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Washington County records second coronavirus case

By Scott Beveridge And Barbara S. Miller staff Writers newsroom@observer-Reporter.Com 3 min read
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Washington County has an additional case of coronavirus, bringing its total to two, as another 20 positive cases of the virus were reported Tuesday afternoon in Pennsylvania, the state Heath Department secretary said.

The increase takes the statewide total to 96, with Allegheny County rising by two, taking its number to eight, Secretary Rachel Levine said.

“Pennsylvanians have a very important job right now: stay calm; stay home and stay safe. We have seen case counts continue to increase, and the best way to prevent the spread of COVID-19 is stay home,” Levine said.

All of the patients were either in isolation at home or being treated at the hospital.

The additional cases were as follows: two in Allegheny County; one in Beaver County; three in Bucks County; two in Chester County; five in Cumberland County; two in Delaware County; two in Montgomery County; two in Philadelphia County; and one in Washington County.

The state’s reporting has shifted to a daily update at noon based on results reported to the department by midnight, as the volume of test results continue to increase, Levine said.

The spread of coronavirus prompted Gov. Tom Wolf a day earlier to strongly suggest that all nonessential businesses close, giving restaurants an exception to sell take-out food only. Grocery stores, gasoline stations, pharmacies and health-care facilities were to remain open.

There were 879 patients who had tested negative. With commercial labs being the primary testing option for most residents, data was not available on the total number of tests pending.

The Allegheny County Health Department recorded different numbers Tuesday.

The department said it received confirmation at mid-morning Tuesday of one new case of the virus, and three presumptive positive cases, taking its total to 10.

Allegheny spokeswoman Aime Downs has said the discrepancy between the state’s numbers and its numbers involved commercial labs lagging behind in uploading information to the state.

The new confirmed case involved an individual in their 60s who is currently hospitalized. Where the person acquired the virus was not immediately known, the county said.

The three new presumptive positive cases are all young adults over the age of 18 who are in isolation at home, Downs said.

Two of the patients acquired COVID-19 through recent international travel and one through recent domestic travel.

Washington County reported its first case Friday. 

Levine was expected to hold a briefing at 2 p.m. today to update the public on the spread of the virus.

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