Pennsylvania reports 200 more coronavirus deaths, more than 1,300 new cases

Pennsylvania added 200 more coronavirus deaths to its toll on Friday along with more than 1,300 new cases of the virus, state health officials said.

The new numbers bring the statewide death toll to 3,616. Of those deaths, 2,458 — 68% — have been in long-term care facilities. The total number of deaths has risen by hundreds over the past several days as Department of Health officials work to catch up with data coming in from Philadelphia and other counties.

There were 1,323 positive cases reported to the department between 12 a.m. Thursday and 12 a.m. Friday, bringing the running total to 54,238.

The new numbers come as two dozen northern counties begin the move into the yellow phase of Gov. Tom Wolf’s phased reopening plan. He announced 13 more counties — including Allegheny and Westmoreland — will shift to yellow May 15.

Across the state, 216,321 people have tested negative for the virus.

Allegheny County officials reported 16 additional cases of covid-19 and two more deaths Friday, bringing the total to 1,455 confirmed or probable cases and 119 deaths countywide.

Westmoreland County added two more cases Friday to bring its total to 413 cases with 32 deaths.

Eight more long-term care facilities in Pennsylvania have reported at least one covid-19 case, bringing the total to 522. Across the facilities, 10,919 residents have contracted the virus along with 1,542 employees. Of the state’s deaths, 2,458 have been nursing home residents.

In Allegheny County, 90 long-term care residents have died from covid-19, according to the Department of Health. There have been a total of 315 cases across 37 care facilities, and 102 employees have tested positive. That includes 13 deaths at Kane Community Living Center’s Glen Hazel location.

Across nine care facilities in Westmoreland County, 131 residents have tested positive for the virus and at least 27 have died, according to Department of Health data. Thirty employees have also contracted the virus.