Pennsylvania reports jump of 310 coronavirus deaths as it continues to catch up with data

Continued work by the state Department of Health to catch up with coronavirus numbers from all 67 counties has resulted in another jump in deaths on Thursday, this one by more than 300.

The 310 new deaths, which occurred over the course of several weeks rather than one day, brings the statewide death toll to 3,416.

Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine has said there is lag time in how quickly coroners and doctors report deaths, and death investigations are not instantaneous.

She has also said the department is not including probable deaths in its official count. Probable deaths are those in which an individual had symptoms of the virus, close contact with a confirmed case and covid-19 is included on their death certificate but they were never tested for the virus.

Probable death numbers have not been included in the state numbers for weeks. Confirmed covid-19 deaths are those of individuals who tested positive and died from the virus.

In addition to the new deaths, the state also reported 1,070 new cases of the virus, bringing Pennsylvania’s running total to 52,915.

Just under 210,000 people have tested negative for the virus across the state.

This story will be updated.