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WILKES-BARRE &mdash; The Department of Health reported Sunday that there were 73 new cases of COVID-19 in Luzerne County and five new deaths.
				That brings the total number of confirmed cases in Luzerne County to 7,104; the death count is at 230.
				Neighboring Lackawanna County has 4,369 cases and 226 deaths; Monroe County has 2,598 cases and 135 deaths.
				The Department of Health confirmed that there were 4,476 new cases confirmed on Monday, in addition to 5,199 new cases reported Sunday, Nov. 15, for a two-day total of 9,675 additional positive cases of COVID-19 &mdash; bringing the statewide total to 269,613.
				There are 2,440 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19. Of that number, 531 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.
				Maggi Mumma, Deputy Press Secretary at the Department of Health, said in the last 10 days (November 6-16), there have been 121 new long-term care facility resident cases, and 11 new long-term care facility staff cases in Luzerne County.
				&ldquo;This is community spread,&rdquo; Mumma said. &ldquo;It why it is so essential that people take the steps they can to prevent the spread of the virus. Those steps include people can wash their hands, people can wear a mask, people can social distance, people can avoid large gatherings. We are all interconnected and must take steps to protect one another.&rdquo;
				Statewide percent positivity for the week of Nov. 6&#8211;Nov. 12 stood at 9.6%. Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said the positivity rate jumped from last week&rsquo;s 7 percent.
				&ldquo;All Pennsylvanians must answer the call to prevent the spread of the virus,&rdquo; Levine said, reiterating her statement of Friday. &ldquo;We need people to answer the call &mdash; wear masks, avoid small and large gatherings, social distance and use virtual means to gather when possible.&rdquo;
				Levine also said it is time to end the &ldquo;politicalization&rdquo; of the virus.
				&ldquo;The election is over and the people have spoken,&rdquo; Levine said. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s time to come together and as we do, we will be able to stop the spread.&rdquo;
				Levine also urged businesses &ldquo;to work with us&rdquo; &mdash; enforce the number of people allowed in (50 percent of capacity), and mandate mask wearing.
				Levine noted that with the weather getting colder, more people are moving inside. Outside dining is not going to be an option.
				Levine also said it would be &ldquo;prudent&rdquo; for college students to be tested before they head home for the holidays. If they test positive, they are asked to quarantine.
				State report
				The number of tests administered within the last 7 days between Nov. 9 and Nov. 15, is 366,285 with 35,355 positive cases. There were 43,106 test results reported to the department through 10 p.m., Nov. 13, and 60,982 test results reported to the department through 10 p.m., Nov. 14.
				As of 11:59 p.m., Saturday Nov. 14, there were 38 new deaths and as of 11:59 p.m., Sunday Nov. 15, there were 13 new deaths reported for a total of 9,325 deaths attributed to COVID-19.
				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 8,655 individuals who have a positive viral antigen test and are considered probable cases and 644 individuals who have a positive serology test and either COVID-19 symptoms or a high-risk exposure.
				There are 2,573,621 individuals who have tested negative to date.
				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.
				In nursing and personal care homes, there are 29,774 resident cases of COVID-19, and 6,141 cases among employees, for a total of 35,915 at 1,158 distinct facilities in 63 counties.
				Out of our total deaths, 6,070 have occurred in residents from nursing or personal care facilities.
				Approximately 13,527 of our total cases are among health care workers.

73 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in county; 9,675 statewide over 2 days