the age breakdown is as follows:
- Approximately 1% are ages 0-4;
- Approximately 2% are ages 5-12;
- Approximately 5% are ages 13-18;
- Nearly 14% are ages 19-24;
- Nearly 36% are ages 25-49;
- Approximately 21% are ages 50-64; and
- Nearly 21% are ages 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. Increases among 19 to 24-year-olds from April to present in October are available below:
- NC – Approximately 7 percent of cases in April to nearly 30 percent of cases so far in October;
- NE – 6 percent of cases in April to nearly 17 percent of cases so far in October;
- NW – Nearly 7 percent of cases in April to nearly 16 percent of cases so far in October;
- SE – Nearly 5 percent of cases in April to nearly 15 percent of cases so far in October;
- SW – Approximately 5 percent of cases in April to 12 percent of cases so far in October; and
- SC – Approximately 7 percent of cases in April to 10 percent of cases so far in October.