The Pennsylvania Department of Health reported 14,755 new cases of coronavirus on Saturday, covering a two-day holiday period.
Across Pennsylvania, 605,141 people have contracted COVID-19 since the pandemic began earlier this year.
Across the state, 14,883 deaths were related to the virus, including 139 reported on Thursday night and 26 reported at Christmas, the health department said.
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Pennsylvania saw an increase in the number of cases in December, with the daily number rising to more than 10,000 – five times the worst seen in the spring – and the number of deaths sometimes reaching 200 a day.
The number of hospitalizations has also increased dramatically in recent weeks. According to the health department, 5,925 patients with COVID-19 are hospitalized. Of these, 1,196 are in intensive care units.
A statewide shutdown of restaurants, youth sports, indoor gyms and casinos is in effect until January 4. Some restaurants that violated the ban were warned or even closed.
Tests have increased since spring, but so has the percentage of positive tests. Of those who took the test in the last seven days, 15.8% tested positive. Anything above 5% shows a significant spread of COVID-19 in the community.
- More: Graphs, data on coronavirus in Pa.
Most hospitalized patients, and the majority of those who died, are 65 or older, the state said. Nursing homes have struggled with the spread of the virus.
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The health department reports that 63% of people who contracted the coronavirus have recovered. The state considers that patients recovered after 30 days from the point of infection or the onset of symptoms. More than 3.2 million people have tested negative.
Coronavirus vaccines have gone to hospitals in Pennsylvania. So far, 66,350 doses have been administered, the state said. Hospital staff were the first on the list to receive vaccines, which are still scarce. The elderly should be next.
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