In recent days, Allegheny County, much like the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, has seen a record number of COVID-19 cases.
Over 1,600 cases were reported in Allegheny County a 48-hour span, and the rate of positivity sits at 22%.
That rate, and number of positive cases is expected to increase as 2020 winds to an end.
In response to the record number of cases in the county, Allegheny County Health Director Dr. Debra Bogen issued a statement.
"Over the past 48 hours, record numbers of new cases were reported to the Health Department. The numbers and the rate of increase are alarming," Dr. Bogen said. "Sadly, we anticipate that the number of cases will continue to rise due to community spread, the holiday, and the expected delayed impact of mitigation efforts.
With the rising case count, comes a rise in number of individuals that require hospitalization.
Dr. Bogen noted that if this rate of cases continues, the hospital system in the county could become overwhelmed before the end of December.
"At this moment, we have enough staff and hospital capacity. However, if cases continue to rise at this rate, modeling predicts our healthcare system could be overwhelmed within a month."
The influx of new cases has also slowed the rate at which case investigators are able to reach everyone who has tested positive to contact trace.
Dr. Bogen urges anyone who has tested positive and is yet to receive a call from the Health Department, to stay home and notify close contacts, requesting they get tested and quarantine.
"If you have recently tested positive for the virus and have not been called by the Health Department, please stay home, isolate and call your close contacts to ask them to quarantine and get tested."
In the statement, Dr. Bogen urged everyone to follow Gov. Wolf's Stay at Home Advisory, and only go out if necessary.
