PA Sees COVID Positivity Rate, New Cases Drop Sharply

Norristown PA

06 May, 2021

4:15 PM

Description

PENNSYLVANIA — For the second week in a row, Pennsylvania saw a notable decline in its statewide positivity rate, another encouraging sign that the pandemic is slowly but surely being beaten back. The state's positivity rate on tests now sits at 7.6 percent, a drop of a full percentage point from last week, when it sat at 8.6 percent. This is the lowest that mark has been since the first week of April; and 12 counties now have a rate lower than 5 percent. In addition, the total of number of cases tracked over the most recently studied seven-day period, covering April 23 to April 29, fell from 21,823 to 17,774. "This is the second week in a row where we are seeing a decline in the statewide positivity rate – which is encouraging news," Gov. Wolf said in acknowledging the improvement, noting that the pandemic was not quite over yet. "All data shows that the fight against COVID-19 is still underway. We appreciate the commitment of our fellow Pennsylvanians in continuing this fight." The fourth wave of the virus, which officials believed was largely spurred by more contagious variants of the virus like the B.1.1.7 United Kingdom variant, brought increases to most parts of the state in March and April. The improvements come as the vaccination rate continues to climb, and the state inches closer to herd immunity. Healthcare metrics have also dropped: the average weekly hospitalizations is down from 2,740 to 2,463, while patients on ventilators dropped from 282 to 265. The percentage of emergency room visits due to coronavirus symptoms remains fairly steady, at 0.9 percent. The state continues to monitor how each county is performing in community transmission markers. The majority of counties remain in the "substantial" category, but there have been encouraging signs. Here's the breakdown: Low transmission Cameron, Forest, and Fulton. Moderate transmission Allegheny, Bedford, Butler, Clarion, Crawford, Cumberland, Elk, Erie, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Jefferson, Lawrence, Mercer, Snyder, Tioga, Venango, Warren, Washington, and Westmoreland. Substantial transmission Adams, Armstrong, Beaver, Berks, Blair, Bradford, Bucks, Cambria, Carbon, Centre, Chester, Clearfield, Clinton, Columbia, Dauphin, Delaware, Franklin, Huntingdon, Juniata, Lackawanna, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lehigh, Luzerne, Lycoming, McKean, Mifflin, Monroe, Montgomery, Montour, Northampton, Northumberland, Perry, Philadelphia, Pike, Potter, Schuylkill, Somerset, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Union, Wayne, Wyoming, and York.