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Thursday COVID-19 update: Pennsylvania reports 781 new cases as restrictions take hold

Published July 16. 2020 02:36PM

HARRISBURG (AP) - Pennsylvania reported 781 new coronavirus cases Thursday, bringing the statewide total to more than 98,000 as new, statewide pandemic restrictions took effect.

The state Department of Health said there were 16 additional deaths for a new statewide toll of 6,973.

Allegheny County, which has figured in a recent surge in virus cases, reported 140 new cases from tests conducted between June 30 and July 14. Philadelphia reported 132 new infections.

Locally, Carbon County has increased by three cases to 309 positives, with one additional death bringing the total to 28 deaths.

Lehigh County has 4,495 cases, an increase of 30. Deaths stayed at 330.

In Luzerne County, six new cases are reported for a total of 3,042. Deaths remain at 181.

In Monroe County, five new cases are reported for a total of 1,487. One more death was recorded for a total of 114.

In Northampton County, 19 new cases are reported for a total of 3,601. Deaths remain at 283.

In Schuylkill County, 10 new cases are reported. The total is 792, with 48 deaths.

Gov. Tom Wolf reimposed restrictions Thursday on bars, restaurants, and larger indoor gatherings - now limited to 25 people, down from 250 - in response to what he called an “unsettling climb” in infections.

Critics questioned the need for statewide restrictions when only a few areas of the state have been seeing rising case numbers. Wolf warned that a “new surge is in the offing” that could eclipse what happened in the spring, when the virus killed thousands and sickened tens of thousands of Pennsylvanians. Disease modeling from PolicyLab at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia shows infections rising sharply in Philadelphia and the suburbs in coming weeks.

The number of infections is thought to be far higher than the state’s confirmed case count because many people have not been tested, and studies suggest people can be infected without feeling sick.

For most people, the virus causes mild or moderate symptoms that clear up in a couple of weeks. Older adults and people with existing health problems are at higher risk of more severe illness, including pneumonia, or death.

Customers sit at the bar at the Riverside Cafe in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. Wednesday, July 15, 2020. To fight the coronavirus, nightclubs will be shut down, bars will be closed unless they also offer dine-in meals, and bars and restaurants will be limited to 25% capacity under Gov. Tom Wolf's order, which takes effect Thursday and also requires companies to have their employees telework to the extent possible. (Sean McKeag/The Citizens' Voice via AP)