Record number of patients hospitalized at Mount Nittany for COVID-19

“While there are many measures we can take to be able to provide care for everyone who needs it at any time, it’s important to understand there are limits to this."

• Anne Danahy
  BioRecent Stories

  

  Anne Danahy has been a reporter at WPSU since fall 2017. She was a reporter for nearly 12 years at the Centre Daily Times in State College, Pennsylvania, where she earned a number of awards for her coverage of issues including the impact of natural gas development on communities.
  
  She earned a bachelor's degree in communications from Antioch College in Yellow Springs, Ohio, and a master's in media studies from Penn State.
  
  She worked as a writer at Penn State, including with the Earth and Environmental Systems Institute. She’s a volunteer host at C-NET, Centre County's government-education access station.

 Min Xian / WPSU

Mount Nittany Medical Center confirmed its first patient hospitalized for COVID-19 April 1.

(State College) — The number of patients hospitalized for COVID-19 broke new records both statewide and in State College Wednesday. The Pennsylvania Department of Health reported Wednesday that more than 5,500 people were hospitalized with COVID-19.

The number of patients being treated at Mount Nittany Medical Center for COVID-19 also reached a new high on Wednesday. According to the hospital, it was treating 46 inpatients, aged 43 to 95.

“While there are many measures we can take to be able to provide care for everyone who needs it at any time, it’s important to understand that there are limits to this,” said Dr. Nirmal Joshi, Mount Nittany Health’s chief medical officer.

The hospital encourages everyone to take safety measures, including staying home as much as possible, practicing social distancing and wearing a mask.

Min Xian / WPSU

A COVID-19 collection site at Mount Nittany Medical Center in State College, Pa.

In Blair County, 142 COVID patients were hospitalized Wednesday, according to the state Department of Health website.

After the recent rapid increase in cases, the state is offering free testing in several counties, including Warren and Clinton. Testing starts Thursday and runs through Monday. No appointment is required. They’ll take place from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Castanea Picnic Grounds in Lock Haven and the Warren State Hospital in Warren.

Overall, there are 445,317 known cases of COVID-19 in Pennsylvania.

Mosaic is WITF’s home for all things arts, culture and lifestyle.

We spotlight and uplift the creators around us, featuring amazing artists, musicians, authors, chefs, dancers, designers, photographers, and more.

Watch Now