Allegheny County Revises Coronavirus Death Count Downward

PITTSBURGH, PA - Allegheny County officials said Thursday there have been 69 coronavirus deaths in the county, down from the 74 they reported Wednesday. The reason for the decrease: A county health department worker identified duplicate deaths Wednesday when reviewing data.

Of reported deaths, 62 are confirmed (had positive test) and seven are probable. A probable death is one where COVID-19 is listed on the deceased's death certificate, but the person didn't have a positive test for the virus.

All deaths are of individuals ranging in age from 42-103, with 83 being the median age of those who have died.

The number of confirmed or probable coronavirus cases in the county was 1,149 as of 11 a.m. Thursday. That's up from 1,088 on Wednesday and 1,059 on Tuesday.

Two hundred and four people have been hospitalized in the county during the outbreak, up from 196 on Wednesday and 186 on Tuesday.

With 317 confirmed cases in Beaver County, 300 in Westmoreland County, 164 in Butler County and 87 in Washington County, that brings the total number of cases in the five-county
southwestern Pennsylvania region to 2,017 as of Thursday. That's up from 1,930 on Wednesday and 1,887 on Tuesday.

According to the state Department of Health, there have now been been 145 coronavirus deaths
thus far in the five-county region: Sixty-nine in Allegheny County, 47 in Beaver County, 20 in Westmoreland County, seven in Butler County and two in Washington County. With the decrease in Allegheny County numbers, that's the same as the 145 reported on Wednesday and up from 126 on Tuesday.

Don't miss local and statewide news about coronavirus developments and precautions. Sign up for Patch news alerts and daily newsletters.

According to state Department of Health figures, Allegheny County has recorded the ninth-most coronavirus cases in the state behind Berks, Bucks, Delaware, Lehigh, Luzerene, Montgomery, Northampton and Philadelphia counties.

Gov. Tom Wolf has extended the stay-at-home order for all Pennsylvania counties until May 8, and has said the state will begin gradually reopening in May. Schools will remain closed through the end of the academic year.