The number of people sickened by COVID-19 is growing daily in the region.

McKean County’s COVID-19 case count jumped by 25 cases with Thursday’s reporting, to a total of 327, and one additional COVID-19 death was reported.

McKean, Elk and Potter counties have each reported 3 deaths.

Elk County saw an increase of 10 cases to 393, Potter, 5 additional cases to a total of 123, while Cameron County remained at 17.

Bradford saw the biggest jump, with an additional 15 confirmed and 2 probable cases, for a total of 125 confirmed and 24 probable cases. Kane had 1 additional case for 34 confirmed and 5 probable. Smethport had 2 additional cases for 24 confirmed and 1 to 4 probable. Lewis Run had one additional case for 9 confirmed and 1 to 4 probable. Duke Center had 1 additional case for 6 confirmed and 1 to 4 probable. Elsewhere in the county, Eldred is at 15 confirmed and 1 to 4 probable; Port Allegany, 12 confirmed, 1 to 4 probable; Turtlepoint, 7 confirmed; Ludlow, Cyclone and Crosby, 1 to 4 confirmed; and Derrick City, Gifford and Rixford, 1 to 4 confirmed, 1 to 4 probable.

In Elk County, St. Marys had 6 more cases for 185 confirmed and 15 probable; Ridgway had 1 more case for 46 confirmed and 13 probable; Kersey had 3 more cases for 16 confirmed and 1 to 4 probable cases.

In Potter County, Coudersport had 1 additional case for 38 confirmed and 5 probable; Shinglehouse had 1 additional case for 20 confirmed and 1 to 4 probable; Genesee had 1 additional case for 14 confirmed; and Galeton had 1 additional case for 20 confirmed.

As of Thursday, Elk County had one patient hospitalized due to COVID-19, while McKean County had one patient who was on a ventilator from COVID-19.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health indicated Thursday that there were 7,126 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 288,978. This is the highest daily increase of cases.

There are 2,904 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19. Of that number, 628 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.

The trend in the 14-day moving average of the number of hospitalized patients per day has increased by nearly 1,700 since the end of September.

As of late Wednesday, there were 116 new deaths reported for a total of 9,581 deaths attributed to COVID-19. Mask-wearing is required in all businesses and whenever leaving home. There are 10,594 individuals who have a positive viral antigen test and are considered probable cases and 643 individuals who have a positive serology test and either COVID-19 symptoms or a high-risk exposure.

The breakdown of positive cases by age group is as follows:

Of those who have tested positive to date the age breakdown is as follows:

Approximately 1% are ages 0-4; nearly 3% are ages 5-12; approximately 5% are ages 13-18; approximately 13% are ages 19-24; nearly 37% are ages 25-49; approximately 21% are ages 50-64; and nearly 20% are ages 65 or older.

The health department indicated there are 3 nursing home facilities in Elk County that have had COVID-19 cases, with 73 cases among patients, 30 among staff and one death. McKean County has 6 facilities that have had COVID-19 cases, with 9 patients and 13 staff. Potter County has had 2 facilities, and one case each with residents and staff.