Pa. reports 15,785 new coronavirus cases over last two days
Chris Ullery
An estimated 343,614 Pennsylvanians have contracted the coronavirus since March following a two-day increase of 15,785 new cases reported Friday.
A news release from the Pennsylvania Department of Health added 4,087 new patients were hospitalized as of midnight Friday, with 877 patients in intensive care.
The health department reported 7,360 new cases Friday, adding to another 8,425 new cases reported on Thanksgiving Day.
Friday's estimated cases alone were more than three times the highest reported daily increase during the initial outbreak, when 2,058 cases were reported on April 8, state COVID-19 data show.
Allegheny County's 806 new cases appears to be the highest for a single county as of Friday, nearly doubling Lancaster County's 430 cases and Philadelphia's reported cases, the data show.
Bucks County hasn't been immune to the coronavirus' fall resurgence, with Friday's 344 case estimate putting it fourth highest in the commonwealth. The state estimated Montgomery County saw 262 more coronavirus cases Friday, putting it at the sixth highest daily increase.
Keeping hospitals from overflowing has been a primary concern of health officials across the state since March.
An overburdened hospital doesn't just pose a threat to coronavirus patients in need of treatment, but can also mean delayed treatment for patients with other diseases, injuries or other ailments that can become more severe left untreated.
The virus has also been statistically more dangerous to people with underlying health concerns, including cancer patients whose treatments suppress their immune systems.
State health officials have previously warned higher spikes in cases may come in the weeks following the Thanksgiving holiday.
There have been 10,234 deaths attributed to the coronavirus in Pennsylvania to date, with about 139 of those deaths reported in the last two days.
The majority of deaths statewide have been in people ages 80 to 89, and about 6,430 deaths have been in residents at nursing homes and long-term care facilities, the state's news release adds.