For first time in two months, Pa. Health Dept. reports more than 1,000 new COVID-19 cases

Officials at the state Department of Health confirmed 1,009 new cases of COVID-19 on Friday, bringing the statewide total 93,876 cases in all 67 counties.

The increase marked the largest-single day increase in two months, PennLive reported Friday.

Pennsylvania’s two largest counties — Allegheny and Philadelphia — saw their case counts jump by 180 and 162 cases overnight, the Health Department said in a statement. About 175 of the cases reported Friday did not occur within the past 24 hours, but were instead “the result of an influx of private lab results,” the Health Department said.

The Health Department confirmed 32 new fatalities to COVID-19 on Friday, bringing the statewide total to 6,880 confirmed fatalities.

“As the entire state is now in the green phase, we must remain committed to protecting against COVID-19 by wearing a mask, practicing social distancing and avoiding large gatherings,” state Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine said in a statement. “Pennsylvania has been a model for the country on how to reopen effectively using a careful, measured approach. However, the virus has not gone away and we are seeing cases rise, especially in Southwest Pennsylvania.”