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WILKES-BARRE &mdash; The Pennsylvania Department of Health on Saturday confirmed 36 new cases of COVID-19 in Luzerne County and no new deaths.
				That brings Luzerne County&rsquo;s total cases to 3,867; the death count remains at 188.
				Neighboring Lackawanna County has 2,176 cases and 214 deaths; Monroe County has 1,735 cases and 129 deaths.
				The Department of Health confirmed that there are 963 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 138,625. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania have cases of COVID-19.
				Philadelphia is reporting an increase of 124 cases.
				The number of tests administered within the last 7 days between Aug. 29 and Sept. 4 is 159,937 with 5,671 positive cases. There were 23,387 test results reported to the department through 10 p.m., Sept. 4. These results represent the total number of tests administered.
				There are 7,760 total deaths attributed to COVID-19, an increase of 18 new deaths reported.
				There are 75 cases who have a positive viral antigen test and are considered probable cases and 646 patients who have a positive serology test and either COVID-19 symptoms or a high-risk exposure.
				There are 1,589,081 patients who have tested negative to date.
				In nursing and personal care homes, there are 21,346 resident cases of COVID-19, and 4,587 cases among employees, for a total of 25,933 at 945 distinct facilities in 61 counties. Out of our total deaths, 5,238 have occurred in residents from nursing or personal care facilities.
				Approximately 9,861 of our total cases are among health care workers.
				As Labor Day weekend approaches, the Wolf Administration is reminding Pennsylvanians to avoid large gatherings and to wear masks around other people to help prevent further spread of COVID-19. Mass gatherings, as defined in the Secretary of Health&rsquo;s Order, are gatherings of 25 or more people indoors and 250 or more for outdoors.
				An increasing number of COVID-19 cases reported attending a gathering when completing their initial case investigation to determine where they went and who they came in contact with while they were infectious. Of the 4,536 confirmed cases reported between Aug. 16 and Aug. 22, 47 percent or 2,114 individuals answered the question as to whether they attended a mass gathering or other large event. Of the 47 percent, nearly 13 percent or 272 individuals answered yes to whether they attended a mass gathering or other large event 14 days prior to onset of symptoms.
				The numbers above highlight business settings and mass gatherings as possible sites for transmission. With less than half of those asked about what types of businesses they visited or if they attended a mass gathering responding to the question, the department is reminding Pennsylvanians that it is essential that people answer the phone when case investigators call and to provide full and complete information to these clinical professionals.
				If you do gather with a small group of close friends or family, it is important to take precautions to keep everyone safe from COVID-19. If you plan to host a small gathering or barbeque, please follow the following recommendations to protect you and your guests:
				Greet guests by a smile and/or wave, do not hug or shake hands;
				Encourage guests to bring their masks, or have masks to provide for those who forgot;
				Clean and disinfect touched surfaces frequently;
				Keep tables and chairs spread out in order to allow for proper social distancing;
				Wash hands before eating or handling food; and
				Assign individuals to prepare or serve food to avoid further spread of germs.
				If you have traveled, or plan to travel, to an area where there are high amounts of COVID-19 cases, it is recommended that you stay at home for 14 days upon return to Pennsylvania. For the most up-to-date list of states please visit the Department of Health&rsquo;s website to find COVID-19 information for travelers.
				Pennsylvanians are encouraged to continue to practice social distancing and other preventive measures, including washing your hands frequently, covering coughs and sneezes, cleaning surfaces often, wearing a mask and staying home if you are sick to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.

36 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Luzerne County; 963 statewide