Allegheny Co. Reports Record Number Of Coronavirus Cases

PITTSBURGH, PA — The Allegheny County Health Department on Thursday reported 20 new coronavirus deaths - the most ever reported in one day. The county death toll now stands at 544, up from 524 on Wednesday.

The county reported 1,028 confirmed and probable new cases - by far the highest number of cases reported in a single day during the pandemic. There have been 30,543 cases since the outbreak began in March. That's up from 29,515 on Wednesday.

“It pains me to report these numbers. I had hoped we’d never see this level of community spread," county Health Director Dr. Debra Bogen said.

"This heartbreaking milestone must move our community into action. I implore to you cancel parties, weddings, gatherings, events and stay home whenever possible...We can and we must do better.”

There have been 2,140 hospitalizations in the county during the outbreak. That's up from 2,115 on Wednesday.

The 962 confirmed cases came from 2,614 new tests - a positivity rate of 36 percent. To put that number into perspective, the positivity rate for tests across the state between Nov. 24 and Nov. 30 was eight percent.

With 9,643 cases in Westmoreland County, 4,802 in Washington County, 4,750 in Butler County and 4,218 in Beaver County, that brings the total number of cased to 53,956 when Allegheny County numbers are included. That's up from 52,488 on Wednesday.

According to the state Department of Health, there have been 1,074 deaths in the region from the virus: Five hundred and forty-four in Allegheny County, 219 in Westmoreland County, 156 in Beaver County, 82 in Butler County and 73 in Washington County. That's up from 1,035 on Wednesday.