12 More Die In Pennsylvania From Coronavirus, 500 New Cases Found

PENNSYLVANIA — Twelve more residents have died from coronavirus in Pennsylvania, state officials announced Saturday. It's the highest number of deaths recorded in a single day since the outbreak began, and brings the state's total deaths to 34.

In addition, 533 new cases were announced Saturday, a similar spike to Friday's 531 new cases. The state's total of positives is at 2,751 as of Saturday afternoon.

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“Our notable increase in cases over the past week indicate we need everyone to take COVID-19 seriously,” Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said. “Pennsylvanians have a very important job right now: stay calm, stay home and stay safe."

Gov. Wolf added three new counties to his "stay at home" order Saturday: Beaver, Centre, and Washington. That means 22 counties are now under that edict. Under the order, residents should only leave home for essential tasks, like buying food, medicine, and exercising. Learn more: Here's What You Can Do During PA's 'Stay At Home' Order

The state also announced a broad reduction in restrictions in order to expand the number of available healthcare workers in the state. All licenses healthcare professionals will now be able to provide tele-medicine care. Fees have also been waived for retired doctors, nurses, and pharmacists whose licenses have expired but who want to work now.

The 25-49 age group has the highest number of the state's hospitalized cases. About 11 percent of all positive cases have required hospitalization in Pennsylvania, Levine added.

A total of 25,254 patients have been tested around the state as of Friday afternoon. Officials in many counties, including Bucks and Montgomery, attributed their recent increase in positive cases to the expanded testing being offered.

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