Pennsylvania reports 853 new coronavirus cases, 17 deaths

Pennsylvania on Thursday reported 853 new cases of covid-19, with 796 of those confirmed and 57 reported as probable.

The total number of cases reported in the state has now reached 153,397, according to the Department of Health. The state’s 7-day average is 782 cases and the daily positivity rate is 6.13%

There were 17 new deaths reported in the state, for a total of 8,079 since the pandemic began. Of the 17 newly reported deaths, 11 are from September, three from July, two from June and one from May.

Pennsylvania reported 13,058 new patients testing negative, for a total of 1,803,470 to date.

The state is reporting 422 patients currently hospitalized for covid-19 with 53 of those using a ventilator.

The patients who tested positive to date break down into these age groups:

Approximately 1% are ages 0-4.

Nearly 2% are ages 5-12.

Approximately 4% are ages 13-18.

Approximately 13% are ages 19-24.

Approximately 36% are ages 25-49.

Nearly 22% are ages 50-64.

Nearly 22% are ages 65 or older.

There are 22,498 resident cases of covid-19 in nursing and personal care homes and 4,936 cases among employees, for a total of 27,434 at 969 facilities, according to the Department of Health.

The state released its COVID Alert PA phone app this week and is reporting more 70,000 downloads. The app will alert you if you may have been exposed to covid-19.

“Thanks to the tens of thousands of Pennsylvanians who have already downloaded the free app,” Gov. Tom Wolf said in a release. “Now, I ask that you share the app with all those you know because the more people who download it, the more effective it will be in helping us unite against COVID. Please download the app and then encourage those you know to do the same and use their phones in the fight.”