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Record High Testing of Over 49,500 PCR Tests

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 6, 2020

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., November 6, that there were 3,384 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 223,950. This is the highest daily increase of cases.

The most accurate daily data is available on the website with archived data also available.

The number of tests administered within the last seven days between October 30 and November 5 is 301,056 with 17,690 positive cases. There were 49,528 test results reported to the department through 10 p.m. on November 5. This is a record high number of PCR test results reported to the department.

There are 8,975 deaths attributed to COVID-19 with an increase of 38 new deaths reported. County-specific information and a statewide map are available on the COVID-19 Data Dashboard.

Mask-wearing is required in all businesses and whenever leaving home. Consistent mask-wearing is critical to preventing the spread of COVID-19.

There are 4,743 individuals who have a positive viral antigen test and are considered probable cases and 646 individuals who have a positive serology test and either COVID-19 symptoms or a high-risk exposure.

There are 2,408,366 individuals who have tested negative to date. Of those who have tested positive to date, the age breakdown is as follows:

  • Approximately 1% are ages 0-4;
  • Approximately 2% are ages 5-12;
  • Approximately 5% are ages 13-18;
  • Nearly 14% are ages 19-24;
  • Approximately 36% are ages 25-49;
  • Approximately 21% are ages 50-64; and
  • Nearly 21% are ages 65 or older.

There are 1,599 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19. Of that number, 351 patients are in the intensive care unit. Most of the patients hospitalized are age 65 or older, and most of the deaths have occurred in patients aged 65 or older. More data is available here.

The department has seen significant increases in the number of COVID-19 cases among younger age groups, particularly 19 to 24-year-olds. An alert was sent to healthcare providers about the changing COVID-19 case demographics. Increases among 19 to 24-year-olds from April through November are available below:

  • NC – Approximately 7 percent of cases in April to approximately 20 percent of cases so far in November;
  • NE – 6 percent of cases in April to approximately 13 percent of cases so far in November;
  • SE – Nearly 5 percent of cases in April to nearly 11 percent of cases so far in November;
  • SW – Approximately 5 percent of cases in April to 10 percent of cases so far in November;
  • NW – Nearly 7 percent of cases in April to approximately 10 percent of cases so far in November; and
  • SC – Approximately 7 percent of cases in April to nearly 9 percent of cases so far in November.

In nursing and personal care homes, there are 27,104 resident cases of COVID-19 and 5,810 cases among employees for a total of 32,914 cases at 1,106 distinct facilities in 63 counties. Out of our total deaths, 5,903 have occurred in residents from nursing or personal care facilities. A county breakdown can be found here.

Approximately 12,811 of our total cases are among health care workers.

Statewide – The Wolf Administration has since noon on November 5:

The Wolf Administration stresses the role Pennsylvanians play in helping to reduce the spread of COVID-19:

  • Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
  • Cover any coughs or sneezes with your elbow, not your hands.
  • Clean surfaces frequently.
  • Stay home to avoid spreading COVID-19, especially if you are unwell.
  • If you must go out, you are required to wear a mask when in a business or where it is difficult to maintain proper social distancing.
  • Download the COVID Alert PA app and make your phone part of the fight. The free app can be found in the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store by searching for “covid alert pa”.

Updated Coronavirus Links: Press Releases, State Lab Photos, and Graphics

All Pennsylvania residents are encouraged to sign up for AlertPA, a text notification system for health, weather, and other important alerts like COVID-19 updates from commonwealth agencies. Residents can sign up online.

MEDIA CONTACT: Nate Wardle

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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is partnering with pharmacies to offer on-site COVID-19 vaccination services for long-term care facilities when a vaccine becomes available. The Pharmacy Partnership for Long-term Care Program provides end-to-end management of the COVID-19 vaccination process, including cold chain management, on-site vaccinations, and fulfillment of reporting requirements, to facilitate safe vaccination of this patient population while reducing the burden on facilities and jurisdictional health departments.

The program is available for residents and staff in long-term care settings where most individuals are over 65 years of age, including skilled nursing facilities, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, residential care homes, and adult family homes. Additionally, facilities must be enrolled in the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) to participate in the Pharmacy Partnership for Long-term Care Program; all facilities enrolled in the NHSN are eligible to participate. Intermediate Care Facility and intellectual disability (ICF/ID) facilities wishing to enroll in the NHSN should follow the enrollment steps listed here. Other facilities wishing to participate should visit here to see if they are eligible to enroll in the NHSN.

Participation in this program identifies your facility as willing to receive vaccines from CVS or Walgreens when the vaccine becomes available and if your facility is eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccine. The program is free of charge to facilities. CVS or Walgreens will bill private and public insurance for the vaccine administration fee. Additional information regarding COVID-19 vaccination costs can be found here.

All Long-term Care Facilities wishing to participate in the program must be registered with the Pharmacy Partnership to determine eligibility.

ODP providers of adult day programs/Community Participation Supports, residential services, and Intermediate Care Facilities willing to receive the vaccine through this Partnership program may complete this online form. Please respond by 11:59 pm EDT on Friday, November 6, 2020

If you have any questions please email.

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Your input matters! The Department of Human Services (DHS) and other stakeholders are working on suggestions to improve Pennsylvania’s Medical Assistance Transportation Program (MATP). Whether you use the program now or are eligible to use the program to get to your medical appointments, we welcome your feedback.

We invite you to attend one of the following three online sessions. You will hear more about the suggestions and have the chance to ask questions and give us your thoughts.

  • Option 1: Tuesday, November 17 from 6:00-7:30 pm. (Register here);
  • Option 2: Wednesday, November 18 from 1:00-2:30 pm. (Register here); or
  • Option 3: Friday, November 20 from 10:00-11:30 am. (Register here)

There are two ways to attend a session. You will receive more information closer to the date.

  1. Download and use the GoToWebinar software on your computer, tablet, or smart phone (video is not required).
  2. Call with a landline or cell phone (you can listen to the session but not ask questions if calling directly from a landline or cell phone).

If you have questions about these sessions, please submit them here. Thank you for considering this opportunity to provide your opinion. We look forward to hearing from you.

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On October 27, 2020, the Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) notified all providers that interim reporting of COVID-19 related costs under Act 24 would be due on November 6, 2020. Because of unforeseen delays in web portal user provisioning for OLTL providers and recognition that this delay may not allow enough time for providers to gather and report their data, OLTL has changed its reporting requirements. There will be no interim report required of non-nursing facility providers. In preparation for final reporting on the use of Act 24 funding, now due December 21, 2020, OLTL recommends that providers begin to populate the applicable Excel reporting template now.

OLTL will offer a webinar to give non-nursing facility providers a chance to ask questions about reporting COVID-19 related costs under Act 24. Information about the webinar, including date and time, will be issued in the near future.

As a reminder, providers are advised to review the guidance for eligible COVID-19 costs in DHS’s Frequently Asked Questions and on the following US Department of Treasury websites: Coronavirus-Relief-Fund-Guidance and Coronavirus-Relief-Fund-Frequently-Asked-Questions. These documents outline the conditions and acceptable uses of Cares Act and Act 24 funding. Most importantly, the deadline by which costs must be incurred to be eligible under Act 24 is November 30, 2020.

Any provider who does not expect to use all or part of the Act 24 funding may return the funds to OLTL at:

PA Department of Human Services
Office of Long-Term Living

PO Box 8025

Harrisburg, PA 17105-8025

Please send any remaining questions about OLTL Act 24 reporting here.

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