The Pennsylvania Department of Health confirmed Monday that there were 7,962 new cases, in addition to 10,684 new cases reported Sunday, for a two-day total of 18,646 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 499,764.

There are 5,970 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19. Of that number, 1,227 patients are in the intensive care unit with COVID-19. Most of the patients hospitalized are ages 65 or older, and most of the deaths have occurred in patients 65 or older.

The trend in the 14-day moving average of number of hospitalized patients per day has increased by nearly 4,900 since the end of September.

Statewide percent positivity for the week of Dec. 4 – Dec. 10 stood at 16.2%.

As of Saturday, there were 201 new deaths and as of 11:59 p.m. Sunday, there were 129 new deaths reported for a total of 12,565 deaths attributed to COVID-19.

Local numbers

• Carbon County reported 1,989 cases, an increase of 83 since Saturday. Seventy-four deaths have been reported to date.

• Lehigh County reported 15,583, an increase of 635 since Saturday. A total of 424 deaths have been reported.

• Luzerne County has 13,259 cases, an uptick of 781 since Saturday. Luzerne has reported 364 deaths.

• Monroe reported 4,737, an increase of 174. Two more deaths have been reported for a total of 174.

• Northampton County reported 12,672, 521 new cases. A total of 360 deaths have been reported.

• Schuylkill reported 5,686, an increase of 337 cases. Three more deaths have been reported for a total of 206.