Welcome back, fans! MLB openers bring Soto, Tatis and crowds

China pushes to expand virus origin search beyond its border

WILKES-BARRE &mdash; The latest Department of Health report on Wednesday showed 105 new cases of COVID-19 in Luzerne County and no new deaths. The death count is at 763.
				The new report brings the county&rsquo;s total cases to 27,080 since the pandemic began last year.
				Neighboring Lackawanna County has 15,567 cases and 435 deaths; Monroe County has 11,446 cases and 289 deaths.
				The Department of Health confirmed that as of Wednesday there were 4,557 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 1,024,857.
				Statewide percent positivity for the week of March 19&#8211;March 25, stood at 7.6%.
				Vaccine distribution
				According to the CDC, as of Wednesday morning, March 31, Pennsylvania has administered first doses of vaccine to 31% of its eligible population, putting it ahead of the national average.
				Vaccine providers have administered 5,154,718 total vaccine doses as of Wednesday, March 31.
				&mdash; 1,830,605 people are fully vaccinated; with a seven-day moving average of more than 82,000 people per day receiving vaccinations.
				&mdash; 1,614,879 people are partially vaccinated, meaning they have received one dose of a two-dose vaccine.
				&mdash; 3,445,484 people have received at least their first dose.
				This week, a total of 5,870,320 doses will have been allocated through April 3:
				&mdash; 369,510 first/single doses will have been allocated this week.
				&mdash; 265,670 second doses will have been allocated this week.
				To date, we have administered 5,154,718 doses total through March 31:
				&mdash; First/single doses: 3,445,484 administered
				&mdash; Second doses: 1,709,234 administered
				To see a map of locations where you can get a vaccination go to the <a href="https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/disease/coronavirus/Vaccine/Pages/Vaccine.aspx#map" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Pennsylvania Department of Health website</a>.
				A commonwealth COVID-19 vaccination guide explains current process for getting one. Pennsylvanians with questions about the vaccination process can call the Department of Health hotline at 1-877-724-3258.
				Statewide data
				There are 1,980 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19. Of that number, 392 patients are in the intensive care unit with COVID-19. Most of the patients hospitalized are ages 65 or older, and most of the deaths have occurred in patients 65 or older.
				As of 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, there were 44 new deaths identified by the Pennsylvania death registry, reported for a total of 25,093 deaths attributed to COVID-19.
				Mask-wearing is required in all businesses and whenever leaving home, even if fully vaccinated. Consistent mask-wearing is critical to preventing the spread of COVID-19.
				There are 128,662 individuals who have a positive viral antigen test and are considered probable cases and 639 individuals who have a positive serology test and either COVID-19 symptoms or a high-risk exposure.
				There are 4,135,022 individuals who have tested negative to date.
				In licensed nursing and personal care homes, there are 69,255 resident cases of COVID-19, and 14,251 cases among employees, for a total of 83,506 at 1,575 distinct facilities in all 67 counties.
				Out of total deaths reported to PA-NEDSS, 12,915 have occurred in residents from nursing or personal care facilities. A county breakdown can be found here.
				Approximately 26,460 of our total cases are among health care workers.

105 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Luzerne County on Wednesday