Pennsylvania sets daily high in coronavirus cases with 5,551 new infections

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PHILADELPHIA - The coronavirus pandemic continued its resurgence across Pennsylvania on Saturday as health department officials announced a new daily record of positive infections.

The health department added 5,551 positive tests to push the statewide total to more than 259,000 since the onset of the pandemic. The amount of virus-related deaths increased by 50 on Saturday, raising the overall total to 9,274.

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The state continues to monitor an increase in serious infections which has resulted in an uptick in hospitalizations. According to the latest data provided by the state, there are 2,314 patients hospitalized and 480 in intensive care. Health officials say most of the gravely ill patients are 65-years or older.

However, the Pennsylvania Department of Health says that younger demographics are aiding the spike in new infections. The 19-24-year-olds that made up a sliver of new infections in April now account for a double-digit percentage of daily infections.

In southeast Pennsylvania, cases have doubled from where they were in April among the young adult age bracket. State data says the 19-24-year-old demographic that made up 5% of new cases in April is now responsible for 11% of new cases.

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The most severe spike in young adults is being monitored in the northcentral part of the state where cases have risen from a 7% share in April to 20% in November, according to health officials.

The state continues to urge residents to adhere to the mitigation guidelines provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Mask-wearing is mandatory in all public spaces and social distancing measures are highly encouraged.

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