State Reports 60 Cases of COVID-19 in Schuylkill County Over Last 4 Days

The Pennsylvania Dept. of Health reported 60 new cases of COVID-19 in Schuylkill County over the last 4 days.

That figure includes 41 new cases over the weekend.

Here’s a look at the last 4 days reporting from the Health Dept.:

• 15 on Thursday, Sept. 24
• 4 on Friday, Sept. 25
• 21 on Saturday, Sept. 26
• 20 on Sunday, Sept. 27

The figures over the weekend represent the second- and-third-highest single day positive case totals since the start of the pandemic. The highest total, 26, happened way back on April 29.

60 New Cases of COVID-19 in Schuylkill County Since Thursday

We’ve asked the Dept. of Health what it believes is behind the apparent surge in Schuylkill County coronavirus cases. Once we hear back from them, we’ll report on that response.

But the sudden “spike” in cases is confounding. It’s completely off recent trends. In fact, there were only 3 days in July which featured double-digit new cases in Schuylkill County. And for most of August and September, only about a handful of new cases were reported daily in Schuylkill County.

The Shenandoah Sentinel reported on Sept. 22 that Shenandoah had gone a month without a new positive case of COVID-19. In fact, based on that reporting, which showed 88 positive cases in the 17976 ZIP Code, and the most recent data available on Pennsylvania’s COVID-19 County Dashboard, the number of cases actually dropped by 3 in the last week.

New Cases Panic Porn

It’s easy to look at these recent figures from the Health Dept. and get panicked. The mainstream news is already spreading panic across the country about the so-called second wave of the virus. It was the lead story on at least one national newscast on Sunday. But this isn’t the first time since the beginning of summer when the news has reported on second wave fears.

So, is this the start of the actual “second wave” of the virus? It’s far too soon to make any determination like that, despite how much the media and health officials in Harrisburg attempt to stoke fear over the virus.

It’s hard to take any statement seriously from a Health Dept. which has been responsible for the decision that’s put so many senior lives at risk through a flawed policy instituted at the start of the pandemic. And it’s equally difficult to trust a Health Dept. that pitches a smartphone app as a solution to curbing the virus.

“Wearing a mask, practicing social distancing, and following the requirements set forth in the orders for bars and restaurants, gatherings, and telework will help keep our case counts low. Make your phone part of the fight against COVID-19 today by downloading the COVID Alert PA exposure notification app. Together, as Pennsylvanians, all of our efforts are designed to support our communities to ensure that cases of COVID-19 remain low,” Health Sect. Rachel Levine said in a statement on Sunday.

COVID-19 Hospitalizations and Deaths in Schuylkill County

Despite the recent “spike” in new case totals out of Schuylkill County, there’s no evidence suggesting the virus is as potent as it may have once been.

After several days recently of local hospitals void of COVID-19 patients, there are now 7 people being treated in Schuylkill County hospitals for a COVID-19 infection. The death toll locally is at 52. And the last death linked to COVID-19 in Schuylkill County was on Aug. 9.

ALSO READ:

• Goodman Reverses on Veto Override Vote of School Sports Attendance Bill
• 15% Would Go Against Doctor’s Orders and Not Take Hydroxychloroquine to Treat COVID-19
• Schuylkill County Hospitals Empty of COVID Patients – 6 More Cases Total
• Curve Flattened – No COVID Deaths in Schuylkill County in a Month

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