The Pennsylvania Department of Health on Saturday reported 5,785 new cases of coronavirus and another 205 deaths.
Across Pennsylvania, 799,957 people have contracted COVID-19 since the pandemic began about a year ago.
In all, 20,526 deaths were linked to the virus. It took eight months to reach 10,000 deaths, but it took less than two months to double it.
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The number of virus-related hospitalizations continues with the recent decline. According to the Department of Health, approximately 4,100 COVID-19 patients are being admitted to the hospital as of Saturday morning, from a December peak that was above 6,300. About 822 are in intensive care today.
Of those who underwent a coronavirus test in the seven days to January 21, 10.5% were positive. Just over 5% show a significant spread in the community of COVID-19.
- More: Graphs, Coronavirus Data in Pa.
The state said most of the patients admitted to the hospital, and most of those who died, were 65 years or older.
This week, Gov. Tom Wolf’s government said it was increasing the spread of the vaccine for anyone over the age of 65 and anyone between the ages of 16 and 64 with certain chronic health problems or high-risk conditions. However, vaccination of the vaccine is limited. To date, nearly 400,000 Pennsylvania residents have received at least the first of two COVID-19 vaccine shots.
According to the Department of Health, 79% of those who contracted the coronavirus recovered. The state believes that patients recovered when they were 30 days past the point of infection or the onset of symptoms. About 3.5 million people underwent negative tests.
Wolf announced Friday that he is nominating Alison Beam, his deputy chief of staff, to replace Pennsylvania’s outgoing health secretary, Dr. Rachel Levine, to succeed, nominated by President Joe Biden as Assistant U.S. Secretary of Health. Levine plans to become the first officially transgender official confirmed by the U.S. Senate.
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